Griffith

How did you come to be a grower?
My mother’s side of the family were farmers in Italy so when my parents arrived in Australia and built their lives in Griffith, my mum was definitely the driving force behind starting the farm. And because of the soil here, which made for great farming potential, they started the citrus business as orange growers. Growing up seeing the commitment and passion put into orchards day in day out, I was drawn in very early and starting basically on the fields by the time I was 5 years old. 

What makes you proud/Passionate to be an Australian grower? 
I’m really proud to be an Australian grower supplying high quality Australian fruit that is used to produce fresh juice that is clearly recognised as Australian grown. For me, it’s important to support the local Australian fruit industry to ensure that families all over the country have access to fresh and delicious Australian grown fruit and juices. But really, it’s all just in the blood – I love farming. I love the challenge of growing the best quality fruit. 

We have a young growers’ program – what advice would you give the next generation of growers?
Take it from someone who’s stuck it out through all the tough times and know that perseverance and pride in what you do is crucial in this industry. So stick it out and keep at it and things will change for the better in the future and take pride in what you do. You just have to keep going. 

Do you work the growing business on your own, or do you work with the family? What role do they play?
I’m a husband to my beautiful wife Judith and a father of four. I work mainly on my own but the family are always there to support and help me after hours and weekends when there is an increase in workload. My 2nd son Andrew has shown an interest in carrying on the family farming, which, you know if that’s what he wants and genuinely passionate about also, then I’m all for it. 

I’m also glad to have my wife there every day. She’s a great sounding board and is often the voice of logic and reason.  We may not always agree on the same things but she is always supportive. Above all, Judith was the one who really inspired the farm we’re on today. 

People often think all fruits are created the same, but in reality, quality is hard to produce, can you tell us the hard work that goes behind the cultivation? 
Growing good quality fruit does not always happen because every year Mother Nature plays a big role and we’re very much at the mercy of the weather conditions. With that said, it means that the the return of quality is determined by the amount of effort put in. Knowing the correct timing of watering, fertilising and spraying is key and being able to adapt all of this around Mother Nature is the skill required. Growing is 7 days (and sometimes nights!) a week.