Growing for gold at Young Grower of the Year national final

Emily Samuel (centre) winner of the Gisborne 2023 Young Grower of the Year competition with runner-up Bree Martinac (left) and Jessica Cranswick, acting CEO of NZ Apples & Pears Inc. Pictures by Strike Photography

Apple and kiwifruit manager Emily Samuel will represent Gisborne in the national final of the Young Grower of the Year competition in October.

She works for Thompson’s Horticulture and won the Gisborne Young Grower of the Year competition.

The national competition, run by Horticulture New Zealand, will be held at Pukekohe on October 4-5.

“Hard work does pay off,” Emily told The Orchardist magazine.

“I’m a little bit competitive and this event is a chance to build confidence as well as networks.

“It’s also fun and gets you to try something new.”

The Gisborne competition organiser Natalya Egan said it had been wonderful to have the regional final in Gisborne, “particularly given the season we’ve just had”.

“The competition is an opportunity to celebrate our young people, and their skills and commitment.”

It was held in July at Kaiaponi Farms,  followed by a gala dinner at The Vines.

Contestants were tested on a range of theoretical and practical modules designed to test their horticultural skills and knowledge.

They each had to deliver a speech at the dinner, after which the winner was announced.

Horticulture employers and their young employees in the district have been encouraged to ensure they put in their entries for next year. It is open to commercial fruit and vegetable growers.

■ As part of their prize, Bree and Emily attended the Horticulture Conference Week in Christchurch last week where they had the chance to extend their industry knowledge and network with other growers, contestants and industry members.