AN ORGANIC mushroom grower with a farm at Lockwood and another in development at Newbridge has taken out his second and third major accolades for this year alone.
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Chris McLoghlin, founder of Mycelia Organics, this month won Young Farmer of the Year and the Excellence in Technology award at the 2018 Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year Awards.
He had already claimed the title of Young Grower of the Year at the Horts Connections awards in June.
Mr McLoghlin said it was humbling to receive the honours and great to be recognised, but acknowledged that his successes were the result of the work of a team.
Mr McLoghlin began his career as a mushroom grower with his farm at Lockwood, which he bought after operating an online organic fruit and vegetable store.
His business now also includes a farm at Diggers Rest, with a third in the works at Newbridge.
Those two sites house Bulla Mushrooms and ScatoPlus, which have now come under the banner of Mycelia Organics, alongside Mr McLoghlin’s first farming enterprise, the Organic Mushroom Farm.
The company now claims a 90 per cent share of its market.
Mr McLoghlin is also a co-founder of escaVox, which aims to minimise waste in the supply chain and provide a transparent, digitised product tracking system.
“Despite his relatively short time in the industry, Chris has proven himself as an innovative businessman and strong advocate for the Australian organic industry,” AUSVEG chief executive officer James Whiteside said.
“Not only has Chris managed to expand his business and directly supply most major retailers with his produce, he has done so while being actively involved with organic industry associations.”
Mr McLoghlin said the company was now building its capability to produce exotic mushrooms.
He said the company was also looking into the possibilities of using mushrooms for nutraceutical purposes, as well as bio-remediation, such as restoring soil health.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
