Finalists set to compete in Central Otago Young Fruit Grower

Date: 22.05.2019

Tim Officer Tim Officer Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition

Merv Van Der Lee Merv Van Der Lee Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition

Lyssa Jones Lyssa Jones Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition

Ian Dwyer

Cameron Smith Cameron Smith Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition

Ellen Watt Ellen Watt Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition

Tim Officer

Merv Van Der Lee

Lyssa Jones

Ian Dwyer

Cameron Smith

Ellen Watt

The Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition kicks off in Cromwell this Friday, 24 May

Six of Central Otago’s young fruit growers will face off in the Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition in Cromwell.

The champion will progress to the Young Grower of the Year national final to be held in Tauranga in October.

There, they will be joined by regional winners of the Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Nelson competitions to battle it out for the National Young Grower of the Year 2019 title.

The Cromwell competition will judge the contestants on their knowledge and skills around topics vital to the management of a successful orchard, including irrigation, pest and disease identification, first aid, and soils.

The winner, who will be decided at the awards dinner on the evening of Friday, 24 May, will receive prizes that include free registration for the Summertime NZ and NZ Apples and Pears conferences and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete in the finals in October.

"Every year, I’m amazed at the quality of contestants," says Grant McKay, regional manager of Horticulture and organiser of the Central Otago Young Fruit Grower competition.

The competition will be held at the Horticulture Training Facility, Otago Polytechnic in Cromwell, and the awards dinner will follow at The Moorings, Cromwell.

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