Farming innovator makes history with award win

THE coveted Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year title has, for the first time, been awarded to a female grower.

Winner Lorraine Stopford with her brother Lawrence Masasso (left), wife of the late Charlie Nastasi, Lucy, and Lorraine’s parents Joe and Betty Masasso.

Lorraine Stopford from Rocky Creek Orchards was presented with the prestigious award at a gala dinner held by FNQ Growers at the Mareeba International Club on Friday evening.

Lorraine, who is part of her family’s farming operation, was humble in her acceptance speech.

Describing herself as not a farmer, but rather a “farmer’s daughter”, Lorraine dedicated the win to an effort by her whole family, saying the award belonged to her mother, father and brother.

In her nomination, Lorraine was described as a key player in Rocky Creek Orchards’ success growing avocadoes, mangoes, lychees and passionfruit at Tolga, Dimbulah and Mutchilba farms.

“Her foresight and vision in supporting her family’s expansion has made a significant contribution to the operation’s success,” the nomination reads.

“One of ger greatest achievements to date has been opening up an export market to Hong Kong for Shepard avocadoes from the Atherton Tableland.

Lorraine has also helped develop a trainee program working with local high schools to promote the diverse opportunities in horticulture.

Lorraine beat out three other nominees for the biannual Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year award.

Oscar Bugno, of Bug’s Citrus and JDL Dimbula, was nominated in recognition of his role as chairman of the NQ Co-Op Ltd, a grower-owned organisation formed in 1947 which has guided through some challenging periods.

Josh Maunder, of Ausex Fruit at Bellenden Ker, was nominated for the modern approach he has taken to his orchard, using high density planting to deliver efficiencies and improve harvest accuracy and quality control as well as his role in developing best management practice for horticulture.

Gina Galati, of Galati Farming at Biboohra, was nominated for her role in modernising the family farm using innovation including a state-of-the-art computerised gassing system in the fruit packhouse to deliver efficiencies, and reduce time to market for the produce, yielding savings on input costs and labour.

The evening also raised money for the FNQ Growers organisation and Mareeba Friends of the Hospital Foundation, with $13,950 raised.