Future is Peachy for Hawke’s Bay’s Best Young Fruit Growers

Hawke's Bay’s best young fruit growers will be going head-to-head next week to steal a chance at the national title of NZ Young Fruit Grower.

Eight competitors from the Hawke’s Bay region will compete in a day-long event involving several tasks, all testing essential skills a successful grower needs to run a business, including; driving a tractor, assembling an irrigation system, grading fruit, identifying plants and diseases and even budget assessments and GlobalGAP requirements.

Lesley Wilson, the event manager, says the competition gives young horticulturists an opportunity to showcase their skills outside of the work environment.

“It gives recognition to the wide range of skills growers need to learn to be the best in their field. These competitions help celebrate excellence in an informal way and makes for a really interesting and fun occasion.”

This year’s competition will be held on Thursday, June 3 at the AMP Show Grounds in Hastings, as part of the ICE Expo (the national trade expo for the horticulture industry). The event begins at 9am and all members of the public are welcome. The competition will continue at a Gala dinner on Saturday 5 June, where they will complete a general knowledge quiz and give a speech on the future of the industry. The winner will be announced later that evening.

The winner of HB Young Fruit Grower wins $1000 cash prize and a trip to Nelson to look at South Island growing and packing operations and has the opportunity to compete for the prestigious national Young Grower title in August.

ENDS

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