Awards

As recognition of the group’s commitment and successes in delivering and communicating the outcomes of projects that promote sustainable farming and enhance the productivity and NRM outcomes, BIGG or its members have won the following industry awards:

• 2017: State Landcare Award

BIGG Technical Facilitator Brett Nietschke at the State Landcare Awards

In September 2017, BIGG won the Australian Government Excellence in Sustainable Farm Practices Award at the State Landcare Awards. The award recognises an ‘individual, group or organisation that has demonstrated excellence and leadership in implementing integrated land management practices to a farm property or properties that protect soils, water and vegetation’. See here for an article in The Leader newspaper about our award.

• 2017: James Graetz – SA citizen of the year & Mid-Murray council citizen award

In January 2017, Keyneton farmer James Graetz was awarded the SA citizen of the year in a ceremony at Government house in Adelaide. He also received the Mid- Murray council citizen award. James is a long time member of the Angaston Bureau, including recently serving as chairperson. See here for an article from The Leader newspaper about James award.

• 2016: State Resilient Australia Awards

James Graetz and Mark Grossman with Hon Minister Peter Malinauskas at the State Resilient Awards

In December 2016 BIGG/Angaston Ag Bureau received a Highly Commended Award for our Eden Valley bushfire recovery and resilience program. The program assisted producers to optimise the re-building of native pasture and livestock in the wake of the fire.
The State Resilient Australia Awards recognise initiatives that improve community safety and resilience, and empower individuals, communities and organisations in the preparation, recovery and response to emergency events.

• 2015: AW Howard Study Award

BIGG was successful in winning a study award (Travel Grant for Australian Graziers or Rangeland Pastoralists) for members Fiona and Ian Koch to travel to the US to learn about sustainable and conservation agriculture from conservation farming pioneer Gabe Brown. Read more in the Livestock Annual article.

• 2014: AgEx Sustainability Award

BIGG Chair Mark Grossman (centre) with AgEx Alliance Chair Trent Potter and DEWNR Chief Executive Allan Holmes at the presentation of the 2014 AgEx Sustainaiblity Award

In 2014 BIGG was awarded the Ag Excellence Alliance Sustainability Award by its peers (sponsored by the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources) as ‘an outstanding locally based grower group for its achievements in delivering greater NRM outcomes’. We received $2,000 for the award which we used to help develop our current strategic plan.

• 2013: Georgie Keynes – Innovative Young Landcare Leader Award

BIGG Technical Facilitator Georgie Keynes at the Landcare Awards

BIGG Technical Facilitator, Georgie Keynes was successful in winning the 2013 South Australian Westpac Agribusiness Innovative Landcare Leader Award, and was subsequently a finalist in the National Landcare Awards in 2014. Georgie was recognised for her passion for sustainable land management, technical and leadership skills, on-farm experience, and personal commitment.

• 2012: AgEx Encouragement Award

BIGG’s parent group, the Angaston Agricultural Bureau, received an Encouragement Award at the 2012 Ag Excellence Alliance Forum for its various activities, including a farming resource forum attracting over 70 attendees, which focussed on sustainable cropping and grazing systems.