If you missed our Horticulture TV Special during Easter, why not watch a selection of videos from the special online:
Tony’s Veggie Patch
Veggie pest control
Location: Leppington, NSW
Tony came to Australia from Hong Kong 30 years ago and has a 5 acre property in what is known as the Sydney Basin. He is a vegetable grower who has been producing vegetables for the Sydney Markets for 25 years, including bok choi, pak choi, English spinach, Chinese cabbage and shallots. SkillsOne visited Tony at his farm to meet with Steve Honeywood who as a trainer oversees the delivery of Certificate III courses to farmers like Tony.
Seeds for Success
Preserving the precious drop
Location: Withcott Seedlings, Withcott, QLD
Withcott specialises in growing over 480 million vegetable seedlings annually for distribution to farms around Australia. In addition to minimal annual rainfall, the area within which Withcott is located suffers a water quality problem. They implemented a water catchment and recycling infrastructure that maximises what rainfall reaches the area and reuses that water within the seedling nursery.
"We've spent a lot of money over the last ten years trying to drought proof the nursery and we've been very successful," Graham says. To ensure minimal disruption to the surrounding environment, Withcott works in conjunction with the Queensland Environmental Protection Authority to ensure that their water infrastructure program has a minimal impact on the environment.
Location: Padstow, NSW
Angela Tsoukatos owns two floristry properties in south-western Sydney and sells foliage to many clients but without full qualifications, she felt she wasn't achieving all that she could. Through reputable word-of-mouth, the answer seemed to be Padstow TAFE to complete a course in floristry. Now after finishing her Cert II and III, she's looking at continuing her education with a Certificate in Horticulture. Angela feels that the immaculate facilities and passion of her teachers like David Winner has encouraged her and the rest of the TAFE's graduates to continue delivering the best in floristry designs.
A fruitful life (Video available soon)
Location: Ampelon, Mildura, VIC
Ampelon Farms are a major grower of citrus fruit and grapes in Mildura. Dennis Mills has owned the property with his wife for 27 years. He currently runs the property with his son, Richard, who also runs a boutique wine label – Rising Dust. The fruit from Ampelon goes to a number of packers, distributors and producers, and some of their grapes goes to the Fosters Group to be made into wine.
Dennis has seen the industry change a lot over the years. He’s no longer big enough to hire permanent staff. In days gone by Ampelon would have employed a staff of 50. These days he has two casual pickers he works with during the harvesting season – both are older people who have worked with him for years.
Select harvest (Video available soon) Location: Robinvale, VIC
Select Harvests are the second largest almond growers in the world, the largest processing facility – a new addition on the property – in the world. They are industry leaders within almond farmers, and 50% of Australia’s almonds come from Select.
From 1997 – 2008 they have grown from 1,900 acres to over 38,000. They currently employ 350 staff and are the major employer in the Robinvale region.
Go hydro!
Location: Turners Beach, TAS
The Brandsema’s have been farming for three generations and over 50 years (his father started the company in 1958). 12 years ago Anthony Brandsema decided to move towards growing tomatoes hydroponically.
They grow three types of tomatoes on site – ½ the area is dedicated to cherry tomatoes, ¼ grows truss tomatoes, and the last ¼ is taken up with loose tomatoes. The farm is 1.2 hectares.
My brother, my garden keeper
Location: New Town, TAS
Greg and Damien built their nursery 25 years ago. They offer both wholesale and retail sales – Damien runs the wholesale part about (15-20mins up the Derwent Road). They sell what they grow and also buy plants from other people. It is a general nursery but always changing with what plants are available seasonally.
They currently employ 14 staff and have been finalists for Garden Centre of the Year for a number of years (but not yet quite cracked the title). Their nephew has expressed an interest in carrying on the business.
Growing veggies in Australia
Location: Clayton, VIC
Ross Ord is an expert on the vegetable growing industry in Australia. In this piece he will discuss the organisation Ausveg, key issues facing their members (the growers) and career opportunities for young people.
Industry Opinion – Agriculture today (Video available soon)
Location: Canberra, ACT
Kris is the CEO of Horticulture Australia Council. She grew up in the Blue Mountains on a mixed fruit orchard. She originally studied a degree in arts, but specialised in vocational and training issues for around 20 years.
Horticulture Australia Council was established in 2000. Their members are key national peak industry bodies as well as state-based growers’ associations, and their main objectives are:
1. Finding and addressing key issues that impact on the peak bodies
2. Creating a strong, united voice to present to the government about key issues facing the industry
Some of these issues include labour/skills shortages, natural resource management (such as water), climate change issues (including disaster preparation and relief), trade issues, management of exotic plants and diseases, peri-urban issues (urban areas expanding into traditionally rural areas), equitable trade.
About Agri-food Industry Skills Council
The Agri-Food Industry Skills Council was established in May 2004 as one of 10 Industry Skills Councils established to provide accurate industry intelligence on current and future skill needs and training requirements. Agri-food ISC operates across five broad industry sectors including rural and related industries, food processing, meat, seafood and racing. Their role also includes actively supporting quality training and workforce development, and providing advice to enterprises and employment services on these matters. www.agrifoodskills.net.au
About Horticulture Australia Limited
Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) is a national research, development and marketing organisation that works in partnership with the horticulture sector to invest in programs that provide benefit to Australian horticulture industries. HAL invests almost $80 million annually in projects in partnership with the horticulture sector and runs more than 1200 research, development and marketing projects covering a diversity of topics including skills development. www.horticulture.com.au
In Full Bloom
