Private companies, grower organisations and state government agencies make large investments in research and development to support the success of Australian horticulture businesses.

Horticulture research and development (R&D) managers like Camilla Humphries, determine, implement and monitor research and development strategies, policies and plans for the horticulture sector.

Working for Hort Innovation, Camilla’s daily tasks involve procuring new investments, writing research proposals, and pitching new concepts to the industry’s strategic advisory panel while working closely with delivery partners, researchers from universities and private and government research organisations. Camilla’s interest in horticulture started at a young age, growing up on her family’s hobby apple orchard in Red Hill, Victoria, where she now also makes commercial apple cider.

She has a Master’s degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Melbourne. Camilla connects professional alumni with agriculture science students and offers them support, mentoring and career advice. She encourages inspiring agriculture science students or graduates to get in touch with her at camilla.humphries@horticulture.com.au.

Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australia’s horticulture industry, which manages the investment of grower levies in research and development. Its primary function is to create value for horticulture growers and those across the horticulture supply chain.