Six young growers from Nelson Tasman will go head-to-head for the Nelson Young Grower title this Thursday. The Nelson Young Grower is an annual competition for under-30s ready to prove themselves against the region’s best. Regional winners from across the country then battle it out for the national Young Grower of the Year title — with the champion earning a spot in the prestigious Young Horticulturist of the Year competition.
The competitors face a gruelling day of eight challenging modules, which change each year. Past events have tested skills in areas like risk analysis, irrigation, business strategy, spray shed management, nutrition and fertigation, pest control, innovation, and leadership.
First-time entrant Finn Kohey, a Hop Supervisor at Battery Hill Hops and Blue Rock Hops in Tasman, is excited that the competition has finally opened up to the hop industry — a change that motivated him to enter.
“Since it’s the first-year hops are included, I thought it would be good to test my skills and learn more about other attributes of horticulture,” Finn says. “Hops don’t require as much pest or disease control as other crops, so that part will be tricky — but it will be fun to test my knowledge against other industries.”
Second-time entrant Lian Price, a grower manager at JS Ewers in Nelson, is no stranger to the berry block — or the Young Grower competition. After enjoying the experience last year, he’s back for another go.
“It’s the last year I can be involved until I am over the age threshold,” says Finn, who was encouraged to enter again by his Fruitfed rep. “It’s a challenging day, especially since you’re not told how you’re placing as the competition goes on — and there’s a lot to get through.”
And the toughest part, according to Finn? “Definitely the speech at the dinner,” he says. Amelia Marsden, kiwifruit manager at Willisbrook Orchards in Brightwater, agrees.
“The speech will definitely be my biggest challenge — I’ve always struggled with confidence in public speaking,” she says. A returning competitor from 2022, Amelia sees the event as “an opportunity to test my skills and find out where my knowledge gaps are.”
Still, she’s excited for the practical side of the day. “I’m looking forward to seeing what challenges await us.”
The practical day competition will be held at Thomas Brothers Ltd Orchard in Riwaka, with the evening awards dinner taking place at the Rutherford Hotel in Nelson.
The six local contestants are: Finn Kohey – Battery Hill Hops & Blue Rock Hops, Lian Price – J S Ewers, Amelia Marsden – Willisbrook Orchards, Calab Aarsen – Connings, Cameron Bradford – Thomas Brothers, and Georgia Steel – J S Ewers.
