Australia’s best in horticulture have been recognised at the Horticulture Awards for Excellence.

Nine winners were presented at the Hort Connections 2025 Gala Dinner in Brisbane, representing the best in production, research, education, marketing and community involvement.

“I congratulate all the winners of this year’s Horticulture Awards for Excellence for the contribution they have, and continue to provide, to Australia’s horticulture industry,” says AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote.

“I would like to recognise all the nominees in all the awards. While there can only be one winner in each category, all the nominees have made a massive industry contribution, and I want to assure them that this has not been forgotten or ignored.”

As the southern hemisphere’s “largest” horticulture industry conference, Hort Connections is jointly hosted by AUSVEG and the International Fresh Produce Association Australia-New Zealand. This year, 3900 delegates attended from around Australia, New Zealand, and the globe.

The federal government has committed to providing the conference $1.5 million over three years. According to AUSVEG, this funding ensures the vegetable industry will continue to have access to the latest and best information and technology to ensure it continues to provide Australian families with the freshest, and safest fresh produce.

Hort Connections will be held in Adelaide next year.

Horticulture Awards for Excellence 2025 winners:

• Syngenta Grower of the Year: Jeremy Haw, Hussey & Co, Victoria
• Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year: Craig Dingle, Kalfresh Vegetables, Queensland
• Bayer Researcher of the Year: Penny Measham, QLD Department of Primary Industries, Queensland
• Butler Market Gardens Environmental & Sustainability: Angela Candelaro, Tripod Farmers Group, Victoria
• UPL Tech & Innovation: Troy Qualischefski, Qualipac, Queensland
• Muirs Community Stewardship Award: Sam Licciardello, Orchard 1 Sixty, Western Australia
• Hort Innovation Exporter of the Year Award: Mark Kable, Harvest Moon, Tasmania
• NAB Women in Horticulture: Melita Jurgens, Vee Jay’s Kalfresh, Queensland
• VISY Industry Impact: Claire McClelland, Australian Fresh Produce Alliance
• Seeka Marketer of the Year Award: Sonia Gabauer, Driscoll’s Australia