Grower

On Farms

Grower

Core tasks

Planning and coordinating the production and marketing of crops from soil preparation to harvest taking into account environmental and market factors.
Selecting and planting seeds, seedlings, and bulbs, and grafting new varieties to root stocks.
Maintaining crop production by cultivating, de-budding and pruning, and maintaining optimal growing conditions.
Organising and conducting farming operations, such as collecting, storing, grading, and packaging produce, and organising the sale, purchase and despatch of produce.
Directing and overseeing general farming activities such as fertilising and pest and weed control.
Maintaining farm buildings, fences, equipment, and water supply systems.
Maintaining and evaluating records of farming activities, monitoring market activity, and planning crop preparation and production to meet contract requirements and market demand.
Managing business capital including budgeting, taxation, debt, and loan management.
May select, train, and supervise staff and contractors.
Develop climate risk management strategies.
Manage work health and safety processes.

The Career Pathways

A horticulture grower oversees the entire cropping process from ground preparation, irrigation, fertigation, seeding, through to picking, processing, and packing of vegetable crops and other horticultural commodities.

Diploma of Horticulture

Advanced Diploma of Horticulture

Certificate III in Horticulture

Certificate III in Protected Horticulture

Diploma of Applied Agronomy

Mitchell East, Willarra Gold

"Every day is different but every day is exciting… I love being outdoors, part of nature — you’re out there with the birds and the bees, seeing flowers open with the sunrise. Those sorts of things really give me a bit of a kick."

On Farms

Watch the interview