Victoria’s East Gippsland region is gearing up once again to host Australia’s biggest vegetable field day event, and this year is extra special with the event incorporating the Tenth International Spinach Conference. This article shares some highlights from the East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days 2020, which are taking place from 7-8 May.

The location

Despite the vast area of land that has been burnt by the recent bushfires, the site of the East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days (EGVID) 2020 – Lindenow – has not been directly impacted.

Planning for the events of May 2020 is well underway, and the week is now of paramount importance to local communities, the regions and the economy as they recover from the impact of the fires.

Lindenow is the geographic heart of Gippsland and one of Australia’s most productive vegetable growing areas. EGVID 2020 will be bigger and better than the 2017 event, which grew out of the inaugural East Gippsland Leafy Vegetable Demonstration Day, held in 2014.

The people

These events were set in motion by Andrew Bulmer and Stuart Grigg, and 2020 will be organised by a committee made up of representatives from Bulmer Farms (Andrew Bulmer and Daniel Hammond); Stuart Grigg Ag-Hort Consulting (Stuart and Kate Grigg); Food and Fibre Gippsland (Shayne Hyman and Bonnie Dawson); and Elders (Noel Jansz).

The event

According to one attendee, 2017 was “a wonderful event and a huge contribution to the vegetable industry.”

The purposes of EGVID are:

  • To enable Australia’s top 10 seed companies to showcase their new, favourite and innovative varieties for growers and the industry at large.
  • To provide a learning opportunity for growers and industry representatives to view exhibits from a broad range of service providers and research initiatives.
  • To network, do business and celebrate being a vital part of the food chain in Australia and abroad.

The 2020 events are all about Innovation, Future Farmers, Collaboration, Food Security, Sustainability and Wellbeing. They shine a bright spotlight on the great work of Australia’s vegetable industry.

At this year’s event, there are:

  • Eleven seed sites.
  • For the first time, nine agricultural chemical demonstration sites.
  • Industry supply chain companies exhibiting in the Supply Chain Hub. • Machinery trial and exhibition area.
  • Dynamic speaker sessions to highlight improved practices and new products. The site is now double the size of the 2014 event, and with the inclusion of the Tenth International Spinach Conference, this year’s event is expecting more than 1,000 attendees – so come along for an exciting ride! On Thursday 7 May, delegates are invited to an Industry Networking Dinner.

The region: Where to stay

Accommodation options in the service town Bairnsdale are filling up fast. Don’t hesitate to book yours in. Alternatively, look further afield at Stratford, Maffra, Sale, Paynesville and Metung. And don’t forget B&B accommodation!

Find out more

Please contact VegNET Extension Support Officer Bonnie Dawson from Food and Fibre Gippsland on 0407 683 938 or email info@egvid.com.au.

East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days and Tenth International Spinach Conference is a strategic levy investment under the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation using the vegetable research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.

Project Number: VG19001