“I think I’m going to be at this company for a very long time.” Hort Innovation Graduate Engagement Program

This case study originally appeared in ‘Grads bring a burst of fresh growth to hort sector‘, published the Summer 2021 edition of AFG, available online here.

Eliza Seymour

Eliza Seymour, 25, has been in the Hort Innovation Graduate Engagement Program for nearly a year, after completing her studies in mid-2019. A dual Bachelor of Science (majoring in plant science) and Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in accounting) graduate, Eliza wasn’t quite sure what she wanted to do – except for knowing she would end up in agriculture.

After spending a few months in a sales role with a fresh produce producer in Brisbane, Eliza jumped at the chance to take on an internship position with Kenso Agcare. She ended up spearheading their hybrid vegetable seed project, after being given the space and support to conduct intensive research during her ten-week internship.

“It was really fascinating because it was a whole new industry for [Kenso],” she says.

“They really just said, this is an area we want to go into, and we want you to investigate it. So, I took the first few months at work to really have a look at the Australian hybrid vegetable seed industry, what opportunities there are, what varieties people are growing, and where the main growing regions are – a really comprehensive look at that side of the horticulture industry.”

Now, Eliza works full time in the new hybrid seed production department, putting that research to work in developing the best new hybrids to feed Australia – and going from strength to strength in the process.

“When I was studying, I was really into selective plant breeding and how that could help with yield in Australia,” she says. “We need to feed all these people, how do we do it? So [the role] really plays into that side of my plant science experience. In the last year we’ve gone from playing with about two different crop types to now over thirty.”

In her new role, Eliza says she’s found a career for life. “It’s been really cool to be a grad and to be able to be in this position where people are happy to support you and help you learn,” she says. “I was maybe going to go down the accounting path this time last year, thinking Oh, there aren’t enough jobs in ag. Now, I know what my career is going to be like.

“I think I’m going to be at this company for a very long time.”

Attracting new entrants into Australian horticulture – promoting careers in horticulture (LP15006) is funded by the Hort Frontiers Leadership Fund, part of the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership initiative developed by Hort Innovation, with co-investment from Rimfire Resources and contributions from the Australian Government.