Canterbury vegetable grower takes national title

Canterbury vegetable grower takes national Young Grower title

Andrew Scott from Canterbury has been named Young Grower of the Year
at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference 2012.

Andrew, 29, was presented with his award last night after the day-long
Young Grower of the Year competition held at Ellerslie Events Centre,
Auckland, as part of this year’s Horticulture New Zealand Conference.

Four regional finalists underwent rigorous testing on a wide range of
essential horticulture business and practical skills, including
driving a tractor, resource management and public speaking to more
than 400 delegates.

Horticulture New Zealand President, Andrew Fenton said Andrew was a
very strong competitor.

“We could see that Andrew gave 100 per cent in every challenge,” said Mr Fenton.

“He showed agility, confidence and had a real business and technical
sense of the horticulture industry. I look forward to watching this
young grower progress in his horticulture career."

Andrew, who works as an operations manager for Ross Hewson in
Pendarves, thanked the Young Grower competition organisers and said it
was a great privilege to receive the award, especially given the
calibre of his fellow competitors.

“I really enjoyed the experience and getting to know the other three
contestants. They are really great guys and I wish them all the best
for the future. It was a great event and I want to thank Horticulture
New Zealand for all the support they have shown me and the other
contestants.”

“I want to thank my manager Ross and Rochelle Hewson who has shown me
tremendous support throughout the whole competition and of course my
partner Liz. This is a great honour and I look forward to taking part
in the Young Horticulturist competition later in the year,” he said.

Andrew also won the awards for Best Practical, Best Business Skills
and Best Innovation project.

Andrew earned his place at the competition after taking out the Young
Vegetable Grower title earlier this year. He wins $4,000 and a trip
to Australia to visit other vegetable crop growers.

Andrew beat three fruit growers to win the national title of Young
Grower of the Year.

Jos Bell, (27) from Nelson took the Young Fruit Grower of the Year
title and the Ballance Leadership award and Benjimen James from Hawkes
Bay won Best Speech.

The competition is run by Horticulture New Zealand, the competition is
supported by platinum sponsor NZ Horticentre Trust and others who
recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry,
who have both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.

ENDS

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