A national horticulture course offered by the University of Tasmania is having a considerable impact on the industry and producing award-winning graduates.
Since launching in 2017, The Masterclass in Horticultural Business has helped professionals from across the country turn their business ideas into actionable business plans and has seen many graduates go on to receive national industry recognition.
Joshua Maunder from Bellenden Ker, Queensland completed the Masterclass in 2019 and this year received a coveted Nuffield Scholarship.
Mr Maunder said connecting with others in the industry as part of the Masterclass was a valuable experience.
"The Masterclass was a fantastic way for me to develop new skills whilst networking and meeting growers from all over the country," Mr Maunder said.
"Whilst we all grew different crops, we faced the same issues and by working together, not only did we help each other solve problems, we developed life-long friendships".
Mr Maunder has received a 2021 Nuffield Scholarship supported by Westpac Agribusiness to investigate how the agricultural sector can adapt to rapidly changing climatic conditions through more resilient production methods.
A fellow Masterclass classmate, Matthew Griggs from Lucaston Park Orchards in Tasmania was named the 2020 APAL Young Grower of the Year.
Mr Griggs received a generous scholarship from Apple and Pear Australia Limited to study the Masterclass in Horticultural Business in 2019.
"The scholarship was really, really good, I'm so glad I got the chance to do it," Mr Griggs said.
"Being in agriculture, it's always changing and the more you can stay on the front foot of that and stay ahead of the game the more competitive you are going to be in the long-term."
Course coordinator Dr Mark Boersma from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture said he was delighted by the impact the course was having for industry and the participants.
"The Masterclass in Horticultural Business is in just its fourth year and we couldn't be prouder of the success of our graduates. It is rewarding to know we have made a contribution to the development of business leaders within the horticultural industry," he said.
The course is designed to deliver practical learnings, skills and insights that participants can immediately use to improve their business. This includes development of a personal business plan that is reviewed by a panel of experts from both the education and professional sector.
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