Young orchardists have less than a week to go to enter the Bay of Plenty Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition.


Young orchardists participating in the 2010 BOP Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition.

Entries close on February 18 for the competition held at Baypark Stadium on March 2 with contestants competing in a range of theoretical and practical activities.
The competition has an emphasis on practical production skills as well as business skills associated with growing and industry knowledge.

Young Grower of the Year competition manager Michelle de Jong says the event provides an excellent opportunity for orchardists to test their skills against other young growers.
She says often the biggest challenge for the contestants is speaking in front of people for the speech component of the competition.

The winner of the Bay of Plenty Young Fruitgrower competition receives a cash prize of $1500 and has the opportunity to compete for New Zealand Fruitgrower and Young Grower of the Year at the Horticulture New Zealand Conference July 25-27 in Christchurch.

Entrants must be nominated by their employer, be 30 years of age or under as of December 31 and have three years practical experience.
For more information or an application form visit www.younggroweroftheyear.co.nz or email [email protected]