Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year

In our ongoing support of the FNQ Growers organisation, we have been interviewing the nominees for the 2024 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year.  Taking the time to travel to farms throughout the FNQ region, film interviews with the nominees and then provide research on each to the judging panel, we have had a chance to get up close and personal with mango, papaya, citrus, sugar cane and lemon myrtle growers.  With four excellent finalists rising to the top of the list, we are very glad we are not a judge who has to pick the most innovative farming leader in the FNQ region this year. 
FNQ Growers President, Mr Joe Moro is impressed by the quality of finalists. “I believe that the horticultural industry in Far North Queensland has a very promising future with farmers like our finalists leading the way.” The 2023 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year was Lorraine Stopford from Rocky Creek Orchards on the Atherton Tablelands. Lorraine was the first woman to win the title and was honoured to showcase the role that women play on farm.
​“I am privileged to be acknowledged for my work on farm, but I am also very aware that we are a family business, and my success has been built on the work that we do as a family.”
All of the nominations this year agreed that family was integral to farming success. Nominations were received from throughout the Far North Queensland region. Four finalists have been selected from the nominations to be assessed by the judges for their innovation, industry leadership and community contribution. Finalists include Joe Zappala growing papaya and sugar cane, Deb Nucifora growing mangoes, Claude Santucci growing lemons and sugar cane, and Bradley Moulton growing lemon myrtle.
Joe Zappala has been growing sugar cane and papayas on the family farm near South Johnstone for nearly forty years. He has invested heavily in fertigation systems and crop rotation to improve water efficiencies and soil quality. Joe also works with Papaya Australia to grow seed supplies with breeding systems to develop superior plant varieties.
Deb Nucifora is active in the community as well as in her mango business. A hard-working volunteer and business manager, Deb attends every Mango industry conference and is always looking for opportunities to develop the Deb’s Gold Mangoes brand.
Claude Santucci has been a leader of the cane industry for many years and brings his experience as a mentor and community leader to the citrus industry. Claude believes that citrus growers can learn a lot from the cane industry particularly in the strategy to be price makers rather than price takers.
Bradley Moulton leads the team at Australian Native Products as the largest grower and processor of organic Lemon Myrtle in the country. With farms in the Mareeba area as well as over the border in Northern New South Wales, Bradley is working to make the farm as sustainable as possible and working to develop export markets.
FNQ Growers will announce the winner of the 2024 Charlie Nastasi Farmer of the Year Award at the black tie gala dinner on September 13thin Mareeba. Join them for the charity auction and entertainment by Shandell at the Mareeba International Club as they celebrate the very best of farming in Far North Queensland. Tickets for the dinner can be purchased through www.trybooking.com/COTDM

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