Mt Barker, SA
CATEGORY: COMMUNITY AND PEOPLE (GROWER)
It is an unlikely passion but Scott Samwell’s goal is to get more people eating more vegetables.
As a brussels sprout grower, it’s in his best interests but his devotion to the vegetable eating cause is more than just boosting the bottom line of the family’s farm.
Scott spends at least two days a month working with industry bodies or hosting field days, giving his input into the future of his industry.
He strongly believes it is important to ensure levies collected from fellow growers are spent wisely, and holds roles with Horticulture Innovation to this effect.
Social media provides a platform for education, and the use of Instagram and Facebook as well as a farm website is allowing consumers to gain insights into the production of vegetables.
“We want to use our social media to explain about farming methods,” Scott says.
“We might take a photo of a spider or a ladybug, and then explain how important these are on the farm and how we try to keep them using Integrated Pest Management (IPM).”
He’s also doing his bit on a personal scale, hosting school student visits to the farm.
Scott is determined to provide a safe workplace for up to 40 staff, and an environment that is friendly and professional. Packing sheds have been upgraded to have a more consistent ambient temperature for working, staff hours are monitored to ensure they take breaks and staff are rewarded not only financially but socially.
At the end of the day, he wants to be able to produce the highest quality brussels sprouts and kalettes and for consumers to have a good understanding of the process involved.