Lockwood farmer Chris McLoghlin is certainly fond of fungi.
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After spending years in the agriculture supply chain, an opportunity presented itself to buy a mushroom farm south west of Bendigo in 2015.
The organic farmer has since gone from strength to strength, increasing production 10 fold and setting up another farm closer to Melbourne.
Mr McLoghlin, co-owner of the Organic Mushroom Farm, has been shortlisted for a national young grower of the year award.
The 33-year-old said Bendigo’s climate – cold winters and warm, dry summers – was a consistent platform for production.
At Lockwood, the farm produces 100 tonnes of organic mushrooms per year, which go into markets across the country.
Mr McLoghlin will go up against nine other candidates for the the Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year Award, which will be presented as part of the 2018 National Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner on June 20, during the Hort Connections convention at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
The national award honours young growers who demonstrate a high level of commitment to innovation, and who are dedicated to enhancing the agriculture profession.