News & Events

  BGGA e-newsletter

View and subscribe to our FREE monthly e-newsletter, which provides the latest workforce and regional development updates as well as key industry events happening in the North Queensland horticulture sector.

Bowen Health Connection

Helena, our Community Nutritionist, hosted an engaging Cook & Chat session where local parents discovered easy ways to pack more nutrition into their lunchboxes.

Students seeking agriculture work experience

Home Hill High School students are eager to gain hands-on experience in your agriculture business! These Year 10–12 students (aged 15 to 18) are looking for opportunities to work on farm or in the agriculture supply chain, whether for a one-week placement or ongoing work experience throughout the year.

Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus Factsheet

Biosecurity Queensland recently released a factsheet detailing the supply chain surveillance process for Tomato Brown Rugose Fruit Virus (ToBRFV) testing.

BGGA Grower Impact Survey

We are planning to provide information regarding these impacts to state government. To assist with this advocacy work, we are asking growers to complete a short survey regarding current and longer term impacts on your business, cost of production and estimated delays to harvest.

North Queensland Agriculture Excellence Awards 2025

The North Queensland Agriculture Excellence Awards will celebrate the outstanding businesses and individuals driving innovation, sustainability, and growth in the region’s agricultural industry.

March E-Newsletter – Edition 3

BGGA’s March Roundup – everything you need to know!

Changes to the Horticulture and Pastoral Awards from 1 April 2025

Important Update: Changes to the Horticulture and Pastoral Awards from 1 April 2025

First Aid and CPR Training

Register now for First Aid and CPR training – March 7th 2025, Bowen. This subsidised training for plant based growers is funded through Smart Ag Queensland, a collaboration between the Queensland Farmers’ Federation and the Queensland Government to support Queensland farmers.

Supervisors Short Course

This course is aimed at supervisors and/or team leaders, or those aspiring to these roles, within the agriculture sector, and will equip participants with professional mentoring, coaching and supervisory capabilities to support workplace development and optimal performance of their staff and/or trainees.

Geared Up Workforce – Horticulture – specific HR/IR training

Agribusiness owners are expected to be compliant and effective in your HR and IR practices, and often without any formal training or learning in this space. There’s a lot to be across and to get right. Often, it’s confusing and can be a minefield to navigate on your own. If you feel like this then this targeted training is for you and your team. 

Have Your Say: 2025 Vegetable Industry Sentiment Survey 

Findings from the AUSVEG Vegetable Industry Sentiment Report highlight the seriousness of the situation:
• 34% of growers are considering leaving the industry within the next 12 months.
• 50% of growers are financially worse off than the previous year.
• Financial pressures have forced many to delay critical investments in infrastructure, innovation, and sustainability.

New Criminal Underpayment Laws have Started

From 1 January 2025, intentional underpayment of wages or entitlements can be a criminal offence.

Learn more about what’s changed and what you can do now at New criminal underpayment laws have started.
Download the Code and supporting guide at Voluntary Small Business Wage Compliance Code.

Cyberwardens

The Cyber Wardens program is a simple education tool designed to make your small business cyber-safe. Educating your team about cyber threats will help to protect your small business against cyber threats and recover from a cyber attack.
For more information on this FREE program, and to enrol, click here.

Hort Innovation Scholarships

Applications are now open for the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Produce Executive Program.

This year Hort Innovation is sponsoring four scholarships for vegetable levy payers that will cover the full registration fee.

Smart Ag Queensland – Truck Training and Licensing

Horticulture and plant based growers can now access subsidised MR, HR and HC training through Smart Ag Queensland.