Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs » In The Press

Emerging leader award winner 2016

Taryn Mazzarella — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 09:06:23 +0000

Entrepreneur and co-founder of one of Australia’s leading herb businesses, Jan Vydra has received the 2016 Rabobank Emerging Leader Award, recognising exceptional up-and-coming leadership in Australia and New Zealand’s food and agribusiness industries.

Mr Vydra, executive director of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, was presented the trans-Tasman award at the annual Rabobank Leadership Dinner in Sydney last night, in front of more than 200 agribusiness professionals.

Articles & reference

Rabobank leadership website – https://www.rabobankleadershipawards.com/award-winners/

The Australian Business Review – http://online.isentialink.com/theaustralian.com.au/2016/10/06/abc7ddf0-38af-4c86-a8b4-e1707c4ed53c.html

Good fruit and vegetables - http://www.goodfruitandvegetables.com.au/story/4213075/herb-marketer-wins-top-leadership-award/?cs=4928

Farmings Ahead online publication - http://www.farmingahead.com.au/articles/1/12446/2016-10-07/news/former-young-farmer-winner-receives-rabobank-leadership-gong

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Jan Vydra and Stephanie Alexander celebrate young people in Food & Farming

Taryn Mazzarella — Wed, 28 Sep 2016 02:39:01 +0000

Australian culinary legend Stephanie Alexander espoused the virtues of real food and the importance of engaging young people in every step of the food process.

Alexander was one of two speakers at the breakfast who spoke of the importance of engaging young people in the food and agriculture business.

Business representatives from across the Casey and Cardinia regions were treated to a presentation by Jan Vydra, managing director of the Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs that won the Casey Cardinia Business of the Year title.

Mr Vydra told of his experiences travelling overseas while researching different forms of agriculture and how his early childhood had formed the way he runs his business.

“I remember Mum asked my teachers in kinder why I wasn’t learning anything, and the teachers told her to just let me play, that’s how I act and motivate my staff in agriculture,” he said.
“We are trying to take strides in innovation and show farming can be a choice.

While Mr Vydra was travelling overseas as part of the Nuffield 2016 Scholar Program, he discovered the average age of farmers in many places around the world is 60+ years.
“Farmers are ageing, and it is a common problem,” he said.

“We can solve some of these problems with technology, but we need to engage young people in agriculture.”
Stephanie Alexander echoed Mr Vydra’s sentiments about engaging young people in food and spoke of the value she has seen in the kitchen garden project that has been adopted by schools across the nation.

Casey business of the Year award 2016

Taryn Mazzarella — Tue, 20 Sep 2016 02:06:46 +0000

This month the Team @ Fresh Leaf celebrated becoming this years Casey business of the year.

Winners for the Casey Cardinia Business Awards 2016 were announced at a gala dinner held at the Cardinia Cultural Centre on Friday 16 September.It was a fantastic evening seeing Clyde based-business Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs take out top honours for 2016 being namedC asey Cardinia Business of the Year.

Proud to be an Australian leading sustainable producer in horticulture specialising in herbs, cresses and edible flowers, Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs (AFLH) is a wonderful success story and truly worthy to be named Casey Cardinia Business of the Year for 2016.Founded in 2008 by Jan Vydra and William Pham, they aimed to deliver a new format for modern horticulture by using the latest technologies to make farming more appealing to urbanized societies, along with creating a unique experience in food and health by sustainably delivering nutritious edible plants for home cooks, professional chefs and health conscious consumers.

Since commencement, AFLH has expanded and diversified from producing 2,000 bunches of herbs with two employees, to current peak productions of 180,000 units per week with more than 50 employees from the local area.

Jan Vydra is Farming Forward: The Future of Herbs in Australian Manufacturing

Taryn Mazzarella — Sat, 02 Jul 2016 03:07:42 +0000

As Inverloch 3996 is supported greatly by our local farmers, we had to share the story of Jan Vydra, a herb farmer in the Dandenong region, with a passion for agriculture that knows no bounds. Jan is the recipient of many awards, his company, Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, is now a leading industry supplier. We sit down with the farmer to learn more about his motivation and success.

When did you establish Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs and how did the concept come about?Jan: The Company is seven years old. The timing of our business was perfect because in 2008 we had all these TV shows coming through like MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules that changed the cooking culture in Australia. People who were traditionally meat and three vegetables started looking at recipes for the first time. Herbs were a major driving factor, consumption was increasing and we jumped on that wave. We started growing 2000 bunches of basil and now supply up to 150,000 bunches of herbs, micro-cresses, edible flowers and Australian natives a week to Australian consumers, including some of the nation’s most revered chefs.What were you doing prior to this?Jan: I managed a fruit and vegetable firm and worked with farmers to improve their supply chain processes. Through these collaborations, I met William Pham. We discovered that fresh herbs were inconsistent in quality and pricing — a real problem for the industry.

I understand there is some technology involved?

We established Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs because we saw a gap in the market. The delivery of fresh, high quality herbs all year round was important to us and technology played a big part in ensuring we could make it happen. We’ve simplified the supply chain system with innovative technology from not only an ordering perspective but also our growing methods. I embrace a partnership of technology and modern farming systems. For example, AFLH has been able to successfully save just shy of half a billion liters of water since 2008, and produce five times more basil per square meter as compared to traditional farming systems. In regards the ordering process, all our stakeholders now have greater visibility with orders and we can forecast and plan much more succinctly.Do you have a particular philosophy that drives the business?Jan: My vision is centred on growing food sustainably and hydroponic and greenhouse production has enabled us to do this more efficiently. This coupled with using innovative technology is what drives our business. We are always searching for the best possible way to get fresh herbs to consumers in the most sustainable manner. AFLH was recently awarded a $430,000 interest-free loan from Coles Nuture Fund to build a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse. This expansion was a major part of the capital projects of $1.4million invested since October 2015. The new greenhouse is expected to increase productivity by 500 per cent. It comes down to this: the farming industry needs to invest in sustainable farming methods to provide fresh, environmentally friendly produce. We also hope that the use of popular technology will attract more young people to join the industry. Working in the industry I often see a disconnection between consumers and food. There are a lot of people that don’t know where exactly their food comes from. I’d like to change this by engaging with more people about the importance of farming and fresh, sustainable produce.I understand that you have received numerous awards.

Jan: Yes, I am proud to have been granted the 2016 Nuffield Scholarship. As part of this award, I will travel to 20 countries and report back to the Australian farming industry on how vertical cropping not only has the ability to urbanise agriculture, but also change horticulture as we perceive it today. I’ll also investigate other innovative ways to boost the yields and sustainability of fresh herbs and salad promotion. In 2011, I was awarded Australian Young Farmer of the Year. I was a finalist in the 2011 Telstra Business Awards and received a place in the BRW Fast Starters list in 2012. This recognition has fueled my passion to expand.

How does the future look?

Jan: AFLH has been busy with local demand, supplying Coles and other independent retailers, but export is also growing exponentially year on year. We are currently exporting up to $800,000 worth of product a year to 17 countries and looking to expand. We want to continue to be recognized as one of the country’s leading producers of fresh leaf greens, (including culinary herbs, micro-greens, edible flowers and novelty cresses), with a passion to always innovate and find ways to do things more sustainably and efficiently. Since 2008, we have dramatically cut our water, land and labour use, but I know there are more opportunities. We also want to explore other markets, such as medicinal herbs.

Are you looking forward to speaking at the Smart Manufacturing 16 event in Dandenong?

Yes I am thrilled to be participating in the Smart Manufacturing 16 event in Dandenong and Melbourne, which, will focus on priorities for investment, jobs, growth, and innovation. It should help dispel some of the misconceptions about manufacturing and redirect attention to health and wellbeing. The area is a critical zone and accounts for 50% of manufacturing output. I believe it will open the eyes of the public and the press.

Article by:

http://www.inverloch3996.com/inverlochlife/-jan-vydra-is-farming-forward-the-future-of-herbs-in-australian-manufacturing

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Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs – Unveil new Urban footprint with Coles

Taryn Mazzarella — Fri, 04 Mar 2016 03:13:38 +0000

This video is a showcase of the new Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs urban farming footprint, support by the Coles Supermarkets Nurture Fund. A vision of where next generation agriculture is headed.

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Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs launches new greenhouse at Clyde

Taryn Mazzarella — Thu, 03 Mar 2016 06:10:18 +0000

A NEW horticulture model on the outskirts of Melbourne, which uses cloud technology to tell employees when and what herbs to pack, will increase yields by about 75 per cent.

A new state-of-the-art greenhouse, funded by the Coles Nurture Fund, was launched yesterday by Clyde small business Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs as part of its new model for urban farming.

Sophisticated cloud technology, designed by Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, has been installed in the greenhouse, with large screens mounted to tell employees exactly when and what herbs to plant, pick and pack.

Herbs will be grown on Dutch-designed rolling benches that can be pushed together to increase planting space, and also rolled into an adjoining shed so employees can harvest the herbs at the one location.

And a climate-controlled growing environment for plants means herbs can be grown locally all year round.

Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs co-founder Jan Vydra, who was awarded Australian Young Farmer of the Year in 2011, said it was the first time in Australia’s horticulture industry that a small business had introduced new cloud technology and rolling benches into a climate controlled greenhouse to grow herbs.

“Two years ago, I saw the rolling benches in action in Holland and decided the benefits for yields and productivity were so impressive, we should introduce them to our business in Clyde,” he said.

“The combination of the rolling benches, cloud technology and climate controlled greenhouse will increase our yields by 75 per cent by allowing us to increase annual yield from 350 bunches per square metre to more than 600 bunches.”

“By producing more herbs per square metre and bringing harvesting to one location, our overall cost of production will fall and our growing will become more streamlined.”

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/horticulture/australian-fresh-leaf-herbs-launches-new-greenhouse-at-clyde/news-story/3330c9323163271cdc0753ff7ba72e05

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Jan Vydra of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs at Clyde grows forward

Taryn Mazzarella — Tue, 19 Jan 2016 09:00:09 +0000

JAN Vydra may be a first-generation farmer but it’s clear he has more passion for agriculture and growing good food than some industry stalwarts put together.

It’s this breath of fresh air in an ageing sector, his innovation and drive that has landed Jan in a unique position — he has not only been awarded a 2016 Nuffield Scholarship but his business, Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, established only seven years ago, has grown exponentially by over 1700 per cent to become a leading industry supplier.

Jan, who also won a national young farmer award in 2011, said the success of any business was hard to determine because there was generally a number of factors contributing.

“The timing of our business was perfect because in 2008 we had all these TV shows coming through like MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules that changed the cooking culture in Australia,” Jan said.

“People that were traditionally meat and three veg started looking at recipes for the first time.

“Herbs were a major driving factor, consumption was increasing and we jumped on that wave.”

GROW FOR GOLD

PRIOR to starting the business, Jan managed a fruit and vegetable firm and worked with farmers to improve their supply chain processes. Through these collaborations, Jan met William Pham. They discovered that fresh herbs were inconsistent in quality and pricing — a real problem for the industry.

It wasn’t long after in 2008 Jan and William founded Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs, where they started growing 2000 bunches of basil.

Seven years on and they now supply up to 150,000 bunches of herbs, micro-cresses, edible flowers and Australian natives a week to Australian consumers, including some of the nation’s most revered chefs.

The success of the business can be attributed to Jan’s focus on driving innovation in all areas of the business, including incorporating innovative technology within the business process. Using this partnership of technology and modern farming systems, AFLH has been able to successfully save just shy of half a billion litres of water since 2008, and produce five times more basil per square metre, compared to traditional farming systems.

HOUSE CALLS

THEIR philosophy is centred on growing food sustainably and hydroponic and greenhouse production has been the centrepiece for most increased efficiencies.

AFLH were recently awarded a $430,000 interest-free loan from Coles Nurture Fund to build a state-of-the-art hydroponic greenhouse. This expansion was a major part of the business’ capital projects of $1.4 million invested since October last year.

With a completion date of March this year, the new greenhouse is expected to increase productivity by 500 per cent.

The new greenhouse will feature Dutch designed rolling benches, increasing usable space by more than 25 per cent compared to nutrient flow tables currently used in hydroponic growing.

This will also double production yield and increase direct labour efficiencies by an additional 50 per cent.

Jan said through environmentally controlled production, the rolling benches allowed them to harvest a greater variety of herbs, reducing wastage and increasing overall capacity by more than 150 per cent.

“The farming industry needs to invest in sustainable farming methods to provide fresh, environmentally-friendly produce,” Jan said.

“We also hope that the use of popular technology will attract more young people to join the industry.”

GLOBAL ROAMING

AS PART of his Nuffield Scholarship, Jan will travel to 20 countries and report back to the Australian farming industry on how vertical cropping not only has the ability to urbanise agriculture, but also change horticulture as we perceive it today.

“Farmers currently grow on a single level so they plant in a paddock or on hydroponic tables and rely on walkways between the tables to plant, tend, and harvest the produce. By being able to use this space for growing, the efficiency of the area can be increased substantially.

“The whole system allows the farming to come to the farmer,” Jan said.

“Imagine if I could put multiple layers on top of each other and grow up. We can grow eight layers high and get close to 300 plants per square metre.”

This technology is being developed in Dubai, Singapore and China where they have dense populations.

Jan said the technology meant food could be grown very close to the main population.

“There would be less food miles as we can have food grown closer to our cities with greenhouses put on top of factories in town,” he said.

“In a sense we are looking at the farm coming to the people and so we’re making agriculture more interesting to young people.”

GLORY DAYS

THE innovation, fresh thinking and dedication of AFLH has landed the team a series of accolades, including finalists in the 2011 Telstra Business Awards and a place in the BRW Fast Starters list in 2012.

A cornerstone of their success was gaining an intimate understanding of the supply chain process and growing methods.

From garnering the knowledge and applying their business acumen, Jan designed an innovative cloud based IT system to improve supply chain processes.

The results provided a higher level of product traceability and greater efficiency.

“We are making farming more attractive,” Jan said.

“The industry historically has had a generational culture associated with it, and the benefits of being a non-generational farm is that we are establishing ourselves in the industry with fresh eyes,” he said.

“We want to become an industry leader valued by consumers and those coming out of universities — so young people will say ‘we want to be part of that team’,” Jan said.

MEET THE MARKET

AFLH has been busy with local demand, supplying Coles and other independent retailers, but export is also growing exponentially year on year.

They are currently exporting up to $800,000 worth of product a year to 17 countries and looking to expand.

“We have two to three major customers domestically, including a flourishing relationship with Coles,” Jan said. “They have been really supportive of us and we won the 2015 Coles Rising star of the Year award.”

Jan expects medicinal herbs will become a bigger part of the business. “We are eagerly following Japan on functional and medicinal herbs,” Jan said.

“So many people are so disconnected from food — they don’t understand the goodness in it because they are just not engaged in it. But food really is the basis of life and more people are gravitating towards fresh food.”

FIONA SHEEAN, The Weekly Times

January 19, 2016 9:00pm

http://www.weeklytimesnow.com.au/agribusiness/on-farm/jan-vydra-of-australian-fresh-leaf-herbs-at-clyde-grows-forward/news-story/bb8c69260f1e0518570cb8b664c24355

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Coles rising star of the year award

Taryn Mazzarella — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 03:35:44 +0000

The Coles Supplier Awards were announced at a gala dinner at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 9.

The biggest ever Coles Supplier Awards celebrated excellence in providing merchandise, services and goods not for resale across the business.

Coles Managing Director John Durkan paid tribute to Coles suppliers for their excellent contribution to the retailer over the year.

“We’re immensely grateful to all our suppliers who go to great lengths every day to support Coles and ensure our customers have great products and services at affordable prices,” he said.

Manbulloo Mangoes won the Best In-Store Execution Award following a milestone year for mango sales in 2014-15, driven by its ‘Mangolomania’ campaign.

Tiger Coffee won the Best Product Launch Award in recognition of its work to install coffee machines at all Coles Express stores in Australia.

Simplot won the Community Champion Award for its collaboration with SecondBite to donate 123,000kg of food to people in need during 2014-15.

Littore Family Wines jointly won the Outstanding Service Award in recognition of its commitment to quality, improvement and forecasting techniques.

The other joint winner of this award was NCR, honoured for supporting Coles’ store operations with a range of innovative and leading-edge hardware and software solutions.

Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs received the Rising Star Award for its commitment to quality, innovation and in-store engagement since the company began supplying direct to Coles in October 2014.

Mondel?z International and Parmalat jointly won the Supply Chain Excellence Award for achievements in availability, simplicity and collaboration.

Tassal won the Sustainable and Ethical Excellence Award after achieving Aqua Stewardship Council certification for its salmon farming operation, a world first for salmon aquaculture.

Flavour Makers was named Product Innovation and Quality Supplier of the Year for its collaboration with Coles to launch nine Coles Brand ready-to-eat soups packed in a stand-up microwavable pouch.

By Retail World Editor on September 18, 2015

https://www.retailworldmagazine.com.au/coles-honours-top-suppliers/

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Jan Vydra our CEO is granted a 2016 Nuffield scholarship

Taryn Mazzarella — Wed, 09 Sep 2015 02:17:32 +0000

It’s time to benchmark Fresh Leaf’s sustainable farming practices against the world

Jan Vydra, from Melbourne in Victoria, receives a Nuffield Scholarship supported by The William Buckland Foundation. He will investigate innovative ways to boost the yields and sustainability of fresh herb and salad leaf production.

Awarded the 2011 Australian Young Farmer of the Year, Jan is a co-founder and executive director of Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs (AFLH) at Clyde, 50 kilometres south east of Melbourne. This is one of the country’s leading producers of fresh leaf greens, with niche markets focusing on culinary herbs, micro-greens, edible flowers and novelty cresses.

Under Jan’s leadership, AFLH has expanded and diversified from producing 2000 bunches of basil each week in the late 2000s to current peak spring production of 160–180,000 units of product per week and employment of 40 full time equivalent staff.

“From the inception of the company, my focus has always been on understanding and developing sustainable and efficient ways to grow fresh produce,” he says.

“Since 2008, we have dramatically cut our water, land and labour use but I know there are opportunities to be even more efficient and sustainable.”

Jan says through his scholarship he will research new technologies to boost production per square metre and implementation of statistical farming systems for greater accuracy of performance measurement.

He plans to travel to Canada, Japan, The Netherlands, Turkey and the United States to investigate greenhouse operations, urban agriculture, vertical cropping, seed growing and natural growing mediums.

2011 Young Farmer of the Year Award

Mon, 07 Oct 2013 03:01:36 +0000

Australian Fresh Leaf Herbs Director Jan Vydra was awarded Australia’s Young Farmer of the Year Award.

There were two other nominees up for the prestigious Award, and Jan was chosen because of his innovative approach to the industry.

The Award was presented to Jan by Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Farming Senator Joe Ludwig at a dinner hosted by Kondinin Group and ABC Rural on Wednesday 7, 2011 in Sydney.

Download - 2011 Young Farmer of the Year Award

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