In the aftermath of a challenging few weeks marked by intense scrutiny of the practices adopted by major retailers, it seems reasonable to assume that a significant amount of damage control is underway behind the scenes.

Albert Einstein once said, "If you can't explain it to a six-year-old, you don't understand it yourself." The labyrinth like world of Queensland's fresh produce supply chain certainly lives up to this complexity.

Late last year we met with banana, papaya, mango and vegetable growers in the far north, the same growers who helped shape our national We Give a Fork campaign. It was time to ask what they thought of the campaign. What was the verdict?

While the Year of Horticulture may have come to a close our eye is firmly on what lies ahead in 2024 - the year #WeGiveAFork and a year of Partners Who Care. In fact, the two go hand in hand.

Connection in the bush is in crisis. That’s what growers told us during our recent state-wide connectivity push. And if it wasn’t so serious, it’d be a joke.  

Many of us this week will be in the throes of planning and shopping for our Christmas feasts with colourful decorations, unusual salad combinations, and yummy desserts featuring plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables and nuts taking centre stage.

It’s been two weeks since we launched our national public awareness campaign ‘We Give A Fork’ designed to educate consumers and decision makers alike, as to the complexities in production horticulture.

Last week Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) celebrated our 100th anniversary supporting the horticultural industry.

People working in agriculture production systems across Australia converged in Launceston last week for the international Australasia-Pacific Extension Network (APEN) Conference.

In the last couple of weeks Queensland horticultural growers have experienced two very different and frightening impacts.

From a self-proclaimed Gen X digital migrant, last week’s AgTech Showcase at the Gatton Smart Farm was met with both trepidation and curiosity.

Did you know… that 25% of all the food we produce in Australia goes to waste? Along the food chain, this waste and associated losses cost $36.6 billion per year.

Last week all QFVG staff were asked to complete a mental first aid course by Christmas as it was recognised that horticulture is really struggling, and we needed to be prepared to support in any way we can.

International Day of Rural Women was celebrated last week during a week of turmoil in Australia’s history. Women too have had to fight for rights as a minority and respect for their roles in relationships, families, businesses, and society.

2023 holds special significance for QFVG, aka Growcom, aka COD, as it commemorates our 100th year in operation.

Setting goals and charting the course of an entire sector for the next decade sounds like a daunting task, but Queensland horticulture hasn’t hesitated in beginning to execute its Future Fields strategy.

When anyone asks me what I believe is the main issue in horticulture, the answer I have been giving all year is: “Within the last three years, input costs have risen between 30 and 65 percent and productivity has decreased by a third. What business can survive those numbers?”

Last week I appeared as a witness to the Inquiry into the impact of climate change on Queensland agricultural production where I had three minutes to sum up its relationship with horticulture. Here’s what I said.

Queenslander was the war cry booming from the recent Granite Belt Growers Gala Dinner, with former State of Origin stalwart and fellow Stanthorpian (his words) Billy Moore at the helm of the microphone leading the charge on the night.

‘Acts of God’ as they are commonly known, including hailstorms, flooding, cyclones, earthquakes, and lightning are considered by every grower in their seasonal planning. ‘Acts of men’ however should be equally considered as we enter a new season.