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Young Grower regional finals wrap up
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YOUNG GROWER
REGIONAL FINALS WRAP UP
Maninder Singh, Gisborne winner, in action
All the Young Grower of the Year regional finals for 2022 have now been held so the next milestone is the national final, which will be held in Nelson on 21 and 22 September.
Meryn Whitehead, a supervisor at Vailima Orchard, took out the 2022 Nelson Young Grower of the Year title while Maninder Singh, who works for LeaderBrand, won the Gisborne Young Grower competition. A few days later, Laura Schultz from Trevelyans was named the Bay of Plenty Young Grower for 2022. Horticulture New Zealand chief executive, Nadine Tunley, said the exceptional calibre of entrants seen year after year highlights the value of the Young Grower competitions. “As the emerging leaders of our industry, it is invaluable to have an environment where young growers are supported to realise their full potential,” said Nadine. “The Young Grower competitions provide personal and professional development opportunities, confidence building and the tools and networks for our young growers to forge a successful career path for themselves.
As the emerging leaders of our industry, it is invaluable to have an environment where young growers are supported to realise their full potential
“It is clear from the talent on display today that the industry has a bright future.”
Speaking from the Gisborne competition, NZ Apples & Pears chief executive, Terry Meikle echoed Nadine’s sentiments. “The diversity of thought and talent on display has been amazing. It points to an incredibly positive future for growers across New Zealand.”
In order to continue to produce effectively into the future, we need to ensure we have young people with the right commercial, technical and scientific skills
In the Bay of Plenty, NZ Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated chief executive, Colin Bond said the competitions show appreciation for the need for skilled careers in the horticulture industry. “As a horticulture industry, we can often focus on knee-jerk reactions required for the current season. But in order to continue to produce effectively into the future, we need to ensure we have young people with the right commercial, technical and scientific skills.”
The Young Grower competitions provide personal and professional development opportunities, confidence building and the tools and networks for our young growers to forge a successful career path for themselves
The Young Grower of the Year national final takes place in Nelson on 21 and 22 September.
Keep an eye on the younggrower.co.nz website for details.
Meryn Whitehead, Nelson winner, applying her expertise
