- A first for the agriculture sector, the Queensland Agworkforce Summit is to be held virtually on Wednesday 3 to Friday 5 August 2022. Join QFF in an interactive collaborative online experience bringing together Queensland agribusinesses to discuss workforce issues and strategies to ensure they have a sustainable workforce over the next five years. QFF and the Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance have partnered with Jobs Queensland and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries to deliver this summit. Find more information and register HERE.
- QFF CEO Jo Sheppard today provided comment on the release of the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) final determination on 2022-23 regulated retail electricity prices for Queensland which has raised concern for farmers and regional communities. QFF will continue to work with all levels of government, industry and community stakeholders to find affordable electricity solutions and price certainty – the future of farming and regional Queensland depends on it. Read Jo’s comments HERE.
- “I now drive a ute around collecting samples from the same paddocks that I rode my push bike around as a kid.” Based at MSF Sugar’s Mulgrave Mill, Jasmine has been working on projects to facilitate practice change for growers, and in a productivity role assisting with disease, pest, and maturity projects. This employment, through QFF’s Agricultural Extension Work Placement Program, has given Jasmine the opportunity to reintegrate herself into her hometown life, and she has been enjoying the connection with family, community, rivers, and the rainforest. Read about Jasmine’s experience HERE.
- Last week, QFF member Growcom unveiled the 10-year strategic plan for the Queensland fresh produce sector, Future Fields. The sector is estimated to be worth in excess of $3 billion annually to the state’s economy. It’s the state’s second largest and fastest growing agricultural industry, and source of significant employment and wealth creation in many regional communities. This collaborative project was led by Growcom on behalf of the Queensland fresh produce sector and supply chain, and was proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government. Download Future Fields HERE.
- Nominations for the 2022 Reef Champion Awards are open. The Awards are a celebration of the outstanding achievements of individuals and organisations working to improve the quality of water entering the iconic Great Barrier Reef. The Awards recognise the dedicated land managers, Traditional Owners, extension officers, industries and members of the community excelling in their efforts to help safeguard the future of the Reef. Find more information and the sponsorship prospectus HERE.
- As technology becomes increasingly important in the booming aquaculture industry, Queensland prawn farmers, workers, industry stakeholders and future employees are invited to attend a free half-day workshop to get their tech skills up to scratch. Co-led by the Australian Prawn Farmers Association and CQUniversity’s Agri-tech Education and Extension team, the workshops will present attendees with a range of tools they can use to give their businesses an edge in a rapidly growing market. Find more information and register HERE.
- ‘Is value-adding a pipe dream for Australian agriculture?’ Entries are open for AFI’s annual John Ralph Essay Competition. The unwelcome and unexpected combination of a global pandemic and geo-political disruption has focused the attention of policymakers on supply chain security across the economy, and especially in agriculture. A renewed appetite and suite of new incentives for investment in onshore processing and manufacturing could provide additional opportunity for Australian farmers and producers. But if it was easy or obviously beneficial it would have happened already. What are we missing? Find information about the competition HERE.
- QFF is seeking to appoint a program manager with experience in banking, insurance or the financial sector. The successful candidate will display an understanding of farm enterprises and agricultural crop yield concepts. They will lead a new innovative crop insurance project and oversee the delivery of additional insurance-related projects within the QFF project portfolio. See job the advertisement for the Risk and Insurance Program Manager, Agriculture HERE.
- QFF in collaboration with Jobs Queensland have developed a suite of free workforce planning tools for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in Queensland’s agriculture sector. Workforce Connect comprises a digital toolkit, workbook and supporting fact sheets and templates. Workforce Connect can be accessed HERE.
- Women & Leadership Australia (WLA) is currently offering professional development scholarships to women across all areas of the agriculture sector. To encourage more women to increase their impact at work and step into leadership roles, WLA is offering scholarships for four leadership development courses. Scholarships of $1000-$5000 are available and applications close 8 September 2022. Find more information and enquire HERE.
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