Queensland horticultural growers are being encouraged to ‘gear up’ for the Tricks of the Trade – Negotiation Tactics Masterclass series being delivered throughout the state from the end of June.

Over the past month, we've come to a crucial realisation: our "young growers" or our "next gen growers" are not the future; they are the now!

Last week, Melbourne was buzzing with excitement as over 4,000 attendees gathered to celebrate the world of horticulture at Australia’s premier horticulture conference and trade show.

Visitors to QFVG’s booth at Hort Connections this week got a preview of our latest innovation – Hort360 ESG. For those who couldn't join us in chilly Melbourne, here's five things you need to know.

Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) will unveil the new Hort360 ESG platform at this week’s Hort Connections Conference and Trade Show in Melbourne from 3 - 5 June.  

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.

QFVG makes no apologies for being horticulture obsessed. In fact, it is one of our six core values.  

Last week, the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) carried a vote of no confidence in the Albanese Government.

In the marketing world, they say someone needs to “hear” a message through various touchpoints, at least seven times before they take action.

Grower focused engagement together with brave, strong, and loud advocacy has come together during the past couple of months in a big way. Through inquiry upon inquiry, submissions, media, and lots of conversations with growers, QFVG has put forward the industry’s views and experiences.

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

On Monday I was before the Queensland supermarket inquiry committee representing thousands of growers too fearful of commercial retribution to represent themselves. A tough gig considering every grower is different to the next.

For many growers in Far North Queensland, Tropical Cyclone Jasper marked the beginning of a turbulent Summer. On a recent follow-up visit to the region, we spoke to growers still reeling from the impacts of Jasper and the subsequent rain that has only just eased.

For our growers who didn’t have time (or the inclination) to listen to day one of the Supermarket inquiry in Canberra we’ve put together the day in a nutshell (so to speak). 

Dr Craig Emerson certainly didn’t mince words this week with the release of the Interim Report for the Independent Review of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct.

As Growcom’s Project Communications Officer with a previous life in the academy, I attend forums our growers may not have the time or resources to attend. It seems my seat at the recent Australian Academy of Science’s National Symposium, however, may have been better occupied by a grower in the flesh.

This week’s news of the controversial biosecurity levy progressing to the Senate is yet another fork in the back for Queensland’s horticulture industry.

With Australian labour costs being some of the highest in the world, the adoption of emerging technologies could be the answer we’ve been looking for to keep the sector competitive.

Last week a major news outlet suggested that data does not back up farmers’ claims that the industry is in crisis. The data they were referring to, was a predicted 3% increase in production due to improved growing conditions.