Florist Caitlin emplores horticultural audience to 'Adopt a School'

Working as a senior florist in Wellington until she moved to a role with United Flower Auctions in Christchurch, Caitlin Thorburn can be described as a colourful character.

New Zealand's premiere horticultural competition sees contestants aged under 35 compete across a range of practical and academic challenges for the title of 'Young Horticulturist of the Year'. A major challenge contributing to overall success is the speech, to be delivered to the audience of 245 industry members from all walks of horticulture. This daunting prospect did not deter Caitlin as she delivered an empassioned presentation on the merits of getting children involved in horticulture and flowers at a very early age, ideally through industry parties 'Adopting a School' in order to foster the future of the industry.

With many senior horticulturists ageing and potenitally retiring within the next decade there has been identified a major shortfall in skilled and knowlegeable young entrants to the horticulture sector. The speech topic for 2014's competition was on attracting new blood into the industry, as it is estimated 250 new graduates will be needed per year in horticulture to bridge the approaching human resource gap between a rapidly growing industry and an ever-increasing opportunity in terms of export potentials, and the current trained and qualified horticulture graduate numbers.

Caitlin went on to win the Best Speech segment of the competition. The overall winner and 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' was Patrick Mally, an Orchardist from Northland