Seasoned agricultural professional Lee Peterson has been appointed technical manager for BerryWorld Australia as specialty berry operations expand into Tasmania.
Lee will import BerryWorld varieties from Europe and oversee their propagation and commercialisation in Queensland and Tasmanian growing regions. He has extensive experience in agricultural production, spanning 30 years, including new crop development, horticultural production systems, plant extracts and waste stream management, and becomes the first BerryWorld Australia employee.
Based between Tasmania and Queensland, Lee oversees the development of berry operations at Wamuran and Stanthorpe and will lead the establishment and development of a 20-hectare farm at Orielton, southern Tasmania.
By 2020, the former dry-land sheep farm, north of Hobart, will be transformed into a productive berry farm, following the construction of polytunnels, a packhouse and the recruitment of about 30 employees.
Specialty raspberries, strawberries and blackberries will be produced at Orielton. It will become a key growing region for raspberries due to its ideal climate. Lee's first priority is to successfully multiply 12 berry varieties to commercial planting quantities.
BerryWorld Australia is a joint venture between Piñata Farms and global berry brand, BerryWorld Group.