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 and national president 1999 – 2010.

Protected Cropping Australia - Chairman 2010 – 2012, Board 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