Celebrating the best in SA agriculture
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
South Australia’s most inno
Now in its 121st year, the Agriculture Bureau of South Australia will reward some of South Australia’s top primary producers at its annual Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards on Tuesday, 13 October.
Hosted by Advisory Board of Agriculture Chair, Neville Ferme, the awards include the presentation of the Services to Primary Production Award, the Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers, and for the first time, the Rural Youth Bursary.
Mr Ferme said the Services to Primary Production Award recognised an exceptional contribution to agriculture in SA, with nominees chosen by Agricultural Bureau Branches from across the state.
Last year’s winner was Loxton irrigator and grape grower Lindsay Dowley, who was instrumental in the rehabilitation of the Loxton Irrigation Trust and is now its presiding officer.
Those vying for the award this year are Neil Cordon from Port Lincoln and Phil Roberts from Coomandook.
“Our two nominees this year are outstanding contributors and both worthy of the award,” Mr Ferme said.
New to the awards this year is the Rural Youth Bursary. The $5000 grant will be presented to a rural young person aged up to 30 to help them further their chosen careers.
“This award is about supporting our rural youth get the skills and experience necessary to assist their communities thrive,” Mr Ferme said.
“It will be presented every year for the next eight years and has been made possible because of funds from the former South Australian Rural Youth Movement.”
The finalists for the Rural Youth Bursary are Christopher Crouch from Wandearah, Abbey McKenna from Naracoorte, Penny Schulz from Coonalpyn and Sam Trengove from Clare.
The final award, the Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers, will also go to a young rural go-getter.
It will be awarded to a young farmer aged between 18 and 35, who has innovative, positive ideas to improve primary production in this state.
“The winner will be presented with $8000 to use towards a special project, which will ultimately benefit industry,” Mr Ferme said.
“Past winners have used the funding towards advancing a beekeeping business, upgrading production at a boutique winery, investigating precision agriculture and studying artificial insemination.”
Last year’s winner, Brook Seal, a young farmer from Kimba, used his bursary to trial sheep covers. He will present his findings at this year’s awards night.
This year’s finalists for the Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers are Jason Clothier from Naracoorte, Troy Fischer from Wasleys, Jason Schulz from Coonalpyn and Bill Trengove from Bute.
The Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards are sponsored by RSM Bird Cameron, the Advisory Board of Agriculture and The Stock Journal.
