F3 Innovate Signs MOU with Queensland Horticulture

Article published in the North Queensland Register:

New agtech is one of the things that could be on the horizon for growers after the Crisafulli government signed a memorandum of understanding for collaboration between Queensland's horticulture sector and US-based non profit innovative agriculture body, F3 Innovate.

The announcement was made to coincide with Hort Connections 2025, Australia's largest horticulture trade event, in Brisbane, on June 4-6.

Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the partnership would help accelerate innovation and "build a skilled, agile workforce in the future".

"The partnership is a powerful boost for Queensland horticulture, enabling growers and researchers to tap into a global network of AgTech innovators and fast-track access to new technologies," Minister Perrett said.

In a statement, a spokesperson from the DPI said the memorandum of understanding will underpin a strategic collaboration between the DPI's Smart Farm initiative and F3 Innovate in areas such as agtech development and adoption, climate resilient farming systems, and allow access to partners including the University of California and the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

F3 Innovate is based in California's central valley, and is said to "bring together researchers, growers, and government organisations to solve the biggest challenges in agriculture".

CEO of F3 Innovate, Priscilla Koepke, said Queensland and California growers faced similar weather, water and labour challenges.

"The partnership is an exciting opportunity to share grower expertise, pressure-test new technologies, stand up joint field trials and open new pathways," Ms Koepke said.

"We're eager to connect Queensland innovators with our network of university partners, support AgTech development, create student exchanges and work together to build resilient agricultural solutions and systems that benefit growers on both sides of the Pacific."

California Department of Food and Agriculture secretary Karen Ross said the partnership would benefit California's specialty-crop growers to "keep pushing the frontier in accelerating innovations in agriculture".

"Working side by side across hemispheres will speed climate-smart breakthroughs that strengthen farmers in both regions, sustain our working lands and secure a vibrant, competitive future for specialty crops on two continents."

Read the full article on North Queensland Register.

For more information about F3 Innovate visit F3i.org

Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett