A former Mount Aspiring College (MAC) student had her horticulture skills put to the test at the Young Grower of the Year regional finals earlier this month.

Christie Kirk (24) was among the cohort of young horticulture professionals from around Central Otago who spent a full day irrigating, identifying pests and diseases, operating tractors and proving their knowledge of fruit and vegetables and horticulture for judges.

The HortInvest orchard foreman earned third place in the competition, which is designed to celebrate New Zealand’s young horticulture professionals. 

Christie told the Wānaka App the highlight of the competition was getting to meet other young people in the area who work in her industry. 

“I also liked the challenge of putting my skills to the test, and finding out what I know well and what I need to work on,” she said.

Christie grew up with a family involved in the horticulture industry and she currently works for HortInvest, a local company which grows cherries and apricots, as an orchard foreman. 

Learn more about HortInvest here.

“I manage day-to-day tasks, make sure things are getting done and make sure staff are happy,” she said. “It’s pruning and tractor work and growing the crop.”

Although she was almost talked out of working in the industry, Christie said she is very happy to be in horticulture: “It’s been the best thing for me,” she said. 

The Young Grower of the Year competition is organised by HortNZ and vice-president and director Bernadine Guilleux said the competition is essential for supporting the next generation of talent.

“The Young Grower of the Year competition brings together the whole industry, but the most important people are our young people. They are our upcoming leaders and are essential to the future of horticulture,” she said.

Jacob Coombridge (22) who works as a supervisor at Webb’s Fruit Orchard took first place at the Central Otago Young Grower of the Year competition and Gregoire Durand (28), a manager at Cherri Global, placed second.

Jacbon will join other regional winners at the Young Grower of the Year national finals on September 21.

PHOTO: Central App