New Zealand’s Premier Horticultural Competition Provides Many Benefits.

Total prize money of $38,000 is available for entrants to the Young Horticulturalist of the Year [YHOTY] competition.

To enter candidates must be under 30 years of age and have worked for 3 years hands on in the sector in which they are entering the competition, a tertiary education is not necessary. The six sectors are – HortNZ vegetable & fruit sector; Nursery & Garden Industry sector; Amenity Horticulture sector; Winegrowers young viticulturist sector; Young landscaper of the year; and most importantly for us The NZ Flower Growers & florists of NZ sector.

Winners in the sector competitions must be selected by the 26^th August, and they then have their AGMARDT innovation project seminar on the 30^th August. Eight weeks later on 27^th October AGMARDT projects are submitted and grand finals and awards dinner are on the 9^th & 10^th of November.

AGMARDT stands for “The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust” which is one of three YHOTY partners, the others are ‘Fruitfed Supplies Ltd’ and ‘Turners & Growers’. There are a further six YHOTY supporters.

Activities for the Grand Final Are: -

• The AGMARDT innovation project – a business & marketing plan for a new product.

• An interview with the three main judges.

• A 90 minute Excel based computer activity

• Test of horticultural skills in a range of practical activities at the Auckland Botanic Gardens .

• At the YHOTY dinner each finalist presents a three minute speech

Grand Final Prizes  -  1^st Prize

• $7,500 T&G  travel and accommodation package.

• $`1,000 ICL speciality fertilisers.

• $100 Horticultural magazine subscription for one year

2^nd Prize

• $5,500 Massey University study scholarship

• $750 ICL speciality fertilisers

• $100 horticultural magazine subscription for one year

3^rd Prize

• $1,000 cash

• $500 ICL Speciality fertilisers

• $100 horticultural magazine subscription for one year.

There are a further $21,000 plus, prizes available to contestants for achievement in a variety of skills – practical activity, leadership, speech Etc. Also Included are AGMARDT project prizes of $5,000 for 1^st, $2,500 for 2^nd, $1,500 for 3^rd as well as consolation prizes of $500 for each project completed. [They must be handed in on time].

Perhaps the biggest positive candidates can get from entering the competition, is the experience, extended horizons and making them sought after employees.

Pictured: Previous Flower Industry Finalist Caitlin Thorburn

If you know of a potential candidate for the sector competition, the closing date is the 31^st of May and entry forms can be obtained from the NZFGA executive officer Chris Smellie – 09 412  7673 or email - [email protected]z