The meetings are the brainchild of Steve Tiley, Growcom’s new Hort360 Innovation Coach.

 “The Hort360 Innovation Coach program was launched by Growcom this year in recognition that there is a wide range of new technologies and research outcomes that might improve growers’ profits or sustainability - but that it is difficult for growers to implement these technologies into their current businesses without support,” he said.

“Most growers are too busy running their farms, and don’t often have the resources to investigate the free or co-contribution government and industry support they could be receiving for funding an innovation or change of management practice on farm. This is where Growcom’s Innovation Coach program comes in. With our help, growers no longer need to spend hours on the phone or on Google, trying to find out if they are eligible for grants or other support.”

Tiley will explain more at the first free Future Farms Forum which will be held as part of the Startup Tablelands Future Agro Challenge in conjunction with the Malanda Small Farms Field Day on Saturday, 12 November, at the Malanda Showgrounds, from 10.00 am.

A range of exciting speakers on the program will whet growers’ appetites by describing the benefits which innovation has brought to farms:

• Robert Watkinswill kick off the proceedings and set the scene. He is a second generation banana farmer from the Walkamin area, behind such innovations as Mt Uncle’s Green Banana Flour; Banana Blankey, a polypropylene material carton insert for packing bananas and a new banana harvester design;
• Steve Tiley, Growcom’s Hort360 Innovation Coach, will follow, talking about the range and number of diverse projects that can fall under the ‘innovation’ banner and where growers can go to seek assistance and support with their ideas;
• The HiveXchange's Dwight Woodforth will demonstrate Australia's first national wholesale market online. Attendees will experience trading produce directly to wholesale buyers with full price transparency, contract terms and automated administration. (Growers who wish to participate in the demonstration should e-mail).
• Mario Martini, Innovation Facilitator for AusIndustry, will talk about the Australian Government’s Entrepreneurs’ Programme, designed to provide advice and resources to improve business competitiveness and productivity;
• Yvette Everingham, Associate Professor, College of Science and Engineering, James Cook Universitywill discuss how Big Data and digital technologies are combining forces to provide for a more technology-driven approach to farming. The University’s Rapid Assessment Unit, focused on innovative scientific research and development for horticultural products, will also be discussed;
• Griffith University’s Rudi Bartels will discuss how research organisations can help growers with reference to a case study involving Sunray Strawberries on the Sunshine Coast.
• New Nuffield Scholar, Matt Fealy, from Blue Sky Produce, will talk about the background to his project investigating whether robotics can revolutionise horticulture;
• Industry Development Officer, Bowen Gumlu Growers Association, Anna McCowan will discuss the National Vegetable Extension Network, a $6 million national program that has been created to assist vegetable growers to access current research and development information and help them adopt best practice;  
• QAWN Far North Queensland and North Queensland Officers, Leanne Kruss and Bianca Fullarton,will discuss the jobs and skills programs growers can assess to build future workforces;
• Workplace Health and Safety Qld State Manager Fiona O’Sullivan and Senior Inspector Adam Spinelliwill discuss the new Queensland Government campaign to reduce accidents on farms.

Since it was launched in June this year, Growcom's Hort360 Innovation Coach program has gained wide industry acceptance among growers with a number of major projects now under way. These include value adding produce by-products, packing shed technology, precision agriculture, digital marketing, setting up access to R&D tax concessions and integrated technology solutions. 

The Hort360 Innovation Coach enables growers to maximise their access to grants and support mechanisms to realise their plans to implement innovation on their farms. The service is a part of production horticulture’s first Best Management Practice program, Hort360, which is designed to give growers a 360-degree view of their farm business operations.

Growers who wish to attend should drop in to the Future Farms Forum marquee on Country Lane at the Malanda Small Farms Field Day from 10.00 am. There will be an opportunity at the end of the program to talk to the presenters.

Growcom gratefully thanks sponsors, the HiveXchange and AustSafe Super, for assisting to bring about the first Future Farms Forum.