Amber Davy wins 2026 Canterbury Young Grower title

Amber Davy has won the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower regional title.

Amber, quality and field manager for leading seed potato supplier Eurogrow, tested her skills against six other contestants to win the title at Lincoln University late last week.

She will now compete against six other regional winners in the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Cromwell on 27–28 August.

Amber, 29, says she “fell into the industry by accident” and found a career she loves — one that also involves dealing with people all over the world.

Having grown up on a sheep and beef farm near Taihape, she graduated from Lincoln University with a Bachelor of Agriculture degree.

A summer job (after she had left university) with seed potato crops sparked her interest in the sector. After graduating, she spent two seasons driving machinery for a potato grower and, between harvests, worked in tuber and field inspections for Eurogrow.

“Then Eurogrow offered me a full-time role as a technical field representative, and I have worked my way up from there,” she says.

“I have been with them for seven years. I look after our new variety programme, including trials around the country. I also look after the early generation seed programme.

“My favourite part is the new varieties, and I love working with farmers and growers. There are around 100 commercial potato growers in New Zealand, so it is a very tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone. Potato growers are forward-thinking, great to work with, and keen to see people do well.”

Her employer strongly supports further education. Amber has gained a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science, and in 2023 attended the Potato Business School in Holland.

“That’s a crash course in potatoes. Every second year I also go overseas to look at new varieties, and my employer always adds some training into the trip.

“One year I went to an international agronomist training day, another year to the International Potato Congress. Last year, I went to Germany to shadow a group of agronomists. It is a very cool job.”

Amber is currently the chair of the Potatoes New Zealand Youth Council; a group of people under the age of 35 from the potato industry.

“The role of the Council is to implement initiatives aimed at encouraging young people into the potato industry and supporting those already in it. I’m loving being involved.”

Amber said she thoroughly enjoyed the Young Grower competition and found it a valuable learning experience.

“Even while studying beforehand, I learned so much, and then learned even more from the modules on the day. It was a great group of contestants and a very close-run competition. I think any one of us could have won.

“Young Grower is a great showcase for the horticulture sector and the career opportunities it offers. Many people think the only options are picking, tractor driving or agronomy, but there is a wide range of roles available.

“The contestants were all working in different roles across the industry. It really highlighted the exciting opportunities out there.

“My advice to young people considering a career in horticulture is that there is no single right way to begin. It does not matter where you start; the most important thing is to start, then take the opportunities that come your way.”

Runner-up for the Canterbury title was Jacob Preston, Farm Manager at Eyrebrook Fresh Limited in Christchurch. Third place went to Charlie Crozier, who grew up on his family’s vegetable farm in Leeston and is in his first year at Lincoln University, studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce (Agriculture).

The Young Grower competition celebrates the success of young people in the industry and encourages others to consider a career in horticulture.

Regional organisers host and run the regional competitions independently, with Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) hosting the final in a different part of the country each year.

Entry is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers from across the regions, up to the age of 30.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott said the competitions are a highlight of the year for growers and help raise awareness of the high level of skill among young people in the industry and the many career opportunities it offers.

“The regional organisers contribute a huge amount of time, expertise, energy and passion to make the Young Grower regional competitions happen. We could not do it without them.

“They do it to recognise and celebrate the high calibre of young people working in the industry, and to show others the many pathways horticulture offers into interesting and rewarding careers.”