$3.5 million has been awarded by the supermarket giant to 11 small and medium-sized businesses across the country, all of which are at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.
In its 11th year, the Coles Nurture Fund has granted more than $40 million in financial support to 119 Australian producers across a wide range of industries.
The grant for Fowles Wine is set to go towards funding to engineer BatNavs - a technology that helps micro-bats to navigate the vineyard and feed on pests, reducing the need for pesticides and promoting biodiversity.
Fowles Wine owner and director Matt Fowles said the Australian-first project is about rethinking how farming and nature can work together.
“We live by the idea of ‘farming in nature’s image’ which means finding ways to work with nature, rather than against it,” he said.
“Working with microbats to manage pests in the vineyard is a great example of this ethos.
“The potential benefits of this project are massive, not just for Fowles Wine, but also for the broader wine industry here in Australia.
“Based on our research, we estimate savings of $50 million per year in pesticides, reduced environmental impact, and better and more natural wines for customers.”
Grants of up to $500,00 have been awarded to the 11 recipients to turn innovative ideas into real-world solutions that benefit producers, the environment and customers.
“Farming can be a fairly lonely pursuit, so it is really nice to have your ideas and hard work recognised,” Mr Fowles said.
“The Coles Nurture Fund has put wind in our sails and allowed us to think big.”
5°C