Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year Campbell Wood is going head-to-head against growers from around the country today for the national Young Grower of the Year award.

The 21 year old Pyes Pa vine manager is taking on three others from around the country – Kevin Withington, 29 from Nelson, Ben Smith, 29 from Pukekohe and Chris Treneman, 25 from Hawke's Bay.

Campbell Wood: Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year pictured here after winning the award earlier this year.

The competition is held during the day with the awards ceremony at the Rotorua Energy Events Centre tonight.

The growers are tested in a range of practical and business activities such as driving a tractor, fencing and planting and employment relations.

For the first time in the competition, there will be a Ballance Leadership Panel session where the young men will speak on their views of leadership and how it will contribute towards achieving the industry goal of $10 billion by 2020.

The growers will also give a three-minute speech to over 400 delegates at the Horticulture New Zealand annual conference dinner with the winner being announced later that evening.

This will be the third year for the Young Grower of the Year competition run by Horticulture New Zealand. The competition is supported by Platinum Sponsor ZESPRI International and others, who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry who have both excellent technical skills and leadership capabilities.

President of Horticulture New Zealand Andrew Fenton says the competition celebrates the excellence in young growers.

'These four growers have already demonstrated passion, direction and the potential to becoming significant contributors to our industry's future. I look forward to watching their careers progress.”

ZESPRI CEO Iain Jager says the company si pleased to be the main sponsor of the event.

'This competition is a wonderful way for young growers to take their horticultural careers to the next level.”