Melissa van den Heuvel named as Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the year

An avocado expert has been named Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the year.

Melissa van den Heuvel, an Industry Systems Associate at NZ Avocado, received the award in Tauranga last night.

The Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower of the Year competition is an annual event that recognises some of the horticulture industry's finest young future Bay of Plenty leaders.

The competition took place last Saturday at the Te Puke Showgrounds, where eight competitors tested their skills and ability to run a successful orchard in a series of challenges.

These were followed by a speech competition discussing at the gala dinner on Wednesday night.

Van den Heuvel excelled in individual challenges, including the Horticultural Biosecurity challenge and Avocado Tree Planting challenge.

Growers Emily Crum came in second place, while Megan Fox was third.

Van den Heuvel prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to Wellington to compete for the title of national Young Grower of the Year 2020 in August, as well as $1500 cash.

Chairman of the Bay of Plenty young growers upskilling Andrew Dawson said the passion shown by the contestants was what made the annual event so special.

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc. chief executive Nikki Johnson said that these competitions were an important highlight for the horticulture industry.

"The potential that Melissa and the other contestants have shown over the competition make me confident that the future of the horticulture industry is in good hands."