Strawberry Innovation Grower Profile – Paul Mancarella – Silvan, Victoria

Paul Mancarella has been growing strawberries in Silvan, in Victoria’s Yarra Valley for 43 years, in rich red soil, among gently rolling hills. The hilly nature of the Silvan area poses challenges for growers who want to minimise erosion and loss of soil from their farms. Additionally, many properties in this area have stream or river frontages, and it is important to minimise the environmental impact of soil and silt run-off into waterways to maintain water quality. Paul and his sons, John and Michael, recognise that their soil is an asset, and in 2015 they partnered with the Melbourne Water Rural Land Program, to improve their drainage management as to minimise the loss of their valuable topsoil and nutrients, and reduce their impact on Stringybark Creek at the bottom of their property. Facilitating the development of the Australian strawberry industry (BS15002, BS15003 and BS15004)