Nikki Davey jokes she’s not a pure farmer – she will be able to’t repair a fence and he or she does not like going outdoors on a windy day.
Instead it is her ingenuity and daring imaginative and prescient for sustainable produce that is earned her the nationwide Rural Women’s Award.
Ms Davey, from Glenmore in Victoria, is a co-founder of Grown Not Flown, an app that connects customers with their native flower farms.
The digital platform is designed to cut back “flower miles” from imported blooms, whereas additionally supporting rural and regional economies.
“Simple solutions can have a huge impact,” Ms Davey stated whereas accepting the AgriFutures award at Parliament House in Canberra on Tuesday evening.
“We have an opportunity to revolutionise how we think about and shop for seasonal, locally-grown flowers and produce not only now, but into the future.”
The flower farmer stated she hoped the app would encourage customers to have fun the origin of their bouquets in the identical manner many embrace native meals.
“We truly believe that the future is small, but in the best way possible.”
Since its launch two years in the past, Grown Not Flown has attracted 3500 customers in 30 nations, with listings for greater than 1000 growers.
The runner-up prize was awarded to Michelle Leonard, the director of regional arts and music program Moorambilla Voices.
Ms Leonard, who was born in Coonamble, western NSW, runs musical workshops for kids in rural and distant elements of the state, culminating in excursions, recordings and large-scale choir performances.
The classically-trained musician stated the award acknowledged the facility artwork has in revealing the big potential of small communities.
“I thought initially I was creating an exceptional artistic vehicle and a choir and that I would be able to reach an artistic goal,” Ms Leonard stated.
“But it has become significantly more than that… regional children and youth and communities are capable of excellence and we should demand that in every single turn.”
Agriculture Minister Murray Watt stated rural Australia owed lots to girls, together with the institution of the Country Woman’s Association and the gap schooling program School of the Air.
“They are all testament to the grit and determination of rural women,” Senator Watt stated.
“When we’re planning the future of rural and regional Australia, we need women at the table.”
Other state finalists had been recognised for his or her work in sustainable development, youth re-engagement packages, grief help, First Nations meals schooling, and environmentally-friendly pet merchandise.
Nominations for the 2024 awards open on Wednesday.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
