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.

Danny Trandos received the award in 2007 and again in 2013. In this column, Danny shares what has changed since he received his award, what he is doing today, and his plans for the future.

Danny Trandos is the only dual Young Grower of the Year award winner. Based 40 kilometres north-west of Perth in Neerabup, Danny is General Manager at Trandos Hydroponic Growers (THG). This is a position that he has held for 22 years – and it has evolved over that time.

When Danny won the 2007 Young Grower of the Year award, THG was a vastly different business.

“In 2007, our business was mainly focused on the production of hydroponic produce such as truss, cherry and cocktail tomatoes,” he says.

“Over the past two decades, our focus has shifted from production to propagation services. At THG, we specialise in grafting of various vegetables and reproduction of fruiting plants through cuttings and tissue culture.

“I am involved in researching new genetics and propagation solutions for the agriculture industry in different areas.”

Since winning his first award, Danny has witnessed the vegetable industry’s continual innovation and embrace of technology.

“Technology and computing power have improved, and agriculture is benefiting from it greatly,” he says.

Although Danny was proud to win the 2007 and 2013 Young Grower of the Year awards, his focus is on the present and what lies ahead.

“Awards and accolades are nice, but my relationship with growers and industry peers is most rewarding,” Danny says.

“The awards gave me some recognition and some ‘airtime’ but once the show is over, you need to continue to evolve, develop your passion and keep moving forward.”

Danny’s proudest achievement is assisting growers in reaching their crop potential. It is also what motivates him.

“All of us in the supply chain – from the seed producer to the customer – should all have the chance to benefit in terms of health, happiness and, most importantly, be able to operate sustainable businesses in the process,” Danny says.

This is a mantra Danny is developing in his own business.

“I think whichever direction we choose to take, we must remain mindful, transparent, take criticism, love our work and have humility,” he concludes.

Click on each name to read the stories of five other previous Young Grower of the Year award winners: Andrew Bulmer, Erika Watson, Daniel Hoffmann 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.