RENOWNED gardening writer and broadcaster Monty Don has been confirmed as the keynote speaker at an event celebrating Welsh horticulture at the National Botanic Gardens.

On Monday, March 9, supply chain efficiency project Horticulture Wales is staging Bringing Growers Together at the garden, a one-day conference specifically for fruit, veg, flower, plant and tree growers, along with other representatives from the wider horticulture industry.

The event will see Monty talk about his philosophy of growing and share stories from his illustrious career. In addition, Stephen Hedderly, Managing Director of Bedfordshire Growers - one of the largest and most successful vegetable co-operatives in the UK - will speak about the opportunities offered by collaborative working, while Simon Goodenough, Curator of Horticulture at the National Botanic Garden of Wales, will explore the role of botanic gardens in the 21st century and how they can build relationships with commercial growers.

Attendees will also get to participate in a fun and informal ‘Cultivating Connections’ speed networking session, giving them a fantastic opportunity to meet with other growers from right across Wales and share their experiences.

Dr David Skydmore, Project Director of Horticulture Wales, commented: “This event will provide a perfect platform for growers and the wider horticulture sector in Wales to meet, share ideas and insight, and discuss the challenges our industry faces.”

The ‘Bringing Growers Together’ conference will run from 10am until 4pm, with attendees treated to a Welsh-sourced organic buffet lunch.

Growers and others working in the Welsh horticulture sector keen to attend the event are required to pre-register in advance as soon as possible. For further details contact Horticulture Wales on (01978) 293967, email horticulturewales@glyndwr.ac.uk, or visit www.horticulturewales.co.uk.

Horticulture Wales provides focused, expert support to enhance the efficiency of businesses involved in both edible and amenity horticulture supply chains within Wales. The Horticulture Wales project has received funding through the Supply Chain Efficiencies scheme of the Rural Development Plan for Wales. This scheme is funded by the Welsh Government and the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development. Horticulture Wales is headed up from Glyndwr University’s Northop campus in Flintshire, North Wales.

For further information, please visit www.horticulturewales.co.uk, telephone 01978 293967, email horticulturewales@glyndwr.ac.uk, or follow on Twitter @Hortwales.