Littabella Pines owners, the Steemson family have once again showcased the strength of the region’s agricultural industry, winning the Horticulture Farmer of the Year category at The Weekly Times Coles 2023 Farm of the Year awards.
The overall winners were announced alongside six category winners for beef, cropping, dairy, horticulture, sheep and innovation recently at a ceremony for the awards, now in its 12th year.
The judging centred on the three key farming pillars of productivity, innovation and sustainability.
John, along with his wife Linda and sons Daniel and Justin, operate Littabella Pines, a farming enterprise covering 1200 hectares of land in the Bundaberg region growing pineapples, watermelons, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and sugarcane.
The Steemsons grow pineapples across 250 hectares of land producing around 5000 tonnes annually.
On behalf of its members, Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers chief executive officer Rachel Chambers extended congratulations to Littabella Pines being named Horticulture Farmer of the Year at The Weekly Times Coles 2023 Farmer of the Year awards.
“Littabella Pines produces 7,000 tonnes of pineapples a year and is the biggest supplier of canned pineapples in Australia,” Ms Chambers said.
“With the Great Barrier Reef on their doorstep, the Steemsons have been actively involved in various research projects and trials looking at ways to reduce environmental impacts such as sediment and nutrient run-off, water quality and soil erosion.”
This commitment was recognised with Littabella Pines the first pineapple farm to achieve Hort360 Reef Certification.
“In 2023 John Steemson was also awarded the 2023 Col Scott Award for outstanding contribution to the Australian Pineapple Industry.”
