VEGETABLE grower Anthony De Ieso will by flying the South Australian flag at horticulture's National Awards for Excellence next month, after being announced as a finalist in the Young Grower of the Year Award.
The national award aims to honour growers aged 35 and under who show a commitment to innovation, and who have a proven track-record of dedication to their community and the broader agriculture industry.
Thirty-year-old Mr De Ieso, who works for Thorndon Park Produce, said he planned to make the most of the experiences that came with being a young grower nominee.
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"I feel very humbled and honoured to be nominated. It's overwhelming to know that the work you have put in has been recognised on such a large scale," he said.
"I'm really looking forward to representing SA growers and making the most of the opportunities the nomination might bring."
The National Awards for Excellence will be presented during next month's Hort Connections conference in Melbourne.
Ausveg manages the awards, and its chief executive officer James Whiteside said the Corteva Young Grower of the Year Award was a keenly-watched category.
"We need to recognise the leaders of tomorrow and acknowledge the talent, innovation and passion of young people who are choosing horticulture as the industry to commit their career to," Mr Whiteside said.
In addition to Mr De Ieso, finalists in the 2019 Corteva Young Grower of the Year Award include:
- Christopher Maisel, Rocky Top Farms, Dimbulah, Qld
- Daniel Jackson, Jackson Agricultural Company, Beerwah, Qld
- John Hearman, Hearman Ag Orchard and Nursery, Donnybrook, WA
- Josh Langmaid, Langmaid Harvesting, Forth, TAS
- Michael Evans, Mulgowie Farming Company, Bairnsdale, Vic
- Stephanie Corrigan, Corrigans Produce Farms, Clyde, Vic
- Stephanie Tabone, Kalfresh, Kalbar, Qld.
