Collaborate and educate to reconnect the disconnect – that’s the message from the next crop of leaders in the Australian vegetable industry, who will receive a hands-on lesson in leadership next week as the 18 members of the 2017 Growing Leaders cohort head to Hort Connections in Adelaide to learn from the industry’s leading members.

Growing Leaders is a leadership platform delivered through funding from Horticulture Innovation Australia. It is the only national industry-specific leadership program for the Australian vegetable industry, and focuses on developing participants’ personal and professional skills, as well as equipping them to handle industry change and management.

“Hort Connections 2017 is going to bring together the leaders in the worlds of fresh vegetables, fruit and cut flowers, and there’s no better place for the next generation of the industry to come and learn how to make a lasting contribution to the success of our sector,” said AUSVEG National Manager – Communications Shaun Lindhe.

“Growing Leaders participants are going to have the chance to hear from expert speakers, meet with major agribusinesses at the trade show, and connect with industry members from Australia and around the world to discuss the key issues we’re facing.

“This experience will be invaluable as they develop the skills they need to step into leadership positions and help the Australian vegetable industry grow into the future.”

AUSVEG is the leading horticultural body representing Australia’s vegetable and potato growers.

Growing Leaders consists of nine days where participants attend workshops that focus on experiential learning. These days occur during three three-day residential sittings, with the first residential held in Melbourne in March, and the third to be held in Canberra in September.

Hort Connections 2017, to be held from 15-17 May at the Adelaide Convention Centre, is being co-hosted by the leading organisations in Australian horticulture, including AUSVEG, PMA Australia-New Zealand, Australian Organic, Onions Australia, Irrigation Australia, Central Markets Association of Australia, Fresh Markets Australia, Potatoes South Australia, Growcom and Nursery and Garden Industry Australia.

“Growing Leaders has been running since 2008, and the annual residentials at industry conventions always give our participants huge benefits,” said Rural Training Initiatives Managing Director Jill Briggs.

“Coming to industry events can really help young industry members understand their place in the national industry and how they and their businesses can make a difference as leaders in our sector.

“The mission statement of this year’s Growing Leaders cohort is to have a connected vegetable industry with a sustainable future, and I can’t think of a better way to help them achieve this than by taking part in Hort Connections.”

ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Shaun Lindhe, AUSVEG National Manager – Communications
Phone: (03) 9882 0277, Mobile: 0405 977 789, Email: shaun.lindhe@ausveg.com.au