Vegetable growers from all over Australia will have the opportunity to learn about environmentally-friendly production when the EnviroVeg Program exhibits at this year’s AUSVEG National Convention taking place from 30 May to 1 June 2013 at Jupiters Gold Coast. 

The Convention is expected to attract 1,000 delegates this year including growers, supply chain members and leading political figures. In a stellar speaking line up, South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon will be speaking to growers on the issue of imports, while Coles’ Head of Merchandise John Durkan join a host of leading industry speakers. 
Vegetable growers will have the opportunity to meet leading soil management expert Dr Doris Blaesing at the EnviroVeg booth in the Trade Show Pavilion and discuss issues around soil heath and land management.
“EnviroVeg aims to put our growers in touch with experts on different areas of their operations so they can put sustainable growing systems in place,” said AUSVEG Environment Coordinator Mr Jordan Brooke-Barnett. 
EnviroVeg is the largest environmental management program of its type in agriculture, with its members comprising 40 per cent of Australia’s total vegetable producing land. 
“We have seen rapid uptake in the Program in recent years as growers become more aware of environmental issues and with the rising costs of fuel and energy, efficiency is becoming increasingly important to our growers,” said Mr Brooke-Barnett.
“EnviroVeg is all about providing an opportunity for growers to learn what is out there for them in terms of environmentally-friendly and best practice production techniques and the EnviroVeg booth will be a great way to reach an expected 1,000 members of the vegetable industry,” said Mr Brooke-Barnett. 
The exhibition will also include display of a number of products and services available to growers to improve the sustainability of their business practices.
“In recent times, key industry suppliers such as crop protectant companies have responded with a number of environmentally-friendly products such as biological crop protectant products, so a presence at the Convention is a great way to make growers aware of the range of products and services available to them,” said Mr Brooke-Barnett.
AUSVEG is the leading horticulture body representing Australia’s 9,000 vegetable and potato growers. 
EnviroVeg is funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the National Vegetable Levy and matched funds by the Australian Government.
 
Further information on EnviroVeg is available at www.enviroveg.com. 
ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Jordan Brooke-Barnett, Environment Coordinator, AUSVEG 
Email: jordan.brooke-barnett@ausveg.com.au, Phone: (03) 9822 0388, Mobile: 0404 772 308