Agricultural scientist Dr Jessica Lye has been named this year’s 2016 Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation’s Victorian Rural Women’s Award.
Hailing from the vegetable industry, Dr Lye was selected by an independent panel for her work as the national manager of scientific affairs at AUSVEG.
Dr Lye will receive $10,000 for professional development, a scholarship for the Australian Institute of Directors’s Course in Canberra and will go into the national finals for Australian Rural Woman of the Year announced later this year.
Her project aims to enhance biosecurity preparedness for the vegetable and potatoes industries in Victoria, particularly for growers with language other than English (LOTE) backgrounds.
It is from this aim, she will do an overseas study tour to New Zealand, United States and South America to visit research institutions and growing operations to gain information on high priority pests and emerging pest threats.
Agriculture Minister Jaala Pulford announced Dr lye as the winner at a ceremony at Parliament House, Melbourne, today ahead of finalists Emily McVeigh and Karen Williamson.
“Victoria has a strong reputation as a producer of clean and safe vegetable produce – and we want that to grow,” Ms Pulford said.
“Through Dr Lye’s work , more growers will ahve the knowledge to take it to the next level to safeguard against pests and diseases.”
The State Government also announced it would be re-establishing the Rural Women’s Network.
