Hydroponic Vegetable Grower
9 years growing crops in controlled greenhouse production system in Woodend, Victoria, 1989–2007
Hydroponic Farmers Federation Inc
Foundation Secretary from 1995
Committee Member 2005–2015
Life Member 2014
Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association Inc
Committee member in 1995
National president 1999–2010
Protected Cropping Australia
Board member
Chairman 2010–2012
Member 2013–2015
Life Member 2012
Graeme Smith Consulting
- Company formed in 1998 to offer system and crop consultancy services to new and existing growers across Australia.
- Company has developed full training package in commercial hydroponic crop production.
- Facilitated a 5-year plan for the development and delivery of a skills training package for all industry growers across Australia.
- Developed and delivered national workshops to assist greenhouse growers to convert to full nutrient recycling (closed) systems delivering an annual industry saving of AU$25million.
- Company facilitates greenhouse study tours of Europe & North America, encouraging growers to assess firsthand new and emerging technologies and how to integrate into their existing systems.
- Performs detailed feasibility studies including climate and financial studies for new and existing enterprises (inc. ROI & EBIT), including most of the larger commercial systems throughout Australia.
- Has completed 48+ greenhouse projects around Australia ranging from 180m2 to 160,000m2 (16ha)
- Multiple projects in India (5) and China (3) and Singapore encompassing traditional greenhouse systems, aquaponics, vertical farms, automation, training and novel crops
- Led the design process for a modern, efficient, state of the art, 18ha semi-closed greenhouse for the production of medicinal cannabis using automation to facilitate low-cost production.
- Graeme is a Charted Agriculturist (CAg) and an Accredited Member of the Australian Institute of Agricultural Science and Technology (AIAST).
- Graeme is Chairman of ISHS Working Group – ‘Hydroponics and Aquaponics’ and Vice Chair of ISHS Division – Protected Cultivation and Soilless Culture