Since 2006, AUSVEG has recognised fresh produce growers and future leaders in horticulture with the Young Grower of the Year award.

Winners of this award have championed the success of the industry and continue to show a commitment to innovation to help inspire the next generation of growers.

2019 Young Grower of the Year award recipient Daniel Hoffmann shares what has changed since he received his award, what he is doing today, and his plans for the future.

The world has changed dramatically in the 12 months since Daniel Hoffmann received the Corteva Young Grower of the Year award at Hort Connections.

It had been a busy 12 months for Daniel prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Last year, Daniel was recognised for his ongoing advocacy work on behalf of growers needing access to agricultural water in the Penfield Gardens region north of Adelaide. This was ultimately successful.

“I couldn’t believe it when I drove down the road and saw the pipes getting set up. The recycled water is nearly there, which is great,” Daniel says.

Winning the 2019 Corteva Young Grower of the Year award has given Daniel a voice in the South Australian vegetable industry.

“AUSVEG SA and its CEO Jordan Brooke-Barnett has helped so much with the recycled water situation for the small group of farms that are trying their best. We are all really grateful for that support,” Daniel says.

Once the recycled water plan was finalised, Daniel took a break before entering an agronomy role at Growers Supplies. He is relishing working in this new position and learning about different crops.

“I work with farms right across Virginia, the Adelaide Plains and into the Adelaide Hills. I absolutely love this work,” Daniel says.

“I’ve always loved growing things. While the business side of things didn’t agree so much at the time, I now get to be involved in so many different crops and trials as well as helping growers where I can. It’s awesome.”

Although Daniel’s career has branched out, his own farm remains viable – albeit in a smaller capacity.

“Our farm still grows plenty of vegetables for us and the community at the farmers’ markets. We keep things pretty simple now; growing what we need to, when we want to,” he says.

“I’ve always enjoyed growing my produce, but now I get to be involved in all sorts of different produce that is being grown. I’m exactly where I need to be.”

Click on each name to read the stories of five other previous Young Grower of the Year award winners: Andrew Bulmer, Danny Trandos, Erika Watson and Chris McLoghlin.

This article features in the spring 2020 edition of Vegetables Australia. Click here to read the full publication. 

Find out more

Hort Connections 2021 will be held from 7-9 June 2021 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

More details around next year’s Hort Connections will be released in the coming months, with registrations due to open in early 2021. For more information, please visit the Hort Connections website.