Agricultural Bureau of SA
MEDIA RELEASE
Wednesday, 24 October 2007
Adelaide Hills vegetable grower wins $7000 Peter Olsen Fellowship
A Gumeracha-based horticulturist, who is building an environmentally sustainable fresh vegetable enterprise through improved soil moisture monitoring techniques, was last night awarded the 2007 Agricultural Bureau of South Australia Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers.
Steven Newman, 34, has been involved in his family’s business Hills Fresh since 1995. As production manager, he is responsible for planning, growing and harvesting the company’s three main crops – cauliflower, leeks and lettuces.
The award was announced at the State dinner of the Agricultural Bureau of SA held in Adelaide on October 23.
Mr Newman said his aim was to grow vegetables at an environmentally sustainable and consistently high-quality level, while staying profitable.
“With the help of the fellowship, I will investigate the most suitable soil moisture monitoring equipment for the vegetables we are growing to get the best growth rate from the water we use,” he said.
“I also plan to use cover crops such as sorghum or oats to improve soil condition and the soil’s water holding capacity.”
Mr Newman said he hoped to share the knowledge gained from his trial work with other growers to assist them to maximise benefits while minimising water usage.
“I plan to use the fellowship grant to purchase moisture monitoring equipment and undertake trials on compost and cover crops to find out which ones hold the water in the most efficient manner,” he said.
Agricultural Bureau of South Australia President Mark Dennis said Mr Newman epitomised the type of forward-thinking young farmer the industry needs to encourage to ensure the State has a viable primary production sector.
“Steven clearly demonstrated that he has a plan for his farming enterprise that is mindful of the need to maximise water use efficiency, which is the overriding issue for all primary producers at the moment, whether dryland farmers or irrigators,” Mr Dennis said.
“His involvement in various grower improvement groups within industry also showed that he was very willing to share the knowledge he will gain from adopting new farming techniques.”
The fellowship, which is jointly sponsored by The Agricultural Bureau of SA and Primary Industries & Resources South Australia (PIRSA), is named in memory of Eyre Peninsula farming identity and Agriculture Bureau member Peter Olsen, who was one of eight people killed in the Whyalla Airlines plane crash in 2000.
Mr Olsen had served on the Advisory Board of Agriculture, the Bureau’s governing body, for three years before his death.
Open to people aged between 18 and 35 who have been farming for at least the past 12 months, the annual fellowship provides $7000 to pay for courses, study tours or special projects that will enhance the skills of young South Australian farmers.
Media contacts:
2007 Peter Olsen Fellowship for Young Farmers recipient
Steven Newman, Ph: 0417 861 942
Agricultural Bureau of South Australia President
Mark Dennis, Ph: 0428 844 250
