06
Jun, 2025
Sketch Corp’s Carolina and Ayla attended the recent Hort Connections 2025 in Brisbane – an event that goes beyond simply a conference, to be a space where the future of horticulture takes shape.
Held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre from 4-6 June, Hort Connections 2025 brought together more than 4,000 delegates from across Australia and New Zealand’s horticulture industry. From growers and processors to tech innovators and sustainability leaders, it was a valuable opportunity to listen, learn and connect with the latest people and progress in horticulture.
The Sketch Corp team enjoyed the opportunity to soak up insights from keynote speakers, explore the latest ag technologies and meet with brands pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in fresh produce. Here’s what stood out most – and why this event’s so important for the future of Australian agriculture.
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Skilled migration and horticulture’s workforce future
In a session focused on the Horticulture Industry Labour Agreement, Samantha Norman – the head of migration for the east coast division of Mapien – outlined the critical role skilled migration plays in addressing labour shortages across the sector. Highlighting the thirty-one key occupations and the ongoing support provided by the PALM scheme, Samantha reinforced the message that policy and process must ultimately serve the people behind the produce. As she summarised: “At the end of the day, it’s about people.”
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Investing in innovation – funding the future of agriculture
Alison Blanshard from NAB shared insights into the investment outlook for horticulture, which is forecast to be the fastest-growing agricultural sector through to 2030. She explored how funding innovation and automation will be crucial to meeting future demand – particularly as population growth drives the need for stronger infrastructure and more efficient food production. While challenges such as digital infrastructure gaps and policy uncertainty remain, the potential for the future is significant. In fact, it was noted that by 2030 AI alone could double horticultural productivity.
Women in agriculture
Television presenter and rural advocate Catriona Rowntree shared her personal journey of transitioning from the big city of Sydney to a life on a farm in rural Victoria. Speaking with warmth and candour, she reflected on the joys and challenges of regional life. This included reflecting on the inspiration behind her latest show, Country House Hunters, which follows city dwellers making the move to the country – a notable trend during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. Catriona’s empowering message for women in agriculture centred on embracing personal growth and change – captured beautifully in her reminder that “life is seasons.”
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Overall, Hort Connections 2025 reminded us that the future of horticulture is collaborative, technology-driven and deeply human. Whether it was conversations on sustainability, the rise of agtech, or the stories behind emerging brands, one thing is clear – this industry is set for exponential growth.
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