Sustainable Flower Farmer Takes Home Top Honour: 2023 VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Winner announced

Glenmore entrepreneur Nikki Davey has been awarded the 2023 VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her trail-blazing approach to sustainable farming practices in the flower industry.

The prestigious Award was presented at a ceremony in Melbourne by Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Regional Development Michaela Settle.

The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, supported by long-term platinum sponsor Westpac, is Australia’s leading Award in empowering and celebrating the inclusive and courageous leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries, businesses, and communities, now and into the future. It is an opportunity to celebrate the forward thinking, courageous leaders who come from industries that represent some of the regional and remote areas of Victoria.

Ms Davey, co-founder of Grown Not Flown, was selected for her work in creating a digital platform that supports the slow flower movement by connecting flower consumers with local and sustainable producers. The slow flower movement aims to encourage sustainable farming practices by reducing flower miles, and encourage consumers to buy from the many local small-scale producers who make up the Victorian flower industry.

As part of the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award, Ms Davey receives a $15,000 grant from Westpac to further support her project as well as the opportunity to undertake a professional development course of her choosing. Ms Davey will go on to represent Victoria at the AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award Gala Dinner and National Announcement in Canberra later in the year where the National Winner will be awarded an additional $20,000 Westpac grant and the National Runner Up, an additional $15,000.

“I feel so incredibly grateful for this opportunity to be able to share our Grown Not Flown story and platform with everyone, and to help promote and raise awareness around flower miles, slow flowers and supporting local,” Ms Davey said.

“As a self-funded startup, often progress can be very slow and so this Westpac grant will be an absolute game changer for us and what we can achieve in the next 12 months.

“I’m so excited and proud to be joining an Alumni community of supportive and strong women who are real change makers within their rural communities.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Regional Development Michaela Settle commended Ms Davey and fellow finalists Grace Larson, Neha Samar, Michelle Daga and Sarah Duncanson for their brilliant work and ongoing contribution to rural and regional communities in Victoria.

“Victoria is proud to congratulate the 2023 Victorian finalists, all of them showcase the powerful impact women have across our regional communities,” said Ms Settle.

All five women will now join a 300-strong alumni which provides a network to support their future endeavours.

AgriFutures Managing Director John Harvey hopes Ms Davey’s achievements will inspire other determined and forward-thinking female leaders working in rural, regional and remote communities across Victoria for years to come.

“The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award provides these women a platform to build on their leadership skills to drive change in rural and regional Australia.”, Mr Harvey explained.

“It’s exciting to see Nikki already making such a positive influence in her industry and community,” he said.

Supporting these sentiments, Gayle Isles, Senior Relationship Manager for Platinum Sponsor Westpac, said the Awards reflect the heart of rural industries in Victoria and across the nation.

“Creating and advancing opportunities for rural Australia and our local communities is at the core of what makes our regions the backbone of our economy and our rural industries a success. On behalf of Westpac Agribusiness, I commend all the inspiring women who took the initiative to apply for the Rural Women’s Award and congratulate Nikki for being awarded the Victorian State Winner,” said Gayle.

For more information about the Awards, head to agrifutures.com.au/rwa.

ENDS

Photo:

L to R: Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture and Regional Development Michaela Settle (Government of Victoria), Nikki Davey (2023 VIC Rural Women’s Award Winner), Regional General Manager, Central VIC/Gippsland, Regional & Agribusiness Mandy Hehir (Westpac).