Final Report
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Final Report Communications Support for the Hazelnut Industry Trevor Ranford Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc Project Number: HZ13001 HZ13001 This project has been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited with co-investment from the Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc and funds from the Australian Government. Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) makes no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in Communications Support for the Hazelnut Industry. Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation is entirely at your own risk. Hort Innovation is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way (including from Hort Innovation or any other person’s negligence or otherwise) from your use or non-use of Communications Support for the Hazelnut Industry, or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation provides to you by any other means. ISBN 978 0 7341 3916 0 Published and distributed by: Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited Level 8, 1 Chifley Square Sydney NSW 2000 Tel: (02) 8295 2300 Fax: (02) 8295 2399 © Copyright 2016 Contents Summary....................................................................................................................................... 3 Keywords ...................................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction................................................................................................................................... 6 Methodology.................................................................................................................................. 7 Outputs......................................................................................................................................... 8 Outcomes.................................................................................................................................... 11 Evaluation and Discussion ............................................................................................................. 19 Recommendations........................................................................................................................ 22 Scientific Refereed Publications...................................................................................................... 23 IP/Commercialisation.................................................................................................................... 24 References .................................................................................................................................. 25 Acknowledgements....................................................................................................................... 26 Appendices.................................................................................................................................. 27 2 Summary In Australia the landscape of volunteer organisation has changed over the past decade and this brings some challenges to Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc, in its aim to best guide the industry and its growth in a positive fashion. We were finding it difficult to gather and maintain volunteers in this space where commercial realities were difficult yet vast. The Hazelnut Growers Association (HGA) is the peak body representing the interests of hazelnut growers in Australia. The industry is rapidly expanding its production as a result of increased plantings over the last five years. As a result the industry required substantial continuing development to support this expansion. As the Project Team Leader and President (2013 to 2015), I have limited experience in the Australian horticultural industry and have found the Communications Project Officer’s role to be an invaluable one in identifying and realising opportunities. It is vital that our industry stands tall amongst our peers and this role has assisted greatly in this aim by identifying and projecting opportunities, clarifying past experiences and working with the Executive to grow our industry. HGA has established itself as an important and integral member of the Australian Nut Industry and while the smallest industry within the nut sector HGA has been able to present itself as a professional and competent organisation. HGA has and continues to present itself and relevant industry issues at a wide range of government, industry and community committees, organisations and meetings. Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc has continued the Communications Project Officer project through to December 2015 to build on the success of the first two years. Regular communication of technical and regulatory developments to a developing industry's grower base by a trusted well informed source was vital to support industry up-take, growth, development and profitability resulting in confidence and further growth. While the “Communications Support for the Hazelnut Industry” was a small project ($16,500 over eighteen months) it has been a very important one for the Australian Hazelnut Industry because it has brought some focus into the past, current and future needs and activities of the Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc, and introduced a high level of professionalism. Over the past three and a half years the Communications Project Officer has undertaken a wide range of activities that have been most important in achieving the goals of the project and clarifying and re-prioritizing future goals. HGA is committed to continuing the programs and projects generated from this project utilising all available resources to ensure the momentum gained over the past three and a half years is not lost. HGA is already planning a range of new initiatives post December 2015 including:- a) improving the industry’s ability to manage biosecurity activities, b) development of a new Strategic plan, R,D & E investment strategies, Marketing investment strategies, and specific development activity schedules, and c) participating in the inaugural ‘Tri-Nut Conference’. As well as consolidating the recent past relationship building of sponsors, supporters and members. Further with the changes to available funding effectively removing access of HGA to Government assistance, this role has placed HGA in a position where we may continue to be the best advocates for our growers. 3 4 Keywords Hazelnuts; Communications; Technology Transfer; Communications Project Officer; Biosecurity; Grower survey; Statistics; Conference; Pests; Diseases; Chemicals. 5 Introduction Regular communication of technical and regulatory developments to a developing industry’s grower base by a trusted well informed source is vital to support industry up-take, growth, development, and profitability, resulting in confidence and further growth has been determined as an essential component of any Horticulture Industry. The Australian Hazelnut Industry is no different. The Australian hazelnut industry’s PIB, Hazelnut Growers of Australia Inc (HGA), has a membership of 80 – 100 financial members and is administered by a voluntary Board of Management. HGA is aware that an unknown number of hazelnut growers exist who are not members of HGA. The need for professional support in communications to improve member service and reach all commercial hazelnut growers was identified as a result of a strategic planning workshop in October 2011. The HGA estimates that production is currently about 70 tonnes, from a planted area of 130 Ha (including young orchards yet to come into production). The HGA predicts that by 2015 production could total 150 tonnes in-shell, from an area planted of close to 200 Ha. This development will be the result of a continued expansion in area planted to hazelnuts, and the use of new high yielding varieties identified in research conducted by the HGA. The peak industry body decided to take a leadership role and support the further development of the industry. In the recent process of developing an industry strategic plan the HGA identified a number of activities that would support continued industry growth and development. In order to complete these tasks the employment of a part time Communications Officer to support the voluntary Board of Management of HGA was determined as an essential part of the process. HGA‟s lodged an application for funds from HAL and this gained approval in November 2011. Advertisements were placed for a part time Communications Project Officer (CPO) and a skilled professional Horticultural administrator, mentor and communicator has been appointed on a part time contract. The appointee, Trevor Ranford, has an excellent track record of advancing the communications reach, technical transfer and development of small and large horticultural industries. Furthermore, Mr Ranford has broad experience of representing, mentoring and meeting the needs of several Australian tree nut industries. During the period of 2012 – 2015 Mr Ranford has continued to provide supporting communication capacity, expand, develop and implement projects initiated in year one, and provide direction and guidance to HGA Board. Over the past three and a half years HGA has been able to build recognition for and relevance to industry of HGA as a source of technical information and industry leadership through a structured