Three Gippsland dairy farming businesses received awards at the 2024 Food and Fibre Gippsland Awards recently.
The Sustainability Award, sponsored by Bass Coast Shire Council and West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority, was presented to Wilandra Farms.
Wilco Droppert and Sandra Jefford, of Wilandra Farms, have established a certified organic dairy operation at Clydebank.
Wilco and Sandra have strong environmental stewardship ethics, demonstrating organic and regenerative farming practices and planting of thousands of trees for shelter and shade for their cattle.
They have also incorporated some groundbreaking irrigation and energy use changes on their property.
Dairy News Australia has previously published stories about Wilandra Farms, visit: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/keeping-their-eyes-firmly-fixed-on-the-long-game/
The Young Agribusiness Leader of the Year, sponsored by the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation, was presented to Nicole Saunders from The Berry Dairy.
Nicole and Brendan have diversified their agribusiness, adding to their two dairy farms with a pick-your-own strawberry farm and café.
The horticulture venture has added to the destination tourism assets of Wellington Shire.
The Berry Dairy is also a food to plate education experience for community groups.
As part of her award, Nicole is eligible to complete the ARLP’s TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program.
Their story was published previously by Dairy News Australia, visit: https://www.dairynewsaustralia.com.au/news/dairy-takes-a-sweet-detour/
The Berry Dairy was also recently listed a finalist in the Gippsland Business Awards 2024 – Tourism Activities and Attractions category.
Ferial Zekiman from Maffra Cheese accepted the Food and Fibre Gippsland Board Award, in recognition of an outstanding, long-term contribution to the food and fibre industry in Gippsland.
Ferial established Maffra Cheese Company in 1991 at Tinamba, and she has taken it on to win multiple awards for hand-crafted cheddar and soft cheeses.
All cheese is made in the factory, located on the same farm as the Holstein-Friesian herd Ferial breeds and milks, making Maffra cheese a true paddock to plate product.
Maffra Cheese Co’s latest awards include two gold medals and a bronze medal at the International Cheese and Dairy Awards United Kingdom.
The gold medals were awarded to the Maffra Cheese cloth-aged cheddar (Best Australian Cheddar Cheese category) and farmhouse brie (Best Australian Soft/Semi-soft Cheese category).
The bronze award was given to the Maffra Cheese vintage club cheddar (Best Australian Cheese – any variety category).
The Gippsland Food and Fibre Awards showcases the region’s $7 billion agricultural sector, by acknowledging, celebrating and rewarding food and fibre champions.