A PASSION for agriculture and food production is the reason David Jeffries has been nominated as a future grain leader to participate in the 2009-2010 Australian Future Grain Leaders Program.
Mr Jeffries was one of 15 contestants selected from across the nation, three of whom are from WA.
His business Forrestfield’s Metro Grain Centre handles 60 per cent of the grains in the State.
“I was absolutely stoked when they told me I was a finalist,” he said.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity – a great starting point for the industry and me personally.
“I’m certainly looking forward to developing my skills and, more importantly, I’m eager to get some guidance in working on larger projects on a national level rather than at state level.”
Mr Jeffries grew up on a farm in Canada and said he started working at the age of 11.
“I appreciate and understand the trials and tribulations, as well as the joy people have in farming,’’ he said.
“To be able to put something back into a fantastic industry is something I enjoy doing.”
Mr Jeffries said involvement in an earlier program provided the opening to take part in the course.
“Each applicant is required to put forward an idea in addition to having demonstrated leadership in the past,” he said.
“The proposal I put forward was to assist and co-ordinate the industry to develop a national framework for an on-farm safety program.
“It’s something I’ve been working closely with in the past nine years with growers. We’ve been quite successful in developing a practical initiative that allows broadacre growers to demonstrate their food safety credentials to the world.”
Mr Jeffries will fly to Sydney this week for an intensive three-day course.
The program runs next July.