Young Hawke's Bay grower up for national award

3 June 2011

Young Hawke's Bay grower up for national award

An up-and-coming Hawke's Bay apple and kiwifruit grower is in line for New Zealand's most prestigious grower award after being named the region's Young Fruit Grower on Thursday night in Hastings.

Chris Treneman, 25 from Hastings has worked in the fruit industry for seven years, and is currently working for JM Bostock Ltd. As well as a $1000 cash prize and a trip to Nelson to look at South Island growing and packing operations, the win qualifies Chris to compete for the highly-coveted national Young Grower of the Year title in July.

"It's a real honour and achievement to win the Young Fruit Grower; I've worked hard to get where I am and I'm really looking forward to competing for the national Young Grower of the Year title in Rotorua later this year."

Second place went to Jamie Kershaw and Michael Copp finished in third. Both men are from Hastings.

The competition involved several elements, all testing essential skills a successful grower needs to run a business, including; machinery maintenance, chemical safety, equipment set-up and pest and disease identification.

Lesley Wilson, the event manager, says the competition gives young horticulturists an opportunity to showcase their skills outside of the work environment.

"It recognises the wide range of skills growers need to learn to be the best in their field. These competitions help celebrate excellence in an informal way and makes for a really interesting and fun occasion."

The event was held in Hastings on June 1 and 2 at the A & P Show Grounds as part of the ICE Expo (the national trade expo for the horticulture industry) and is the sixth Young Fruit Grower event since the first competition held in 2005.

ENDS

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