Now in its ninth year, the competition is managed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust, in conjunction with partnering sponsors: The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT), Fruitfed Supplies, and Turners and Growers.

“We are supporting these young horticulturists so they can identify a clear career path for the future, which will ultimately benefit the horticulture industry in general,” explains Colin Lyford, General Manager, Domestic Market for Turners and Growers.

The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is designed to develop finalists’ skills and knowledge to enhance their career opportunities in the horticulture industry. Previous winners have included five viticulturists, a fruit export manager, a tomato production manager and a houseplant sales manager. Last year’s winner, winemaker Braden Crosby, said that the competition gives finalists a great opportunity to ‘think outside the square’.

In early September the finalists met for the first time at the one day planning seminar for the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project, and were introduced to the partnering and supporting sponsors.

The AGMARDT Market Innovation project is a written activity within the competition that the finalists complete in their own time in the lead up to the Grand Final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year. Here, the judges are seeking new ideas in the horticultural field that demonstrate lateral thinking, balanced by a realistic and logical project plan. The project combines research, methodology and innovation.

In addition to their sector support, the finalists are each assigned an ANZ Business Banking Manager as their mentor.  “The mentors are meeting regularly with them during the lead up to the competition and guiding the finalists with the business skills necessary to complete the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project,” says Programme Manager, Elenka Nikoloff.

The Grand Final activities include a presentation to a judging panel to support their written project, an interview with the main judges, and a series of challenging, practical activities. The finalists will each present a 3 minute speech at the Awards evening in Auckland.

“I can see there’s going to be alot of sleepless nights, and it’s going to be challenging, but I’m looking forward to it,” says Wine-maker and finalist Matt Fox.

 The winner of the ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ title receives prizes including a travel package to the value of $7,500. Second prize includes a Massey University study package to the value of $5,500, plus a $2,000 Primary ITO personal development scholarship.

Further awards go to the finalist who earns the highest score for the practical activities; a Turners & Growers travel scholarship valued at $3,500.Fruitfed Supplies’ $2,500 scholarship is awarded to the finalist who demonstrates leadership potential during the competition. The finalist with the highest score for a range of activities with a focus on crop management practices and sustainability will receive the $2,500 Bayer scholarship. And the best overall AGMARDT Market Innovation Project earns the finalist a $5,000 cash prize.

The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition takes place in Auckland on November 13 and 14, 2013. The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on the evening of November 14.

The 2013 finalists are: Blair Chicken (Young Landscaper of the Year), Ben James (Young Grower of the Year), Laurence Speedy (Young Amenity Horticulture Winner), Matt Fox (Young Viticulturist of the Year), Jessica Mills (Young Florist of the Year), Kelly Jean Kerr (HortFert Young Achiever).

The 2013 Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is made possible through the generous support of:  AGMARDT, Fruitfed Supplies, Turners and Growers Bayer, Massey University, Primary  ITO, NZ Gardener, On Gas, NZ Winegrowers

Photograph by Elle Anderson

Left to right: Ben Smith ( Status Produce- Turners & Growers), Max Spence National Manager Fruitfed Supplies, Mark Orr- Primary ITO, Harry Boerema- OnGas (standing behind Mark Orr) , Malcolm Nitschke- General Manager AGMARDT,  Chris Milne- Bayer Crop Science ( back row), Blair Chicken, Kelly Jean Kerr, Benjimen James- back row, Matt Fox ( green jumper), Laurence Speedy ( back row), Jessica Mills, Libby Duff Primary ITO (kneeling)