Victorian rural tech entrepreneur Nikki Davey has been named the 2023 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award national winner
Glenmore-based flower farmer, tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Grown Not Flown, Nikki Davey, has been named the 2023 AgriFutures rural women’s award winner.
New South Wales resident and artistic director Michelle Leonard was the national runner up.
Davey was honoured for her work in creating a digital platform and app connecting flower farmers and consumers globally, and Leonard was recognised for her work in creating and founding regional choir, Moorambilla Voices.
“This is a huge honour and I am immensely grateful to AgriFutures and Westpac for believing in my vision to promote and raise awareness around flower miles, slow flowers and supporting local farmers,” Davey says.
“We have so many exciting plans and this award will be an absolute game changer for us and what we can achieve in the next 12 months.”
In addition to the $15,000 Westpac grant already awarded to the seven state and territory winners, Davey and Leonard will receive a further $20,000 and $15,000 respectively to progress the development of their winning projects.
“With the additional $20,000 Westpac grant, we can invest this money into further developing the platform to reach new audiences,” Davey says.
“We also want to educate and encourage consumers to celebrate the provenance of flowers, the same way we do with food, and raise awareness around flower miles, slow flowers and benefits of supporting local businesses.”
Davey and Leonard were joined by their fellow national finalists, who were recognised for their outstanding contribution to rural communities and industries during the national ceremony.
The other 2023 state winners were:
- Founder of Bush Devine, Ali Paulett (Clare Valley, SA)
- Entrepreneur and founder of Huds and Toke, Emma Gibbons (Coolum, QLD)
- Facilitator and founder of Leading Rein, Melissa Duniam (Sisters Creek, TAS)
- Counsellor and founder of Grief Connect, Michelle Moriarty (Bunbury, WA)
- Sustainability advocate and co-founder of NTEX, Eileen Breen (Girraween, NT)
Applications for the 2024 AgriFutures Rural Women’s Award have already opened and will close on Wednesday October 25, however Northern Territory residents have until January.
Applications can be made through the AgriFutures website.