YOUNG HORTIES
The future of horticulture is here and growing fast
There’s a new movement stirring in the world of Australian horticulture, and it’s bold, fresh, and powered by young professionals across the supply chain. Earlier this year, I joined Young Horties, Australia’s first national network created specifically for all young people working across the horticulture supply chain. I had the pleasure of attending the Brisbane Meet & Greet in June. The energy in the room was contagious, with passionate conversations about everything from farm innovation to leadership.
Interview by Chi Nguyen, vegetablesWA
Chi: Can you tell us a bit about yourselves and the team behind Young Horties?
and me. We come from different corners of the industry. Ebony has a background in extension, and I’m from the supply chain and events space. We both felt there was a real need for a national
community that supported and empowered young people across all sectors of horticulture.
Emily: Absolutely! Young Horties was founded in early 2025 by Ebony
Ebony: Our founding committee includes six of us: Emily, myself, Abby
to shape the future of our industry. Chi: The response has been amazing! What’s the engagement been like so far? Emily: We’ve been blown away! In just under 6 months, we’ve grown to over 140 members across Australia. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. People are excited to be part of something new and vibrant. Ebony: We’ve heard from people in every corner of the industry who are keen to connect. Whether they’re working on a farm, in R&D, or government, they’re all looking for that community of peers who understand their world. Chi: I also wanted to ask about your Meet & Greet events because I had the opportunity to attend the Brisbane gathering in June and was so impressed by the buzz in the room. It was a unique mix of fun, openness, and genuine curiosity among attendees. Can you share more about the vision behind these events and how they’ve been received? Emily: That’s great to hear! These events are designed to be relaxed but purposeful. They’re all about bringing people together in a face-to- face setting to share experiences, exchange ideas, and build real connections. Ebony: The Brisbane and Loxton events were fantastic. We’ve had such strong feedback. People loved the casual
The energy in the room was contagious, with passionate conversations about everything from farm innovation to leadership.
Templeton, Amberley Sprauge, Iain MacLennan, and Peter Jealous. It’s a diverse mix of skills and experiences, which has helped us create something that resonates with people across the entire supply chain from agronomy and marketing to policy and logistics. Chi: What inspired you to start Young Horties? Ebony: Honestly, it started with a simple question: why doesn’t horticulture have a national network
for young people, like they do in the cattle and grain sectors? We saw that gap and decided to do something about it. There’s so much talent in hort, and we wanted to build a community where young professionals could connect, grow, and be heard.
Emily: We wanted to create a space that’s professional, inclusive, and also fun. A place where people can build networks, find mentors, and share ideas
Membership is free and open to anyone under 40 working in or connected to horticulture.