How AIH Future Voices Is Shaping the Future of Horticulture

By Ash Walker RH – AIH National Councillor – Head of the Future Voices

Australia’s horticulture industry is at a turning point. Skills shortages, climate pressures, and changing public perceptions are reshaping how we grow plants, manage landscapes, and attract new workers to the profession. In response, the Australian Institute of Horticulture (AIH) is investing in the future through its Future Voices sub-committee, a group dedicated to supporting and empowering the next generation of horticultural professionals.

Future Voices was established with a simple but powerful purpose: to connect young horticulturists, amplify their voices, and help them play an active role in shaping the industry they are entering. As the sub-committee continues to evolve, it is shifting toward a stronger focus on connection, collaboration, and action.

One of the key initiatives being introduced is a series of regular, Future Voices-led meetings. These gatherings will create a dedicated space for early-career horticulturists to share experiences, discuss challenges, and contribute ideas about the future of the profession. Importantly, they will also strengthen links between young professionals, AIH leadership, the AIH Fellows Group, and the wider horticultural sector.

These meetings are designed to be practical and purposeful. Rather than simply talking about problems, they will focus on real industry priorities such as workforce development, education pathways, sustainable horticultural practices, and public engagement with plants and green spaces. By giving young professionals a direct voice in industry conversations, Future Voices is helping to ensure that fresh ideas and lived experience inform long-term decisions.

A major focus of the committee is inspiring young people to see horticulture as a viable and rewarding career. Research shows that early exposure to plants, gardening, and nature plays a crucial role in shaping interest in environmental and land-based careers. Integrating horticulture into school programs, whether through science, agriculture, or environmental studies, has the potential to build plant knowledge while developing skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, and responsibility to local communities.

School gardens also play a vital role in this process. Studies in Australia and overseas demonstrate that school gardens improve student engagement, wellbeing, and learning outcomes. They connect classroom theory with hands-on experience and foster respect for plants, food systems, and landscapes. For many students, a school garden may be their first meaningful interaction with horticulture and the beginning of a lifelong pathway into the industry.

Personal stories are also central to Future Voices’ approach. Many horticulturists trace their passion back to early experiences in gardens and green spaces. For some, it began in the backyard with parents and grandparents. These early influences highlight the importance of mentorship and guidance in shaping future careers. Supporting young people through training, encouragement, and visible role models is key to building a resilient workforce.

Future Voices is committed to improving the visibility of horticultural career pathways through social media, industry events, mentoring, and storytelling. By showcasing real journeys, from apprenticeships and TAFE through to universities, nurseries, and public gardens, the committee aims to make the profession more relatable and accessible.

Ultimately, Future Voices is about building a stronger, more connected horticultural industry. By supporting emerging professionals, advocating for horticulture in education, and encouraging hands-on engagement from an early age, AIH is investing in both the future of the profession and its mission to promote planetary health.

The future of horticulture depends on the people growing into it today. By supporting them now, the industry can continue to grow, innovate, and thrive for generations to come.

See our current Future Voices https://aih.org.au/national-council/