Local women are taking on leadership roles in the horticulture sector, with the latest being the appointment this week of Bangalow Wholesale Nursery’s managing partner, Tracey Knowland (pictured), as chair of the Nursery and Garden Industry Association, Northern Rivers.
Employing more than 5,000 people and with annual farm gate sales in excess of $650m, the nursery industry is arguably the largest player in the agriculture/horticultural sector for the region.
‘The northern rivers is responsible for 33 per cent of the state’s nursery farm gate revenue and is viewed Australiawide as a premium area for plant production,’ said Ms Knowland.
‘In the past three years the prestigious industry awards “Best Large Production Nursery Australia”, “Best Small Production Nursery NSW” and “Award of Merit Best Small Production Nursery NSW” have all gone to nurseries in this region. This highlights the level of industry engagement in best-practice management across the board from water recycling to biosecurity to work health safety.’
Ms Knowland’s appointment follows on from the appointment last year of Maree Curran, owner of Eden at Byron Garden Centre, as president of the Nursery and Garden Industry NSW.
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