Eight young fruit growers will face off in the Young Grower of the Year competition at Otago Polytechnic’s Cromwell campus tomorrow.

The event involves seven practical activities throughout the day from 10am - 4pm, followed by a gala dinner in the evening.

Competition is set to be fierce as many Central orchards are represented by their youngest and perhaps most energetic employees.

The winner will go through to the national final of the NZ Young Grower which will be held in Nelson on September 21 and 22. 

Contestants prepared to dig in tomorrow are: Christie Kirk (24) orchard foreman, Hortinvest; Jesse Donald (29) apprentice, Central Organics; Ryan Forsyth (27) orchard hand, Central Cherries Ltd; Greg Durand (28) manager, Cherri Global; Cameron Smith (28) supervisor, Central Organics; Jacob Coombridge (22) orchard supervisor, J.R. Webb & Sons; Maaka Roberts (24) apprentice, Hortinvest; and Emma Lennon (25) packhouse manager, Gourmet Summerfruit.

The activities are waterforce irrigation, fruitfed calibration and spraying, Norwood tractor and machinery, horticulture pest and disease, St John first aid, Farmlands nutrition, and FMG risk unit.

Jordan Carroll, the 2021 winner and MC of the 2022 gala event, said the competition was an awesome experience for people just beginning their horticultural careers.

“Winning the regional competition last year meant I was lucky enough to be put through a raft of professional development, including being able to compete at the national event. 

“I applaud the contestants for stepping up and testing themselves and wish them all the best of luck. Long live horticulture.”

Attendees at the evening function will hear from Terry Meikle, Apples and Pears NZ chief executive; Kate Hellstrom, Summerfruit NZ chief executive; and Bernadine Guilleux, HortNZ vice president and director. 

Television journalist, host of Survivor NZ and author Matt Chisholm will be the guest speaker. 

The Central App will bring you news of the winners and some photos of the action in a few days.

Young Grower of the Year is an annual competition run by Horticulture New Zealand to find the best young fruit or vegetable grower in the country. Finalists are made up of the winners of the four regional Young Fruit Grower competitions and the winner of the NZ Young Vegetable Grower.