Glenmore entrepreneur Nikki Davey has been awarded the 2023 VIC AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award for her approach to sustainable farming practices in the flower industry.
The AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award was presented at a ceremony in Melbourne by Agriculture and Regional Development Parliamentary Secretary Michaela Settle on March 3 to recognise the leadership of women involved in Australia’s rural and emerging industries.
Ms Davey was selected for her work in co-founding Grown Not Flown, a digital platform founded in 2021 that has 3500 users in 27 countries.
The platform 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.
Ms Davey said receiving the award was “really emotional”.
“It was really unexpected, but it was such an incredible moment. I felt really grateful for the recognition of all the work that has gone into Grown not Flown and for the opportunity to share our journey,” she said.
Ms Settle commended Ms Davey and fellow finalists for their 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,” she said.
