Event information

• Date: 7th May 2026

• Location: Powerplants, 27 Technology Circuit Hallam VIC 3803

• Cost: $250 + GST per person

Introduction to the principles of Plant Empowerment

Plant Empowerment training supports growers to create greenhouse conditions where plants can actively regulate their own processes by balancing energy, climate and crop needs.

This full-day session introduces key Plant Empowerment principles before moving into a range of focus areas relevant across greenhouse systems, with flexibility to address grower questions and needs throughout the day.

About the trainer

Ton Habraken

The course will be delivered by Ton Habraken (Greenhouse Climate Expert). Ton brings a wealth of knowledge across areas such as advanced greenhouse climate control, plant physiology and plant responses to climate, and using data to inform decision-making. This includes practical approaches to maintaining an active and uniform crop, ventilation strategies, and translating sensor data into meaningful insights, along with key concepts underpinning climate and energy balance.

The Growing horticulture through protected cropping innovation program (AS23001) is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers with co-investment from Applied Horticultural Research (AHR), Flavorite Hydroponic Tomatoes, The Costa Group, Apex Greenhouses, The Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), PolyBee and contributions from the Australian Government.

The program, will help protected cropping growers maintain profitability by delivering key aspects of the Protected Cropping Strategic Investment Plan, specifically sustainability, advanced agronomy, automation to reduce labour costs, energy and improving staff skills and management.

 Learn more

To keep update to date with the program, contact

Anita Chennell (anita.chennell@ahr.com.au) or visit ahr.com.au/protected-cropping

About the course

This course is the industry standard for training in chemical use, storage and handling, and covers two nationally accredited competencies:

• AHCCHM304 Transport and store chemicals

• AHCCHM307 Prepare and apply chemicals to control pest, weeds and diseases

This course covers pest ID, modes of action, label interpretation, issues associated with chemical use, formulation types, weed and pest control application, transport and disposal, preparation and clean up, recording and other procedures.

This face to face training session will also be focussing on specific issues within the protected cropping industry.

Course facilitator

Tony Bundock, Project Manager, Protected Cropping Australia

Tony Bundock has been involved in the protected cropping industry for over 45 years. He started his career in the UK and attended the prestigious Writtle Agricultural College where he gained his Diploma in Commercial Horticulture. Tony then went on to manage a commercial cut flower farm in the Lea Valley,

Tony emigrated to Australia in 1990 and took up roles for a number of TAFE colleges delivering horticultural courses, and was instrumental in the establishment of Chisholm’s Protected Cropping training facility.

Tony then worked for Powerplants Australia as their lead trainer for Priva systems, and went on to establish his own training company – Genesis Horticultural Solutions.

Currently Tony also works as a project manager for Protected Cropping Australia as well as delivering industry based training on a range of subjects.

 Tony holds a Masters degree in Education and is Priva’s only registered trainer for the Oceania region.

Contact

If you require any further information or have any questions, please contact
Anita Chennell - anita.chennell@ahr.com.au