The daughter of Te Puke avocado growers Greg and Andrina McCulloch, Caitlin McCulloch, is the inaugural recipient of the AVOCO Tertiary Scholarship worth $5,000.

Caitlin has been studying for a Bachelor of Science with a major in horticulture at Lincoln University. The 20-year-old will complete her third and final year of advanced study at Guelph University in Ontario, Canada where she's looking forward to extending her knowledge.

'Whereas Lincoln University has given me a strong science base, it unfortunately doesn't give students the chance to major in horticulture,” says Caitlin.

'Fortunately, I can do that at Guelph which is a partner university of Lincoln and one that has a solid reputation for sustainability and the use of modern technology.”

Her first semester courses start on January 7 when she will explore a full range of horticultural subjects, including propagation, apiculture, medicinal plant management and organic horticulture.

'I'm really interested in pursuing integrated pest management and bio-control more,” she says.

'There's a general push for a much greater understanding about how we can manage pests in our orchards in a more sustainable way. It seems more people want to take a holistic view in the growing of crops.”

Growing up on an avocado orchard, Caitlin was always hands-on with her family, tagging along with her parents to help when needed. Being surrounded by gardens and various fruit trees sparked an interest in horticulture but it was only later at Lincoln that Caitlin says she seriously considered the idea of pursuing it as a career option.

'I attended two different high schools and horticulture was offered but it was not taken seriously by students. Most of those who took it were generally there to fool around,” says Caitlin.

'That put me off but I'm a curious person and the more I looked into plant sciences at Lincoln, the more I realised how many opportunities there are to apply my interest in science to the horticulture industry.

'Horticulture suits me well because I enjoy the practical side of research and being able to apply the science in a very hands-on way to make a difference is something that really appeals.”

She hopes the scholarship will open doors for her after she graduates and says a career in the avocado industry is one that would tick lots of boxes.

'Definitely avocadoes are in my mind for a future career but I'd like to immerse myself in any one industry and get stuck in with all the practical stuff.

'I like how the avocado industry is still growing and there are still opportunities to influence how it develops.”

Caitlin is incredibly grateful to AVOCO for offering the scholarship which will help complete her studies.

'It's exciting to be the inaugural recipient and I can't wait to get stuck in to my studies,” says Caitlin.

With more than 800 growers, AVOCO is New Zealand's largest avocado export company. It launched the annual Tertiary Scholarship earlier this year to encourage research into subjects that could benefit New Zealand's avocado industry.

Marketing and communications manager Steve Trickett says the ability to reliably and consistently deliver premium quality fruit to consumers is critical to AVOCO's continued success in the international market place.

'Research and development is a key focus area for AVOCO so we are keen to see more tertiary students like Caitlin exploring scientific topics that could help us find innovative, long-term solutions to challenges that the industry faces.

'We wish her every success in her final year of study and look forward to supporting her interest in avocados when she returns to New Zealand.”