GOLD COAST, Australia – Queensland vegetable grower, Mr Matt Hood, was tonight presented with the prestigious Syngenta Grower of the Year Award at the 2013 AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner at Jupiters Gold Coast.

AUSVEG Chairman, John Brent, affirmed that the award was in recognition of the Rugby Farm Director’s generous donation of time and resources to his industry peers as one of Australia’s most successful growers.

“Matt is well-known for the field days he holds on his Lockyer Valley property to showcase innovative developments, as well as his passionate participation in industry forums. With an enthusiasm for sharing knowledge, he is entirely deserving of this award,” said Mr Brent.

AUSVEG is the leading horticulture body representing the interests of 9,000 Australian vegetable and potato growers.

Rugby Farm is one of the largest vegetable-growing operations in Australia, with a combined 10,000 acres of cropping land across the nation. The company produces lines such as baby corn, broccoli, capsicum, cauliflower, green beans, lettuce, sweet corn and wombok.
 
The Syngenta Grower of the Year award commends outstanding achievement across all aspects of vegetable and potato production, including growing, environmental management, staff management and quality of produce. Recipients are innovative, challenge convention, implement efficient practices on-farm and actively engage with the wider industry.

“The Grower of the Year Award is the pinnacle of the Awards for Excellence, and to reach this level and be recognised by the industry and your peers is certainly not an achievement to be modest about,” said Mr Brent.

The Award was presented by fellow Queenslander and Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon. Senator Joe Ludwig. 

Mr Brent noted that there had been an impressive amount of nominations across all award categories in 2013.

The 2013 AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner was held at Jupiters Gold Coast, Queensland, on Saturday 1 June, and honoured growers and other members of the Australian vegetable and potato industries for outstanding achievements in their respective fields. 

The event – the biggest in Australian horticulture – saw an approximate 1,000 delegates in attendance. 

For official photos of winners or the awards ceremony, please contact the AUSVEG media contact below.

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: William Churchill, Communications and Public Affairs Manager, AUSVEG
Ph: (03) 9822 0388, Mob: 0411 166 748, Email: william.churchill@ausveg.com.au.