Potatoes South Australia names young industry leader
Awarded for his passion and commitment to the potato industry, Mr Hibberd, 32, will receive a scholarship to attend Rabobank’s prestigious Farm Managers Program - a week-long course designed to strengthen the operational and strategic skills of young farmers.
The Farm Managers Program is modelled on the highly-respected Rabobank Executive Development Program, a long-standing business development course for leading New Zealand and Australian farmers. 2015 marks the 10th year of Rabobank’s Farm Managers Program, with more than 300 young farmers from across Australia and New Zealand graduating from the program since its inception in 2006.
Mr Hibberd said he was looking forward to the opportunity to learn and develop some of his business and interpersonal skills through the week-long course. He is especially looking forward to learning about the post-farm gate retail business aspect of fresh produce, which he hopes to study in his time on the Farm Managers Program.
“It’s important to keep learning and keep growing – you need to broaden your mind and not just do what your grandparents or parents did because over time, things change,” Mr Hibberd said. “As a fourth-generation farmer, I am passionate about growing fresh food and running a successful farm business. I think it’s about setting an example for your kids by working hard and developing your skills as a manager and a leader”.
Mr Hibberd was raised on a family-owned and operated dry fruit farming business near Mildura in the Sunraysia region. With a longstanding family background in farming and cropping, he followed in his family’s footsteps and began working in local vineyards and on table grape farms. This eventually led him to take on a farm management role with Zerella Fresh in South Australia, to become a part of one of the largest producers of potatoes, carrots and onions in the country. Mr Hibberd has worked with Zerella Fresh for almost six years.
Highly involved in the strategic side of the potato growing and overall management of the 485 hectare Northern Adelaide Plains farm, Mr Hibberd has been conducting trials and benchmarking activities with several potato varietals that will help to lift production and ultimately increase profit margins for Zerella Fresh.
Rabobank State Manager for South Australia James Robinson said Mr Hibberd was an ideal recipient for the award due to his all-round experience and passion for the future of the industry. Ms Robbie Davis, CEO Potatoes South Australia agrees.
For more information:
Robbie Davis
Potatoes South Australia
Tel: +61 0427 084319
Jess Webb
Rabobank Australia & New Zealand
Tel: +64 0418 216 103