Third-generation Brisbane Water pearl farmer, James Brown of Pearls of Australia, has been named Australian Farmer of the Year for 2020-21 by the Kondinin Group and ABC Rural.
Brown also received the Award for Excellence in Innovation, sponsored by Telstra.
Together with his family and based in Mooney Mooney, Brown farms for pearls across two operations: Cygnet Bay, north of Broome, and at the Broken Bay Pearl Farm here on the Coast.
“Our family has been pearling since the 1950s and while it hasn’t always been easy, farming is in my blood and to know I can make a difference in the industry, and ensuring it has longevity and stability, means everything to me,” Brown said.
The award comes after a tumultuous decade for the nation’s pearl industry, which has suffered the effects of an aquatic disease, several natural disasters and COVID-19.
Ben White, General Manager of Research at Kondinin Group, said it was Brown’s forward-thinking approach to farming and “never give up” attitude that impressed the judges and secured him with the award wins.
Brown studied marine biology at James Cook University before returning to the family pearl farm and taking the helm in 2000.
He has since purchased the majority shareholding of Broken Bay Pearl Farm, bringing his innovative approach to Australia’s newest pearling region.
Brown’s affinity with the marine environment helped him confront the challenges the pearl industry has faced over the last two decades.
“Between 2007 and 2009, the pearl industry encountered a bio-security challenge in the form of a suspected virus,” he said.
“Over a decade later, we still do not know what the causative agent is, but it is most likely an artefact of significant sea surface temperature increase.
“Add to that the Global Financial Crisis restricting traditional wholesale markets upon which Australian pearl farmers depend, and we witnessed the demise of many pearling companies.
“To experience production and market failure at the same time was an extremely challenging point in my life.”
Brown committed to diversifying the operation, invested in research, and developed innovative strategies for survival.
“During 2009 we opened up the family farm to not only share our family’s pioneering farming story, but to bring awareness around the ancient connection between Australia’s First Nation people and pearl shell,” he said.
“This gave the public an opportunity to experience a fully-operational, commercial pearl farm, meet the many people behind the process, and have the chance to purchase pearls farm-direct.
“It allowed us to achieve full vertical integration while raising consumer knowledge of the Australian pearling industry and its incredible cultural heritage.
“Ultimately, it helped us connect directly with consumers and position Australian pearls as the unique and premium product they are.”
Brown also introduced a new seafood product to market—the Akoya Pearl Oyster.
During 2009 Brown founded the Kimberley Marine Research Station (KMRS), which is an operational marine science hub for independent research on the Kimberley bioregion.
He has supported research into the virus that affected the pearling industry and has been a major collaborator in the development of an industry recovery research program involving the Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) with Cygnet Bay Pearls (WA), Autore Pearling (NT) and James Cook University.
Brown’s fortitude was put to the test during March 2021, with Broken Bay Pearl Farm suffering considerable flood damage.
“Our farm took a serious hit during the March floods, with the force of the water damaging infrastructure and the change in water conditions flowing downstream impacting our oysters,” he said.
“But we are optimistic that we can restore the farm and ensure our oysters are in the best environment again.
“We won’t let it get us down.”
The annual Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year award program has been running since 2010 and recognises excellence in farming and farming communities across rural and regional Australia.
Source:
Media release, Jun 18
Kondinin Group and ABC Rural Australian Farmer of the Year award program