BEN MARTIN

Casual Director since 24 June 2022
Non-Executive Director since 24 November 2022

Ben Martin operates Marto’s Mangoes in Bowen growing R2E2 mangoes for both the domestic and international markets. Ben is an innovator within the industry developing and adopting AgTech whenever the opportunity arises.

Ben is an electrician that has worked in a number of sectors from domestic electrical installations to underground coal mining. He takes some of the knowledge that he has learnt in these industries and adopts this to his farming operations to improve and develop a more efficient operation wherever he can.

His business Marto’s Mangoes is a true family operated business. His parents started the original farm in 1990 and Ben purchased his first farm in 2007. Ben and his wife have since expanded their operation a number of times and are continuing to grow their business alongside his parents.

He also believes in giving back to his industry and community. Ben is the Chairman of The Australian Mango Industry Association which is the PIB for mangoes in Australia, Vice President of Bowen Gumlu Growers Association and sits on a number of other advisory committees and boards within the horticultural industry. Their business also sponsors a number of local charities and their local Junior Rugby League Club. In Ben’s words “We believe strongly in supporting the local community that has given us so much growing up in Bowen. This is why we sponsored the Bowen Seagulls Junior Rugby League Club again to ensure that the local kids in Bowen have the same opportunities to play football that were given to us growing up in a great country town.”

In 2019 Ben was awarded the Australian Young Farmer of the Year Award at a ceremony at Parliament house in Canberra.  He was also a finalist for the 2020 Agricultural Innovation Award.