A new industry-led training program is supporting Queensland farmers to access high-quality, modern and flexible training across the state.

Queensland horticultural growers will be better supported to tackle the complexities faced around climate risks, market challenges, and modern farm management with further support now available through Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP) for horticulture.

Pests cost Australian primary producers approximately $5.3 billion annually in management and production losses. Managing pests absorbs precious time and effort with around 72% of the estimated cost being in the working hours devoted to managing pests (and weeds).

Have you ever looked around your property and thought, “I’d really like to fix this up,” or “I’d really like to install that.” You know, the priority wish list of things you would get to if you had the time, money, resources, or expertise?

At QFVG we know horticulture is an essential sector, and attracting young minds is just one piece of the puzzle to ensuring its vibrant future.

After a summer of bushfires, cyclones, and flooding, many horticultural growers are no doubt taking a closer look at their insurance renewals.

Dennis Howe, Managing Director of Howe Farming Enterprises is a certified legend. And no, that’s not hyperbole; Dennis was awarded the inaugural ABC Rural-Kondinin Group Farming Legend of the Year Award in 2016. 

Agriculture is in Tanya Luck’s blood. Having grown up on a sheep and cattle farm on the Western Downs, she studied horticulture and agronomy, and has worked in the industry all her life.

When it comes to fence building, veteran of the industry Macka says “Make the first expense, your last.”

After a summer of bushfires, cyclones, and flooding, many horticultural growers are no doubt taking a closer look at their insurance renewals.

Queensland’s citrus industry has an important land stewardship role to play with 81% of the state’s crop grown within the Great Barrier Reef catchment.

Janne Dipple describes herself as a woman who wears two hats. With 20 years’ experience working in adult education and training Janne has design and run training across all kinds of subjects.

In the first half of 2024, Growcom’s South East Queensland (SEQ) Water Quality Program has focused on working with growers to access land management information on their property and undertake remediation works to address the movement of nutrient, chemicals, and soil from their farms.

It’s difficult to be anything other than impressed by the manicured rows of mango trees as you drive through the front gate at Golden Drop Winery in Biboohra, just north of Mareeba in Queensland’s far north.

Imagine a phone call or chance encounter at an event or workshop turning into the building of a dam, a pipeline, a new irrigation system, or an on-farm commercial kitchen.

Over 70 horticultural growers and agronomists recently came together in Childers and Mareeba to learn about carbohydrate monitoring and how the practice can lead to more informed infield decision making. A variety of crops were represented leading to positive interactions and learning among participants.

The picturesque backdrop of a Carnarvon sunrise or sunset belies the extreme environmental conditions under which research scientist Dr Melanie Ford and her team from the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) have operated their jackfruit variety research trial site.

Maria Lorenzo of Lakeland Produce in Far North Queensland found herself at a crossroads recently with her organic banana and papaya business. Needing to invest in both expanded water storage as well as enhancing her approach to producing her value-add product range, Maria was unsure of which project to tackle first.

Jason Smith’s approach to running his greenhouses is nothing short of meticulous. Maybe it’s because he served in the Navy for nine years? Maybe it’s because he just really loves his plants? Either way, the Carter & Spencer greenhouses he’s in charge of turn out some beautiful eggplants.

A love for people in the agricultural sector is what drew Amy Nash to her new post as the Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) Officer for South East Queensland.