Best young plant producer in the country!
Anna England from Elliot’s Wholesale Nursery in Amberley has been named as the 2024 Young Plant Producer of the Year.
Lydia O’Dowd of Southern Woods nursery in Rolleston was named the 2023 Young Plant Producer last week at an awards dinner in Christchurch.
The Young Plant Producer event, formerly called Young Achiever, tests competitors on the skills needed to run a successful plant production.
The competition is organised by NZ Plant Producers (NZPPI), hosted by International Plant Propagators’ Society (IPPS) and supported by the Horticentre Charitable TRUST.
Five finalists undertook two days of challenges at Lincoln University, where they were tested on their skills in finance and dispatch, biosecurity, plant propagation and identification, tool maintenance, agrichemical use and irrigation.
The judges looked for individuals who could make a difference in the industry, going beyond great skills to also include leadership attitude and personality.
O’Dowd is head propagator at Southern Woods nursery and is passionate about sustainability and finding alternatives to agrichemicals such as natural insecticides. She has certificates in NZ Horticulture in Nursery Production Level 3 & 4 and plans to complete a Diploma in Primary Industry Business Management in the future.
Along with her trophy, O’Dowd wins a 12-month programme of mentorship support plus a $4,000 fund to advance her career in plant production.
She will also take part in the Young Horticulturist of the Year award in November where she will compete against finalists from the entire horticulture sector, vying for a prize pool worth more than $20,000.
“I look forward to gaining more knowledge and meeting others who are driven and passionate about hort,” O’Dowd says.
Thus far in 2025, the Hawke's Bay rescue helicopter crew have completed over 220 missions, resulting in numerous positive patient outcomes.
The New Zealand Food Network's (NZFN) fifth birthday celebrations have been boosted by a whopping five tonne meat donation from meat processor ANZCO.
Pukekohe vegetable growers farewelled 101-year-old Alan Wilcox in late July, celebrating his many achievements and reflecting the widespread respect in which he was held.
A new nationwide survey shows New Zealanders expect farmers and food producers to play a leading role in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, but also gave them higher marks than most industries for their current efforts.
North Otago farmer Jane Smith is standing for the Ravensdown South Island director seat.
The Government and horticulture sector have unveiled a new roadmap with an aim to double horticulture farmgate returns by 2035.