A third-generation orchardist from Harcourt has been named winner of the 2015 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Victorian Rural Women’s Award.
Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Jaala Pulford announce Katie Finlay as winner of the prestigious award at a ceremony at Parliament House in Melbourne.
An independent panel selected Ms Finlay from a field of five outstanding finalists for her commitment to the sustainability of primary industries and passion for encouraging connections between consumers and farmers.
Ms Finlay will receive a $10,000 bursary to help implement her proposed project to develop a strategy providing farmers with better opportunities to market their produce and sell direct to consumers.
Ms Finlay, husband Hugh and family have about 5000 stone and pomme fruit trees, with more than 90 varieties, at Mt Alexander Fruit Gardens.
She is very passionate about sharing her experiences of organic and sustainable fruit production and has developed the Grow Great Fruit Program for home fruit growers. She also wants to give farmers more control of their supply chain, for example by taking part in farmers’ markets and using social media to share their stories, develop communities around their farms and drive demand.
She plans to use the bursary and skills she learns at the highly-regarded Australian Institute of Directors’ Course in Canberra to drive her program forward.
Following today’s announcement, Ms Finlay will join other state and territory winners when the national award winner will be announced in Canberra later this year.
Ms Pulford said the award acknowledged the leadership role women play in primary industries and rural areas and helps them continue to drive innovation in Victoria’s agricultural and rural communities.
“The passion and tenacity of these women is infectious. We encourage all the finalists to use the award as a platform to get their great ideas off the ground.”
