Danni van der Heijden is only the second woman to be named as Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Grower for 2018.

The 24-year-old avocado services manager at Trevelyan's Pack & Coolhouse in Te Puke won the trophy, after competing against five other contestants in a day-long skills event at the Te Puke A&P Show on February 10 and presenting a speech before an audience of 400 at last night's gala dinner.

Last year Danni came a close runner-up to ErinAtkinson, who won the trophy and went on to win the national Young Grower title.

"Last year I came second, so I pretty much had to come back. I'm especially glad to have won the avocado challenge, that's my area, and I can't wait to get to the finals in August. There's not a lot of women that enter these events, so women winning two years in a row is great."

Danni took five individual challenge awards, and impressed the judges with her speech on science and technology as disruptors to horticulture.

Aaron Wright came in second place, while Hamish McKain was third.

Danni's prize includes an all-expenses paid trip to Gisborne in August, to compete for the title of national Young Grower of the Year 2018, as well as $1500 cash.

Danni credits her success to her training, and says that her competitors put up a great fight.

"I'm feeling pretty good," says Danni. "We all did our best, it was a really tough competition, and I'm glad to have won.”

Chair of the Bay of Plenty Young Fruitgrower Upskilling Committee Katy McGinity says the quality of the contestants was exceptional.

"It's great to see such a high calibre of competitors at the 2018 event. I would like to offer my congratulations to all of the contestants who illustrated not only their own skills, but also the roles and development opportunities that are available in the horticulture industry."

Award-winning comedian Ben Hurley, who owns a small kiwifruit orchard near Katikati, was MC for last night's sell-out BOP Young Grower of the Year awards dinner.

CEO of New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated Nikki Johnston says attracting young people into horticulture is vital to continue the industry's growth.

"Horticulture profits the BOP region by approx. $1.8 billion p.a. and this is growing as the industry expands. It is important to attract and retain employees by focusing on job opportunities though careers and education within the industry.

"Events such as the Bay of Plenty Young Fruitgrower competition illustrate this commitment to developing our young people and are an excellent chance to create awareness about the roles and development opportunities that are available.

"I congratulate all of the Young Fruitgrower competitors who have shown themselves to be upcoming stars of our booming industry."

Horticulture New Zealand CE Mike Chapman agrees on the importance of youth engagement and recognition.

"The Young Grower competitions show that there are capable, ambitious young people entering the primary industries, and demonstrate to the country that horticulture is not only an option for their future, but an exciting and potentially very rewarding one. Today's competitors are a great example of young people who are passionate about the industry's future and their role in it.

"Danni and the other contestants are exactly the kind of people the future of our industry will be based on; young and passionate. We want them thinking about careers in horticulture."