Nelson’s finest compete for Young Fruit Grower crown

15 June 2012

Nelson’s finest compete for region’s Young Fruit Grower crown

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

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

The nine finalists are Jess Charles (22) and Harley Thompson (22) both from Inglis Horticulture, Riwaka; Jos Bell, (27) from Hoddy’s Orchard, Waimea Plains; Dan Phillipps, (21) from Wai West Horticulture, Waimea Plains; Zoe Eld (29) and Todd Harwood (21) from Kono Horticulture, Motueka; Brothers Mark Thomas (25) and Steve Thomas (23) from Thomas Bros, Riwaka; Jonathan Sutton (19) from Daelyn Partnership, Waimea Plains.

Last year’s regional winner Kevin Withington, who also took the national Young Fruit Grower of the year 2011 title, says the competition gives young horticulturists an ideal opportunity to showcase their skills outside of their normal work environment.

“The Young Fruit Grower competition brings 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 interesting way, we’ve had a record number of entrants this year which shows just how popular the competition is becoming.”

This year’s competition will be held on Wednesday June 27 at Hoddy’s Orchard Packhouse. The event begins at 9.30am and the public is welcome to attend. The competition will finish with a general knowledge quiz and contestant speech deliveries on ‘Nelson’s Biggest Asset’. The winner will be announced later that evening.

The winning Nelson Young Fruit Grower receives $1,500 cash and the Energies Fruit Foundation trophy in addition to an all expenses paid trip to Hawke’s Bay to view other orchard systems. Second runner up receives $1,000 plus a trip to Hawke’s Bay and third runner up receives $500.

The winner will also compete for the prestigious national Young Grower of the Year title next month in Auckland, at the Horticulture New Zealand 2012 Conference.

ENDS

© Scoop Media