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Jordan James (pictured) from Mr Apple has beaten off tough competition to be crowned Hawke's Bay's Young Fruitgrower for 2016.
Jordan James, 25, from Mr Apple has beaten off tough competition from seven other entrants to be crowned Hawke's Bay's Young Fruitgrower for 2016 at Saturday night's gala dinner.
The competition at A&P Showgrounds last Friday and Saturday saw competitors battle it out in a series of practical and theoretical challenges designed to test the skills needed to run a successful export-focused orchard.
Jordan, a senior supervisor from Mr Apple, lives in Haumoana. As well as taking out the title of the region's Young Fruitgrower, Jordan received top marks for the market access challenge.
Jordan's prize includes two $1000 education scholarships, a study trip to Nelson including flights and accommodation, a wheelbarrow of sponsors' goods valued at $1000 and attendance at the 2017 Horticulture New Zealand conference. He also receives an all-expenses paid trip to compete for the national 2016 Young Grower of the Year title on 20 and 21 July.
"It was a tough battle against some of the region's most capable young growers," says James. "I'm looking forward to competing at the national final in just a few weeks' time."
Second place went to Baldwalder Singh (26), from T&G. Anthony Taueki (26), also from Mr Apple was awarded third place.
"The Hawke's Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year competition showcases and celebrates our industry's top young talent each year. We're proud to be supporting the development of our industry's future leaders and see them putting their knowledge and skills to the test," says Lesley Wilson, president of Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association which sponsors the event.
"The competition is very well supported locally as it's a critical strategy to attracting new people into our thriving industry." This year's supporters included the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Charitable Trust, the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Charitable Trust and Pipfruit New Zealand.
"The future growth of our industry is dependent on our ability to attract young growers like Jordan who are highly skilled and enthusiastic. We wish him all the best as he prepares to compete in the national competition later this month."
The Young Grower of the Year is an annual competition run by Horticulture New Zealand to select the finest young fruit or vegetable grower in the country. The winners from five regional events go forward to contest the national final. The competition is part of Horticulture New Zealand's strategy to support the growth and development of New Zealand's future grower leaders.
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