Pioneers in running for recognition

MAREEBA citrus grower Con Iacutone and Lakeland farmer Peter Inderbitzin are also nominated for the Charlie Nastasi Horticultural Farmer of the Year Award.

Mr Iacutone was among the first growers to plant Murcott mandarins in the Mareeba region in the late 1980s.

Over the years he has grown, pumpkins, grapefruit, capsicum, paw paws, zucchini and lettuce.

He has also grown mangoes, exporting the fruit to markets in Japan, Singapore, Russia, France and the Middle East.

“I’ve never been afraid to try new things,” Mr Iacutone said.

“Do your research, take your chances and have a go.”

Mr Iacutone has also converted his orchard to an automated water and fertigation system, which allows him to program watering and liquid fertiliser remotely.

Mr Inderbitzin, having faced rising costs for good agricultural land on the Atherton Tablelands, turned to the undeveloped region on Lakeland in the mid 1980s.

He farmed dryland for five years until he had the opportunity to buy a second farm with access to water.

He then introduced several fruit and vegetable crops including bananas, hay, peanuts, corn, various grass seed and legumes, sorghum, watermelons, cotton, sugar cane, potatoes, paw paw and a variety of beans.

Mr Inderbitzin has also made a name in compost, and in doing so, is helping reduce the carbon footprint, improve soil health, productivity and create a legacy for future generations.