Community & Business
19 July, 2023
Prestigious growers award nominations now open
WHO will be the Horticultural Farmer of the Year?
Nominations for the 2023 Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year are now open and locals are being encouraged to put forward worthy growers, with submissions set to close at the end of the month.
The prestigious award honours a horticultural grower who has demonstrated outstanding innovation and exceptional leadership in the Far North Queensland horticultural commodities.
The award is an initiative of peak advocacy body, FNQ Growers, and named in honour of the late Charlie Nastasi, an innovative mango grower from Biboohra, near Mareeba.
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said nominees should address award criteria in two key areas.
“The award seeks those growers who have demonstrated outstanding innovation in horticulture through the development of new crops, new growing methods or adoption of technology to deliver efficiency improvements across the supply chain,” he said.
“The award also seeks to recognise growers who have displayed exceptional leadership.
“This can be in organisations representing their respective horticultural commodities, key advocacy groups and community groups.
“Exceptional leadership can also include a grower’s influence or standing in an industry – outside official duties.”
Mr Moro said the region was rich with innovative farmers, many of which were leaders in their industries.
“Past winners have been drawn from as far north as Lakeland and south to Innisfail, and across horticultural commodities, which demonstrates the strength of innovation and leadership in our region,” he said.
Nominations can be emailed to secretary@fnqgrowers.com.au and close at the end of July.
A gala growers dinner will be held in September when the 2023 winner will be announced.
