AWARD: Sam Statham has been awarded a $6,000 travel grant to investigate other organic farming methods.
A local organic farmer has won the inaugural 2012 NSW Organic Pioneers Award.
Sam Statham , Rosnay, Canowindra has been awarded a $6,000 travel grant to investigate other organic farming methods.
Mr Statham was over the moon with his award win and said it was surprising given the strength of the other finalists.
"It's fantastic; it's been brilliant," he said. "It's been very exciting; I didn't expect it at all.
He plans on spending his travel bursary on a trip to France in order to investigate European methods of organic wine growing.
"There's so much culture over there," Mr Statham said. "We plan on going around the regions of France, maybe the Pyrenees, Languedoc and even over to Spain."
He said it provides a great opportunity for him to further his growing abilities.
"I'll probably learn a lot," he said. "I've never been over there and seen what they've been able to do."
Department of Primary Industries acting director of skills and communities John Newcombe said it was a difficult decision for the judges but Mr Statham separated himself from the pack.
"Sam is a trailblazer in the organics industry and has made a significant contribution to the development of the rapidly growing sector," he said.
"The strength of the entries is a clear indication of how the sector has grown and transformed into a sophisticated $504 million industry nationally."
Mr Statham's family business 'Rosnay' is a certified organic farm producing winegrapes, olives, figs and award winning wines.
He also founded the Australia-New Zealand Organic Wine Show and previously chaired the Vignerons Committee of the Biological farmers of Australia.
Mr Newcombe said Mr Statham was a worthy winner.
"Sam first started growing grapes and olives organically in 1997 and is now widely respected in organic industry circles right across Australia," Mr Newcombe said.