YHOY 2010 Competition Winners

 

Stuart Dudley of Blenheim is the 2010 Young Horticulturist of the Year.
Twenty eight year old Stuart, a viticulturist at Delegat's Wines
Estate represented NZ Wine Growers at the Auckland final.

 

 

Stuart competed against seven other finalists from around the country who
represented various areas of the horticulture industry and had reached the
finals by winning their respective sector competitions. The Young
Horticulturist of the Year was a two-day event, with a focus on practical
horticulture skills. The finalists also presented to a judging panel
pre-prepared marketing projects, a section of the competition which is
supported by the Agriculture and Marketing Research Trust (AGMARDT). 


Managed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust,
the competition, with a prize pool of more than $43,000, is sponsored by the
NZ Horticulture Industry Training Organisation, Fruitfed Supplies, AGMARDT,
FMG and Turners and Growers.  Manurewa's Botanic Gardens were the venue for
the practical section of the competition and the award function was held at
the Rendezvous Hotel, Auckland, on Thursday evening (November 4th).    


Stuart says the competition took him out of his comfort zone.  "Being from
the viticulture area I found some activities like planting a vegetable
garden quite challenging.  But it is a case of preparing yourself mentally.
I always find with things like this the judges are looking to see what you
do know, rather than what you don't. You have to aware of the challenges and
be ready to conqueror them.


"But overall it was an amazing couple of days.  Every one of the finalists
deserved to win."


Stuart says he intends to use his travel prize to visit vine yards in Chile
and Argentina.


Along with Stuart, sector finalists represented the NZ Arboricultural
Association, Fruit Sector of Horticulture NZ, FLONZI, Landscaping NZ,
Nursery and Garden Industry Association, NZ Recreation Ass'n-Amenity
Horticulture and the Vegetable Sector of Horticulture NZ.


Event organiser Elenka Nikoloff says the competition recognises the
country's most talented horticulturists aged under 30 years.


"They are the future of New Zealand's horticulture industry; we are keen to
applaud them and offer them assistance on their path to their leadership
roles. 


"This year we saw a very close competition; all the finalists were
confident, practical  all-rounders.  Horticulture is a great lifestyle
career, but it is not just about planting and harvesting.  Participants,
especially those who are looking at supervisory roles, must also be aware of
industry trends and issues, have excellent managerial skills and show a
flair for the marketing side of their industry. 


"Every year our aim is to make the competition challenging for the
competitors and we are delighted the Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. David
Carter, has given it his backing, acknowledging it as an important
initiative in the horticulture industry."


Nursery & Garden Industry Association finalist Dave Harris of Nelson took
second prize and Gareth Holder of Taradale, who represented the Vege Sector
of Horticulture NZ, was third.



NZ Winegrowers finalist and Young Horticulturist of the Year Stuart Dudley,
of Blenheim, Ph 021 357 111, Ph 03 572 6327, stuart.dudley@delegats.co.nz 
In his role as a grower-division viticulturist at Delegat's Wines Estate,
Blenheim, the country's top young viticulturist Stuart Dudley is responsible
for grower/company liaison with about 80 growers. 


Twenty-eight-year-old Stuart has been at Delegats for four years, starting
as a technical supervisor at the Oyster Bay vineyard. But the world of wine
was not a long-term ambition.  With a degree from Otago University in
Genetics and Bio Chemistry, Stuart had planned a research career.  After
graduation, however, he took a year off to travel and while in northern
Argentina became interested in the wine industry. 


Returning to New Zealand Stuart went to Lincoln University, initially to do
a wine-making course.  But the lure of working outdoors prevailed and he
turned his attention to a viticulture diploma.  


"Every one has a romantic view of wine-making," said Stuart. "But the vines
themselves were more appealing to me. It is a lifestyle thing.  Originally I
was a science-based person, but being trapped in a lab coat didn't suit my
personality." 


Stuart would like to work overseas, but long-term he sees a good future for
himself in New Zealand's wine-making industry. "And I love Marlborough".


The region also provides Stuart with a playground for his favourite spare
time activities - hunting, fishing and diving.


2nd place - Nursery and Garden Industry Association finalist Dave Harris, of
Wakefield, Nelson,  Ph 03 544 1815, dave@thirkettlenurseries.co.nz
Dave, (27), is the Production Manager at Thirkettle Nurseries in Nelson. The
12-hectare nursery specialises in a wide spectrum of container plants, from
fruit trees to camellias. 

3rd  place - Vege sector of Horticulture NZ finalist Gareth Holder, of
Taradale, Ph 06 844 4511,  021 415 060, gareth.holder@abron.co.nz
Gareth Holder, (30), is a Technical Field Consultant for Abron Ltd.
Operating in the area of biological agriculture, Gareth's main focus is on
soil health and fertility and plant nutrients. He works with Hawkes Bay
fruit and vegetable growers, as well as those in the agricultural sector, 


NZ Recreation Assn/Amenity Horticulture sector finalist Leigh Harrison, of
Hamilton, Ph 027 435 8357, Ph 07 98 111 97,  ykato_harrison@yahoo.com
Twenty-six year old Leigh Harrison returned from her OE in 2008 to join the
grounds team at Waikato University as a ground keeper and gardener.


Arboriculture finalist Marc Higgie, of Whanganui, Ph 06 342 7857, 0274 294
746, marchiggie@yahoo.co.uk  Arborist Marc Higgie, (29), is managing his
parent's Whanganui beef and sheep farm, a property that includes 600 acres
of pinus radiata, arboretums and a six-acre public garden.  


Vege sector of Horticulture NZ finalist Gareth Holder, of Taradale, Ph 06
844 4511,    021 415 060, gareth.holder@abron.co.nz  Gareth Holder, (30), is
a Technical Field Consultant for Abron Ltd.  Operating in the area of
biological agriculture, Gareth's main focus is on soil health and fertility
and plant nutrients. He works with Hawkes Bay fruit and vegetable growers,
as well as those in the agricultural sector, 

FLONZI finalist Jessica Mills, of Auroa, Hawera, Ph 06 278 6333,
flowers4you@xtra.co.nz       Twenty-three-old Jessica is a partner in the
business Lovells Flowers 4 You, a florist situated on Hawera's main street.
Jessica bought into Lovells two years ago and as well her business
responsibilities, she works alongside some of her local growers.

Fruit sector of Horticulture NZ finalist Jonathan Newby, of Havelock North,
Ph 021 178 1407, jonathan@newby.co.nz Twenty-seven-year-old Jonathan Newby
is employed at the family-run orchard, GD & MJ Hirst Partnership, on the
Heretaunga Plains. The company grows 10 varieties of apples and also
blueberries on 70 hectares. 


Landscape finalist Alex Stewart, of St Heliers, Auckland, Ph 575 6649, Ph
021 960 640, alexstewart11@hotmail.com  Alex works with the team at Total
Landscape Creations, an Auckland company offering a wide range of
residential landscaping, paving and structural services.





Young Horticulturist of the Year finalists, from left, standing:
Leigh Harrison, (NZ Recreation Assn/Amenity Horticulture sector), Jessica
Mills (FLONZI), Dave Harris (Nursery & Garden Industry Assn), Alex Stewart
(Landscaping NZ), Stuart Dudley (NZ Winegrowers) and Gareth Holder (Vege
sector of Horticulture NZ)