Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
March 27, 2007
Today’s field day at an award
winning turf farm at Windsor is ancellent opportunity to
highlight agriculture’s value in the Sydney basin and
acknowledge the achievements of young farmers in New South Wales
(NSW), according to event organisers.
‘Sustainable farming in the Sydney
basin’ is the theme of today’s event, which is being held at the
winner of the 2006 NSW Young Farmer of the Year award, Greg
Miller’s property.
Jointly organised by the NSW
Farmers Association and
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI), the field day
gives farmers in the Sydney basin a chance to learn more about
the turf farming sector and learn how Greg has managed
challenges such as drought.
“Greg’s innovative approach to
managing his family business and sustainable farming earned him
the title of Young Farmer of the Year, and today gives him the
chance to share his skills with others in the industry,” NSW
Farmers Association President Jock Laurie said.
“Challenges such as drought,
natural resources management and identifying market
opportunities are all issues that relate to farmers across the
State including the Sydney basin.
“We hope today’s field day will
also encourage other young farmers to put their hand up and
apply for this year’s Young Farmer award.”
NSW DPI Deputy Director-General,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Renata Brooks, said agriculture in
the Sydney basin played an important role from both an economic
and food production perspective.
“The annual value of the Sydney
region’s agriculture production as it leaves the farm gate is
about $1 billion, and represents about 12 per cent of the
State’s annual production,” she said.
“The turf industry which Greg
works in is particularly competitive, with about 70 producers in
the Sydney region growing $80 million worth of turf each year –
about 51% from this region.”
The field day event is being held
10am -12noon today at Millers Turf Supplies, 107 Wilberforce
Road, Windsor. Water management, soil health, catchment ponds,
drought strategies and OH&S issues are all topics that will be
covered on the day.
Application forms for this year’s
Farmer and Young Farmer of the Year awards will be available.
The awards are also sponsored by
the Royal Agricultural Society and The Land. |
