Celebrating young growers

The annual Young Grower of the Year competition is underway, with two regional finals – in Pukekohe and Central Otago – now having taken place. 

These events – culminating in a national final, this year in Pukekohe on 4-5 October – are well supported by each local horticulture community. This year, we are inviting Government officials to attend and during the day, growers are hosting these officials at their operations. This initiative is all part of improving officials’ knowledge of the realities of growing, while at the same time, letting them see firsthand the enthusiasm that young – and older – growers have for the industry.

This year’s crop of young growers is carrying on the traditions of the competition. They are enthusiastic and full of ideas, and good-naturedly support each other while they’re competing. Few of the competitors like public speaking, however, most of the speeches are powerful and full of ideas about the future of the industry, and how to get there.

Four more regional finals are coming up, in Nelson (9 July), Bay of Plenty (12 July), Gisborne (20 July) and Hawke’s Bay (10-11 August). If you or someone you know are keen to compete, please go to the Young Grower website and apply to enter. 

Horticulture Conference Week

Another opportunity we will have this year to highlight our industry and improve understanding of what it is like to be a grower is Horticulture Conference Week. 

We are currently finalising the week, but I can assure you, we have planned a comprehensive programme, and engaged a wide range of speakers with diverse perspectives. We have also brought together the various conferences over a week to make best use of growers' time. 

In recognition of how busy most of the industry is at the moment, we have extended Early Bird registrations to this Friday 2 June. So, if you have not already, see what’s in your diary for the first few days of August and if it is not looking too full, seriously consider attending all or part of the inaugural Horticulture Conference Week.