Future Horticulture Forum

Wednesday 26 February 2025
9:30am – 3:00pm
| Pacific Bay Resort

Western Sydney University, in collaboration with For Food Sake, invites you to the Future Horticulture Forum – an exciting event designed to showcase the latest research and innovation shaping the future of Australia’s horticultural and farming sectors.

This forum brings together leading academics, industry innovators, and key stakeholders to explore transformative advancements in the horticultural industry. Attendees will gain valuable insights into cutting-edge topics, including:

  • Smart glass technology for enhanced crop environments
  • Innovations in crop monitoring and microbiomes
  • Automation and precision mapping systems redefining farming practices
  • Strategies for a sustainable and efficient future in horticulture

The program will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with experts and peers. Additionally, project posters will be displayed throughout the day, offering a closer look at pioneering research and its real-world applications.

Why attend?

This forum is an invaluable opportunity to stay informed about emerging trends, connect with industry leaders, and discover solutions to advance sustainability and productivity in horticulture.

Admission Details:

Admission to the forum is included with your For Food Sake tickets or can be purchased separately for a low fee for day-only access.

We look forward to welcoming growers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals to this impactful event.

For further details and registration information, stay tuned to our upcoming announcements.

Program to come

Wednesday 26 February 2025

9:30 am

Welcome

Welcome to Country

Welcome from the FFS CEO | Dr James Krahe, FFS

Welcome from the FFS Program Lead | David Tissue, WSU

9:45 am

Environment – Smart Glass

Dr Sachin Chavan, WSU

Hasan Uz Zaman Raihan (PhD student), WSU

Md Hasan Sofiur Rahman (PhD student), WSU

Frank Yao, Innofocus Photonics Technology

Chris Wilkins, LLEAF

10:30 am

Morning tea / Networking

11:00 am

Technology – Crop Monitoring

Prof. Oula Ghannoum, WSU

Wayne Ford, Vertical Patch

Maurizio Rocchetti, Costa

Prof. Wen Hu, UNSW Sydney

11:35 am

Technology – Microbiome

Dr Kay Howard, Murdoch University

Dr Kim Tilbrook, Ecogrowth

Maurizio Rocchetti, Costa

Prof. Wen Hu, UNSW Sydney

12:00 pm

Technology – Mapping systems

Craig Shephard, UNE

Leoni Kojetin, Aust Macadamias

Rajendra Shilpakar, GSLLS

12:30 pm

Morning tea / Networking

1:30 pm

Automation

Dr Chris Lehnert, QUT

Tom McCue, Hort Innovation

Wayne Austin, Aushyd

2:00 pm

Future Horticulture (Panel)

Dr James Krahe (Chair), FFS

Dr Chris Lehnert, QUT

Craig Shephard, UNE

Dr Kay Howard, Murdoch University

Dist. Prof. David Tissue, WSU

Prof. Wen Hu, UNSW Sydney