Hawke's Bay's finest compete for region's Young Fruit Grower crown

Hawke’s Bay’s best young fruit growers will compete for the title of Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower in Hastings next month.

Eight Hawke’s Bay competitors, five men and three women, will compete in a day-long event testing essential skills a successful grower needs to run a business, including; machinery maintenance, chemical safety, equipment set-up and post and disease identification.

Lesley Wilson, the event manager for the Hawke’s Bay competition says the Young Grower gives young horticulturists an opportunity to showcase their skills outside of their ordinary work environment.

“It recognises 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 Wednesday, June 1 at the A & P 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 to attend. The competition will continue at a Gala dinner on Thursday, June 2 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 Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower wins $1000 cash prize, 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 of the Year title in July.