LYNNE Strong, a dairy farmer from Jamberoo, NSW, was announced as the winner of the inaugural Bob Hawke Landcare Award, at a gala awards dinner held last night as part of the 2012 National Landcare Conference in Sydney.
Former Prime Minister and Landcare advocate, the Hon. Bob Hawke AC, alongside Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, presented the award to Ms Strong.
Michelle Lauder, Assistant Secretary, Landcare branch, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said Ms Strong was a deserving recipient for the award.
“Lynne Strong has been recognised for individual excellence in sustainable agriculture, and her commitment to the Landcare ethic,” Ms Lauder said.
The award recognises an individual who has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to caring for the land and to sharing their knowledge to benefit others.
Ms Strong said that she was very pleased to have received such a significant award in recognition of her efforts.
“I am humbled and honoured,” Ms Strong said.
“To me, this award celebrates our farm's successful partnership between our cows, our landscape and all the phenomenal people on our team.”
Ms Strong will receive a prize of up to $50,000 to further develop her knowledge and skills in sustainable land management.
“The prize money offers my team the chance to stand loud and proud and get the message out that Australian farmers are dynamic, innovative, exciting and are underpinning every single Australian’s quality of life - and they deserve to be profitable,” she said.
The Strongs are seventh-generation dairy farmers. The success of their farming enterprise, Clover Hill Dairies - which produces six times the industry average of litres of milk per hectare - shows that sustainable agricultural practices can also be highly productive, profitable and efficient.
Farming practices at Clover Hill Dairies support both agricultural production and biodiversity enhancement. Ms Strong works from the ground up, focusing on maintaining good soil fertility, structure and grass cover to prevent erosion and soil loss.
Ms Strong’s experience in sustainable agriculture has led her to become a passionate industry advocate, working to encourage youth involvement in farming and Landcare.
“This award really does celebrate the great partnerships that we have formed ... and that we can produce affordable, nutritious, ethically produced food for Australians with as minimal impact on our natural resource base as we possibly can, ” said Ms Strong.
Colin Seis of Gulgong, NSW, was named the runner-up of the award, while Agnes Fox of Thursday Island, Queensland, received a high commendation. Both have made notable contributions to sustainable agriculture and Landcare within their regions.
A prominent figure in the Gulgong community, Mr Seis’s passion for sustainable agriculture led him to develop an innovative pasture cropping technique. His technique is now widely accepted and adopted across the industry.
Ms Fox has encouraged youth and community interest in gardening and healthy eating by creating a community garden on Horn Island. The garden has increased the availability of local fresh fruit vegetables to the community, which has helped to improve the diets and health of local Torres Strait Islanders.