I recently had the opportunity to visit the property of the 2006 NSW Farmer of the Year, Gary Johnston. The NSW Department of Primary Industries and the NSW Farmers’ Association, with the Johnston family, hosted a magnificent field day showcasing Gary’s property “Merriment” near Forbes.

I, like the others who attended, were impressed with Gary’s knowledge about irrigation, environmental management and marketing. The Farmer of the Year Award recognises our leading farmers. Gary is a worthy recipient of the 2006 Farmer of the Year title.

Organics

Recently, I travelled to Bathurst to launch the State Government’s $250,000 Organic Industries Initiative at the Bathurst Agricultural Research and Advisory Station.

The $250,000 Organic Industries Initiative includes the creation of two new organic agriculture positions and new infrastructure at Bathurst.

I also announced the creation of the NSW Organic Ministerial Advisory Council that will advise me on important
matters facing the NSW organic industries and help harness the full potential of prospering organic markets.

The NSW organic farm gate value is $29 million and the national retail value is about $300 million.

Drought

Since my last column the drought has hardly eased. The September report shows 92 per cent of NSW is in drought.

A dry, warmer than average autumn across NSW didn’t deliver much-needed relief. Now farmers are pinning their hopes on a decent wet spring.

Brand Orange

Signature wines from the Orange region are just one of many initiatives set to flow from a new three-year State Government initiative aimed at creating new opportunities for the Orange wine industry and its associated food and tourism sectors.

The Brand Orange regional development strategy was recently launched, signalling a new approach to market development for one of the Orange region’s most valuable industries – wine.

Brand Orange focuses on achieving greater recognition and opportunities for local wines through a development strategy that also integrates food and tourism.