Hundreds of vegetable growers and industry experts have converged on the small Victorian town of Lindenow for the East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days.
Run over May 3-4, contingents travelled from other states, and even from as far away as the Netherlands, to join local growers. Organiser Shayne Hyman, from the East Gippsland Food Cluster says the event was a major success.
"I think the reason why 600-700 people turn out for a day and a half is because it is just about vegetables," Ms Hyman said. "So vegetable growers, and everyone connected with the industry supply chain from woe to go, has an interest in being here; we all make a living out of it. I think what's happening with the general field days is that they are becoming more like a family day out, whereas these targeted events are the place to do serious business."
The event featured networking opportunities, demonstrations, information sessions, and a gala dinner, which was attended by 330 people. Events included a spinach master class, a workshop on soil health as well as a number of industry stakeholders talking about innovations for the vegetable sector.
"This event is an innovation in itself," Ms Hyman said. "Out of what were the Werribee field days, on the other side of Melbourne, we have something that everybody thought was dead. There were so many highlights: the colour, the taste, the texture, and just the beauty of people walking around the field, and enjoying what it is that they are doing."
Vegetable growing is an integral part to the Gippsland community, with everything from corn to tomatoes and herbs, with seven of Australia's top salad producers calling the region home.
"We have pretty much got it all here - the rainfall is predictable and consistent, and the climate is moderate," according to Ms Hyman.
While this is a regional industry, organisers were left in awe at how far horticulture has come on the global stage, and just how much potential there is for Australian exports in the long term. Setting up a national horticulture consortium was also talked about as a possibility for the future.
"For years we have lamented the tyranny of distance in Australia, as we were a long way from anywhere else, but isn't it funny, nowadays that takes care of us in terms of food security - we are clean, we are green and remote," Ms Hyman said. "I don't think anybody has fully considered what the potential is here."
For more information:
Shayne Hyman
East Gippsland Food Cluster
Phone: +61417330081