Orchard ownership is the long-term goal for Alex Ashe – 2019’s Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year.

Alex, 24, who is a technical advisor with Farmlands Te Puna, was announced winner of the top award at a gala dinner at Mount Maunganui in February.

Runner-up was Hamish McKain, an avocado production manager at DMS Progrowers, while Emily Crum, an orchard manager at Prospa (EastPack) Te Puke, was third.

The winners were announced following their last challenge – delivering a speech before an audience of 420 at the awards dinner on February 13.

Earlier, the eight contestants took part in a day of practical and theory events at the Te Puke A&P Show on February 9.

Delighted to receive the top award, Alex says it was not all about winning. “It is about the experience, challenging myself and meeting new people.

“It was such an enjoyable event because everybody was there to support each other, and everyone wants to help the youth of the industry do their best.

“Anybody who is looking to compete next year, give it a go; it’s a great event,” says Alex, who one day hopes to own his own orchard.

Impressive speech

Alex has a Bachelor of agricultural science, majoring in horticulture from Massey University. Outside of his role with Farmlands, Alex enjoys motorbike riding and hunting.

His prize includes all expenses paid to compete for the title of national Young Grower of the Year 2019 in Tauranga in October. There, he’ll join the winners of the Nelson, Hawke’s Bay, Gisborne, and Central Otago regionals, and a Young Vegetable Grower, to compete for the national title, sponsored by the Horticentre Trust. He also received $1500 cash.

Alex also excelled in individual challenges, and especially impressed judges with his speech on future disruptors to the horticulture industry.

Bay of Plenty Young Fruit Growers Upskilling Committee chair Andrew Dawson says the 2019 event has again proven to have a high calibre of competitors.

“Congratulations to all of the contestants who displayed exceptional skills, as well as showing off the great variety of opportunities that are available in the horticulture industry.”

New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Incorporated CEO Nikki Johnson says it is essential that young people are attracted to join the kiwifruit industry to achieve the industry’s forecasted growth.

Growth industry

“The Young Fruit Grower competition provides an excellent example of the different commercial, technical and scientific opportunities that the industry offers. I’d like to take this opportunity to congratulate all of this year’s competitors who have displayed the talent our industry has.”

Horticulture New Zealand chief executive Mike Chapman agrees, saying these competitions are a highlight of the annual horticulture calendar.

“As a Bay of Plenty local, I know that talented young people like Alex exist in our industry. The BOP Young Grower competition shows the rest of the country what we’ve been saying all along – horticulture is a growth industry, and you can make an excellent career out of it if you put the effort in. “Alex and the other contestants are exactly the kind of people the future of our industry will be based on, and it’s great to see them getting the limelight they deserve.”