Take a trip down memory lane with us as we explore the rich history right at our doorstep.

The Adelaide Plains came to the fore in the 1950’s as an emerging premium food production zone. Since then, the industry has gone from strength to strength and is now a leader in intensive food production. 

The Adelaide Plains was a Cereal and Livestock production district from the 1850’s until the Second World War. During this period significant volumes of hay as well as dairy and meat products were produced to service the needs of the burgeoning City of Adelaide. Following WWII, European migration to the district began and with its favourable Mediterranean climate, ideal soil types and good quality underground water the area diversified into fruit and vegetable production.

The introduction of irrigation in the 1950’s and its subsequent expansion into the 1960’s and 1970’s enabled the production of potatoes, onions, carrots, and glasshouse crops. Tomatoes were good for business in the 1960’s, with many growers finding success in the Melbourne market due to windows created by seasonal production in Queensland.

The resulting packing sheds, where produce was handled and packed, diversified the local employment base from farm-hand to shed-hand. The area evolved into a premium and reliable horticultural zone, now able to produce the volumes of vegetables demanded by both the Adelaide market and markets on the Eastern seaboard.

The arrival of Vietnamese and Cambodian migrants in the early 1980’s saw the rapid expansion of the Greenhouse industry on the Adelaide Plains. Continental cucumber production increased as a complementary crop to tomatoes and capsicums.

Vietnamese and Cambodian migrants soon arrived in the 1980’s and with them came the continental cucumber.  This new variety of cucumber presented a market opportunity for growers in Virginia in the early 1980’s; the industry was looking for a new crop to complement their greenhouse tomatoes, and the cucumbers fit the bill perfectly. Growers had to trial this new crop to determine the best growing techniques and planting seasons. 

Also during the 1980’s, the region’s continental cucumber industry was revolutionised by the purchase of Australia’s first continental cucumber wrapping machine, based on Odgers Road in Virginia. This led to growth for the industry as wrapping allowed growers to improve the quality and shelf-life of their cucumbers.  Additionally, construction of the region’s first central pack-house allowed smaller growers to supply large volumes of wrapped cucumbers to major supermarkets, and led to further significant expansion for the industry.  Nowadays, the Adelaide Plains Food Region is home to the largest greenhouse cucumber industry in Australia!

The 1990’s heralded further significant change for the region. Much of the industry underwent a transition from glass to plastic houses in early 90’s; also around this time was the introduction of hydroponic growing in the region. While the mid 90’s saw the occasional high-tech greenhouse, these really took off in the early 2000’s with strong uptake from industry. 

Recycled water was introduced in late 90’s through the Virginia Pipeline Scheme, unlocking the potential of land that previously had insufficient access to suitable water and was not viable for growing. This alternative water source was the catalyst to expand an already large horticultural production base and reduce the reliance on underground water supplies. The recently announced Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme is expected to provide 12 gigalitres of reclaimed water to the Adelaide Plains Food Region, and presents an unprecedented opportunity for growers to secure a long-term supply of reliable water.

It’s important to note that Virginia wasn’t just a farming town; it was an established food production region with a fusion of everything that the migrants brought to the region. These new Australians saw opportunities here; a chance to have a go at working for themselves.