Eight young contestants are poised to test their skills in the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition that kicks off on July 17 with a full day’s contesting before a gala dinner and awards evening to name the champion.
The annual competition, run in co-ordination with New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated as part of a goal to develop and retain young talent in the sector, will be showcasing the competitors’ horticultural skills with a series of theoretical and practical skill challenges.
“The competitions have an emphasis on practical production or close to orchard and farm skills and business skills associated with growing and industry knowledge,” said contestant liaison Bryce Morrison.
This year’s contestants reflect the influence of kiwifruit across the region, with six of the eight having strong links to the sector.
They include Jack Tortoiseshell, a DMS orchard manager who last year became the youngest ever orchard manager employed by DMS.
Fellow contestant Lilah Rosenfeldt has been an orchard manager for three years and now specialises in trials carrying out research on new cultivars.
Brad Whitehead is one of only two contestants not directly involved in kiwifruit. He grew up with a horticultural background, but became an accountant, only to leave his desk in 2020 for the avocado sector. He is a manager for Ashlin Avos.
This year’s entrants also include Plant & Food Research technician James Hickman and Ballance Agri-Nutrients horticultural specialist Grace Lowery.
The competition is now in its 17th year and has become a significant platform for emerging talent in the region’s vital sector.
