15 June 2011

Nelson’s best young fruit growers will be going head-to-head this month to win a chance for the regional title of Nelson’s Young Fruit Grower.

Five competitors from the Waimea Plains and Riwaka will compete in a one-day event involving six tasks, all testing essential skills a successful grower needs to run a business, including assembling an irrigation system, block analysis and administering first aid.

This is the second year Nelson will take part in the Young Fruit Grower Competition as well as being one of the few regions to have a woman competing.

Andrew Kininmonth, the event co-ordinator says the competition gives young horticulturists an opportunity to showcase their skills outside of their normal work environment.

“It gives recognition to the wide range of skills growers need to learn to be the best in their field. These competitions help celebrate excellence in an informal and fun way which makes for a really interesting and fun occasion for the whole family.”

This year’s competition will be held on Friday, June 24 at Hoddy’s Orchard Packhouse. The event begins at 11am and the public are welcome to attend. The competition will finish with a general knowledge quiz and contestant speech deliveries on “To Spray or Not to Spray”. The winner will be announced later that evening.

The winning Nelson Young Fruit Grower receives $1500 cash, the Energie Fruit Charitable Trust Trophy and an all expenses paid trip to Hawke’s Bay to view other orchard systems. The winner will also compete for the prestigious national Young Grower of the Year title next month in Rotorua at the Horticulture New Zealand 2011 Conference.

ENDS

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