The Horticultural Industry Is Seeking Its Best

The Horticultural Industry Is Seeking Its Best

Two viticulturists, a nurseryman, a fruit export manager and a vineyard manager make up a select group of young New Zealanders who have won the prestigious Young Horticulturist of the Year competition. The call is now out for talented horticulturists throughout the country to put themselves forward and enter their sector competitions to ultimately compete for the honour of being 2010’s top horticultural industry achiever.

The competition, in its sixth year, was created to inspire and acknowledge horticulturists aged under 30 years. The Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust, in conjunction with the sponsors of the competition, encourages participants to initially enter the competition via one of the following horticultural sectors:

NZ Arboriculture Association
Fruit Sector of Horticulture NZ
Floriculture, which includes Floristry NZ Inc and NZ Flower Growers
Landscaping NZ
Nursery and Garden Industry Association
NZ Recreation Ass’n-Amenity Horticulture
NZ Winegrowers
Vegetable Sector of Horticulture NZ

During the year these sectors hold internal competitions and the winners then go on to represent their sector at the Grand Final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition in Auckland in early November.

Young Horticulturist of the Year event organiser Elenka Nikoloff urges young horticulturists to first enter their sector competitions, with the goal of winning the overall title.

“There are some great opportunities for young people to further their skills and knowledge through the activities at these competitions,” said Elenka. “There are rewards for all participants, from meeting like-minded individuals to networking with key industry people, as well as the opportunity to win prizes while just having fun.

“And at the grand final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year, the successful sector winners have the opportunity to pit themselves against other young people who enjoy a challenge and are eyeing future leadership roles within the industry.”

From a prize pool of more than $43,000, the overall winner receives a selection of prizes, including a travel package, to the value of $10,000. Second prize includes a Massey study package to the value of $5,500 and the finalist who shows the most promise during the competition will receive a Leadership NZ Management course to the value of $15,000. The Agriculture and Marketing Research Trust (AGMARDT) also supports project prizes to the value of $11,000.

2009 winner Caine Thompson, of Taradale, entered the final competition via the NZ Winegrowers’ sector. As a company viticulturist and vineyards manager at Mission Estate, Napier, Caine will use his travel prize to visit the main wine growing regions of France.

“My passion is to grow and produce the best Rhone and Bordeaux varietals that compare with the finest in the world,” said Caine. “Thanks to this competition I get to experience the best of the best. I am particularly interested in the organic and biodynamic approach taken by many French producers. I want to bring this knowledge home and put it to practice in New Zealand.

“The competition certainly challenged me, but it was a phenomenal experience. You know you are growing as a person and as a leader when you put yourself into these situations by choice.”

The grand final of this year’s competition will be held over two days (November 3rd & 4th) and calls for sector winners to take part in a range of practical and desk-based activities. They are also asked to present a pre-prepared marketing project.

Elenka Nikoloff: “The sponsors of the 2010 Young Horticulturist of the Year - NZ Horticulture ITO, AGMARDT, Farmers Mutual Group, Fruitfed Supplies and Turners and Growers - are all delighted to support the competition as an initiative that highlights young achievers and career-orientated people from the various sectors.

“The competition encourages participants to benchmark themselves; to set tough goals and to achieve them I know that the confidence gained during the event and the contacts made, can go a long way to boost careers.”

Young Horticulturist of the Year Caine Thompson.

Young Horticulturist of the Year Caine Thompson receives his award.

ENDS

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