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17/8/2026
Corteva Young Grower of the Year Luca Farmer embracing innovation
At just 24 years of age, South Australian potato and onion grower, Luca Farmer, is already helping shape the future of his family's fourth-generation farming business.
With a strong focus on sustainability, technology and continuous improvement, his efforts were recently recognised at the Horticulture Industry Awards as the 2026 Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year.
Luca said the honour was both unexpected and deeply rewarding.
He has been heavily involved in the horticulture industry including trips to Hong Kong, Dubai and Scotland to evaluate different farming methods and technologies which can be utilised back in Australia.
Based at Kangaroo Flat near Gawler, in South Australia, the Farmer family grows potatoes for its washing and packing business alongside wheat, barley and canola.
The enterprise follows a carefully planned three-year rotation, with all potatoes grown under towable centre pivots that are moved to different paddocks each season. The system not only improves irrigation efficiency but also provides significant agronomic benefits.
"Our rotations give the soil a break," Mr Farmer said. "Potatoes are a high-demanding crop, so rotating through wheat and canola helps manage disease, improves soil health and prepares the ground for the next potato crop."
The family also operates Kangaringa, a property near Keith in South Australia's southeast, where they grow onions alongside Black Angus cattle and Merino sheep.
Livestock play an important role in the business, allowing waste potatoes and other by-products to be utilised as valuable feed, while improving overall farm sustainability.
For Luca, farming is much more than a career. As the fourth generation following his great-grandfather Jack, grandfather Barry and father Matthew, he feels both privileged and motivated to continue building on the family's legacy.
"It's pretty cool seeing how far the company's come through each generation," he said. "Every generation is getting bigger and better. It's a challenge to fill those shoes, but I'm looking forward to it."
One of the biggest changes has been introducing organic matter into the potato production system.
“At the moment we're doing a mixture of mushroom compost and gypsum, which we spread the year before we plant potatoes,” Mr Farmer said. “For example, we’ll spread the organic matter before a canola crop, so it is ready for the potatoes.”
“Our soils are diverse. On one end of the farm, you might be dealing with beach sand and on the other end heavy clay and limestone.
“The whole idea is just to put more organic matter and have some more bioavailable nutrients for our crops.”
"We're trying to create healthier soils rather than relying entirely on salt-based fertiliser programs," he says. "The idea is to build long-term soil quality that benefits both our potatoes and our broadacre crops."
The results have already been encouraging.
"We've seen improvements in quality and yield. The plants have a better finish, they're healthier and more vigorous, and they're coping with the climate much better."
Precision nutrition is another area of focus. Fertigation allows the business to deliver nutrients through irrigation water while making the most of limited opportunities to access paddocks during the growing season. Looking ahead, Luca believes even greater precision will come through technologies such as AI, drone imaging and site-specific management.
"I'd like to use drones to map different soil types and identify issues before we make management decisions," he says. "The future is being much more precise with fertiliser and organic matter applications."
Sustainability underpins every decision.
"This farm is something I want to pass on to my family," Luca says. "Soil health and sustainability are critical if we're going to continue farming for future generations."
Nick Weckert presents Luca Farmer with a commemorative gift in recognition of being named the 2026 Corteva Agriscience Young Grower of the Year.
Winning the Young Grower of the Year award came as a surprise, particularly given the calibre of the other finalists.
"I definitely wasn't expecting it," he says. "It means a lot to be recognised for something I've worked towards my whole life. Standing on that stage was a surreal feeling."
He credits much of his success to his father, experienced staff and the wider horticulture industry, believing that doing the fundamentals exceptionally well is still the key to long-term success.
"I think what sets me apart is just doing the basics really well," he says. "Small improvements over time lead to great results."
His advice for other young growers is equally straightforward.
"Stick with it, don't be afraid to go against the grain and trust your instincts," he said. "There's always bigger and better things to be looking at."
Looking to the future, Luca hopes his legacy will be one that successfully combines technology, precision agriculture and sustainability, ensuring the family business continues to thrive for generations to come.
