Deane Stahmann Jr. passes the torch
The changing of the guard marks the end of an era ....
Winter Promotion Winners
Congratulations to our winners ....
INAUGURAL DEANE STAHMANN SCHOLARSHIP OPEN
The Deane Stahmann scholarship was established in 2008 to provide Australian pecan growers ....
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INAUGURAL DEANE STAHMANN SCHOLARSHIP OPEN
The Deane Stahmann scholarship was established in 2008 to provide Australian pecan growers and industry participants with the opportunity to attend the Texas Pecan Growers Short Course at Texas A & M University. The course gives access to extensive American research and expertise on the planning, establishment, management and marketing of pecans.
The scholarship will be offered biennially with applications now open for the inaugural scholarship which will be awarded at this years Australian Pecan Growers Association Annual General Meeting in Lismore in 16th August 2008.
The winner of this scholarship will participate in the 5-day Texas Pecan Growers Short Course at the Texas A&M University. The course is held in the last week of January each year and covers such topics:
- orchard site selection
- tree physiology
- cultivar selection
- orchard design and spacing
- planting & establishing pecan orchards
- fertilization
- weed and disease control
- crop load management
- tree pruning, thinning and hedging
- irrigation systems and scheduling
- storing and handling
- leaf tissue analysis
- cracking and shelling
- marketing and cost & return analysis
Each scholarship comprises $2000.00 plus course fees.
Deane Stahmann is considered the "father" of the Australian pecan industry. He came to Australia from the family pecan farm in New Mexico, USA, in 1965 with the intention of creating the first commercial pecan operation in the Southern Hemisphere. He planted the first Pecan trees at Gatton in Queensland, and shortly after at the flagship property 'Trawalla' near Moree in New South Wales. At Trawalla more than 70,000 pecan trees were established on 1,800 acres of rich, alluvial soil on the Moree plain - production at that property now yields as much as 3,000 tonnes of nuts each year. The business he created "Stahmann Farms" encompasses the pecan farms and processing facilities for pecan and macadamias at Toowoomba. In 2008, Deane Stahmann passed the baton of Stahmann Farms to new owners and what better way to commemorate his enormous contribution to the Australian pecan industry than the establishment of a scholarship which seeks to create the next generation of pecan growers and managers in Australia.
The Australian Pecan Growers Association is the national representative body for pecan growers and processors. The Association is committed to the future of the pecan industry in Australia. By supporting members to expand their knowledge and skill base through attendance at the Pecan Growers Short Course the Association will enhance the capacity of the industry to grow.
Application forms and further information can be obtained from Dawn Thornton, Secretary of the Australian Pecan Growers Association on 02 6564 8747 or email bellbowra@bordernet.com.au
