2023 Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards Dinner
25 September 2023 | Media Release
Attendees at the 2023 Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards Dinner at Howard Vineyard.
OUTSTANDING YOUNG LEADERS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN
AGRICULTURE RECOGNISED
The Agricultural Bureau of South Australia (Ag Bureau) celebrated the exceptional achievements of young leaders in agriculture at the 2023 Spirit of Excellence in Agriculture Awards Dinner, held on Friday, September 22, at Howard Vineyard. This event brought together over 110 dignitaries, guests, and Ag Bureau branch members for an evening of recognition and inspiration.
Emma Faint is presented with her Scholarship certificate by Tim Herrmann Team Leader Sustainable Soils, Department for Environment and Water (DEW) and Ag Bureau Ex-Officio.
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE SCHOLARSHIP WINNER: EMMA FAINT
(an apology to attend the Awards Dinner)
Emma Faint, a fourth-generation farmer from Steelton near Saddleworth, South Australia, was honoured with the 2023 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship, a $10,000 award sponsored by the Department for Environment and Water.
Emma has a keen interest in regenerative agriculture, particularly soil biology and its management in crop and pasture production, she has undertaken several courses in farming and soil management and is actively involved in her local women’s agricultural group, research trials and Landscape Board field days and workshops.
She plans to use the Scholarship to attend specialised courses on soil biology and biological nutrition management and visit two farms already implementing biological soil management. Emma will then apply her new knowledge to plan strategies for paddock trials on her family farm and actively promote her knowledge through her networks in the local community.
Emma Faint, Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Winner: "I think there is a quiet but steady increase of interested farmers in my generation and younger that are looking for better ways to farm. So, the more we can work together and show them that there are other options than buying the next 20L chemical drum, the momentum for change will snowball."
“Through expansion of my knowledge base and then application across trials on our farm, I can provide local producers with tangible examples of how they can farm in a proactive manner. The transition to more sustainable and regenerative agriculture is a process that can take several years but I am very excited to start that journey and be an example for famers in the district of what can be achieved.”
Janette Ridgway, Chair of the Ag Bureau: "For Emma there is always another way of doing things, she has the energy and a curiosity to learn, and this drives her to experiment and apply her learnings to her own farm and share with her networks in the community.”
“Emma is the spirit of progress and sustainability that is driving the future of South Australian agriculture."
The Department of Primary Industries & Regions SA, Dr Hannah Brown, Acting Executive Director SARDI, congratulating 2023 Rural Youth Bursary winner Lourens Coetzee.
RURAL YOUTH BURSARY WINNER: LOURENS COETZEE
Lourens Coetzee, a vineyard hand at Kaesler Wines in the Barossa Valley, was awarded the $5,000 2023 Rural Youth Bursary, sponsored by Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA).
Lourens has always had an interest in agriculture and after graduating from Urrbrae High School he secured employment at Kaesler Wines. His role has allowed him to immerse himself in sustainable farming practices under the guidance of Viticulturist/General Manager Nigel van der Zander, a leading advocate for sustainable viticulture.
He is currently studying a Bachelor of Viticulture with Charles Sturt University (CSU) online and plans to utilise the bursary to cover university fees and travel expenses to the CSU Wagga Wagga campus, where he aims to expand his knowledge.
After completing his degree, Lourens plans to travel to Chateau Maris in France, a winery that embraces sustainable viticulture. With his future in the Barossa region, he plans to demonstrate and share his knowledge with other wine grape professionals and hopes to see an uptake in sustainable practices and businesses in the region.
Lourens Coetzee, Rural Youth Bursary Winner: “Before I started implementing sustainable practices myself, I didn’t know that there was anything wrong with some traditional farming practices; I have realised that there needs to be major changes in the way that we farm today.”
"I want to become an industry leader by showing the importance and benefits of farming sustainably; Preservation is key, I believe."
Janette Ridgway, Chair of the Ag Bureau: “Lourens journey into viticulture has inspired him to learn more about how to modify management practices to be more sustainable for the long term.”
"Lourens’ passion is exactly what we need in South Australian agriculture. Focussing on a drive to sustainability and commitment to learning, he will undoubtedly make a lasting impact on the industry."
2023 Sustainable Agriculture Scholarship Finalists, Karl Zerner (Finalist – Angaston), Nicholas Mignanelli (Finalist – Myponga), The Department for Environment and Water, Mr. Matthew Ward, Director Information and Science, Troy Julyan (Finalist – Manoora), Agriculture Bureau of South Australian Board Member for Barossa & Light Corbin Schuster.
2023 Rural Youth Bursary finalists and winner. (L-R) The Department of Primary Industries & Regions SA, Dr Hannah Brown, Acting Executive Director SARDI, Stephanie Lokan (Finalist – Murray Bridge), Nicholas Mignanelli (Finalist – Myponga), Caleb Schaefer (Finalist – Loxton), Lourens Coetzee (Winner – Angaston) and Agricultural Bureau of South Australia Board Member for Riverland & Murraylands, Darren Kennedy.
