Hortfocus
February 2016 February Issue 2016 No.5
The latest on practices, people and products for a growing industry
Young Grower of the Year – essential to an industry vision Horticulture needs young leaders – leaders to drive our industry
• NZ Young Vegetable Grower – 28 April, Riccarton Park
into a future where $10 billion by 2020 is possible. Horticulture
Racecourse and Rydges Hotel, Christchurch.
New Zealand’s 2015 Young Grower of the Year Hamish Gates,
• Central Otago Young Fruit Grower – 27 May, Otago
along with the 33 others who competed this year, will help make that vision a reality. Young Grower of the Year is a series of competitions run by HortNZ and its partners to find the best young fruit or vegetable grower in the country. Competitions start in the regions and are run by local co-ordinators. Four fruit grower events are held in Central Otago, Bay of Plenty, Nelson and Hawke’s Bay and one
Polytechnic, Horticulture Training Facility, Cromwell. • Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower – 22 June, Mills Reef Winery, Tauranga. • Nelson Young Fruit Grower – 1 July, Hoddy’s Orchard and the Headingly Centre, Nelson. • Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower – 8 and 9 July, A&P Showgrounds, Hastings.
vegetable grower event is held in Canterbury. Regional events are constantly evolving, with co-ordinators thinking creatively about
Now in its 10th year, the national final will be held for the first
how to foster best practice and leadership in our young growers.
time in Pukekohe at the Pukekohe Indian Association Hall on
Competitions are held from April to July and spectators are
20 July. Eight different modules are designed to test the five
welcome to support contestants while they battle it out for
regional finalists’ practical abilities, business acumen, innovation
the title of best fruit or vegetable grower in their region. The
and imagination. A panel discussion on leadership and a
five finalists from regional competitions move on to the Young
speech at the evening awards dinner will put into practice the
Grower of the Year final.
communication and presentation skills they develop at the Media and Presentation course included in their regional prize pack.
Farmlands Horticulture Hortfocus
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