Nelson man wins Young Fruit Grower

Nelson man wins Young Fruit Grower

Kevin Withington from the Waimea Plains was named Nelson’s Young Fruit Grower on Friday evening at Hoddy’s Orchard in Nelson.

Kevin has been involved in the apple industry for the last nine years and currently works as a block manager for Hoddy’s Orchard pipfruit operation.

Kevin wins a $1500 cash prize and a unique trophy donated by the Energie Fruit Charitable Trust and crafted by Höglund Art Glass Studio, Nelson. Kevin will also have the opportunity to compete for the prestigious national Young Grower of the Year title in August at the Horticulture New Zealand’s annual conference.

“Winning the Nelson Young Fruit Grower title is a real honour. I’ve worked very hard and to have the opportunity to compete in the Young Grower competition means the world to me and my whole family. I’m really looking forward to competing for the national title next month” says Kevin.

Second place went to Mags Sonneland from Riwaka and Michael Tyler from the Waimea Plains finished in third.

The competition involved many elements, all testing essential skills a successful grower needs to run a business, including; operating a tractor, assembling an irrigation system and identifying plants and diseases.

Andrew Kininmonth, the competition co-ordinator says that the regional grower competition gives young horticulturists an opportunity to showcase their skills outside of the work environment. “It gives recognition to the wide range of skills growers need to learn to be the best in their filed. These competitions help celebrate excellence in an informal way. Kevin is a prime example of the high standard of young fruit growers we have in New Zealand today,” he says.

The event was held at Hoddy’s Orchard in Hope and was the first time the Nelson region had competed for the title.

The Young Grower Awards are an annual competition run by Horticulture New Zealand to select the finest young growers in the country. Zespri International is this year’s Platinum Sponsor for the 2010 Young Grower of the Year and wish all the contestants the very best.

ENDS

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