Finalists compete for a prize pool valued at more than $40,000.00.
1st Place
In taking home the ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ title, Andrew Hutchinson receives $7,500 of ‘study’ travel and accommodation to a horticultural destination of his choice from T&G, $1,000 worth of ICL Specialty Fertiliser products and $100 NZ Horticultural magazine subscription for one year.
2nd Place
Auckland based (originally Christchurch) and representing Amenity Horticulture supported by the New Zealand Recreation Association, Jeanette Barker (25), takes home a $5,500 Massey University study scholarship, $750 worth of ICL Specialty Fertiliser products and $100 NZ Horticultural magazine subscription for one year.
3rd Place
Auckland based third place winner Paul Southan (29), representing Landscaping New Zealand, earns a $1000 cash prize, $500 worth of ICL Specialty Fertiliser products and $100 NZ Horticultural magazine subscription for one year.
The AGMARDT Market Innovation Project Winner
Jeanette Barker – from Auckland representing the Amenity Horticulture sector – wins the Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT) Market Innovation Project prize for her App that assists people with selecting the right plant for the right place.
This challenge is designed to stretch contestants’ abilities to come up future thinking that adds value to the industry, and the winner comes away with a $5,000 cash prize.
Second place runner up Andrew Hutchinson wins $2,500 and third placed Daniel Howard earns $1,500.
A consolation prize of $500 is awarded to each contestant who completed his or her project.
The T&G Best Practical Activities Award: Andrew Hutchinson (Pukekohe, originally from Tauranga), representing Horticulture New Zealand.
This award goes to the finalist who receives the best overall score for practical activities in the Grand Final and earns him a $3,500 travel scholarship.
The Fruitfed Supplies Leadership Award: Andrew Hutchinson
The finalist who demonstrates outstanding promise and leadership during the competition receives a $2,500 scholarship towards a Leadership or Outward Bound course.
The Bayer Best Practice Award: Cameron Price (Hastings, representing NZ Winegrowers)
The finalist who receives the highest score in a range of activities with a focus on crop management practices and sustainability during the Grand Final receives a $2,500 scholarship.
Primary ITO Career Development Award: Andrew Hutchinson
The winner receives a $3,000 scholarship, to assist with further study or to attend a conference, and is adopted as a Primary ITO ambassador to promote training and career pathways in horticulture.
The Countdown Best Speech Award: Andrew Hutchinson
The finalist who achieves the highest score for their speech receives $500 cash.
The Young Horticulturist of the Year competition is made possible through the generous support of: Young Horticulturist of the Year 2016 competition partners AGMARDT, T&G and Fruitfed Supplies.
Young Horticulturist of the Year Supporters are Bayer Crop Science, Massey University, Primary ITO, Countdown, NZ Gardener Magazine and Trillian Trust.
To check out the full list of supporters or for more information about how to enter for 2017, visit www.younghort.co.nz for more information.