What was it all about?

From 2021 to 2023, this project delivered the turf industry’s annual NextGen event as well as educational resources for the next generation of Australian turf growers.

The NextGen program encourages leadership development, communication of R&D and marketing information, and professional networking for people aged under 40 in the Australian turf industry.  The turf levy investment enabled a substantially reduced registration cost for delegates to support widespread professional development of the next generation of Australian turf growers.

The NextGen Project strongly emphasised collaboration with industry peers to support innovative ideas, concepts, and problem-solving, as well as exposure to presentations and activities that challenged attendees to think strategically and productively. Over the past three years, the project provided resources for the group to extend their development at both farm and business levels and opportunities to continue social connections with other younger growers.

NextGen events and conferences were designed around the key topics facing the younger generation, such as succession planning, production costs, sustainability, and being productive and innovative. The speakers chosen all covered vital topics such as strategic thinking, innovation, and continuous improvement in farm business practices. The NextGen Project aimed to have all young turf farmers strive for improvement in all these areas identified above and to become inspired to find new opportunities that increase profitability for the betterment of their business and the industry.

The success of the project is seen in the emergence of young turf leaders who have become part of their farm business management or succession program. Feedback and attendance of the young turf leaders at the Annual Turf Industry Conference show this project’s positive impact on the turf industry's young leaders.