increase font size
Jacob Coombridge, winner of Central Otago Young Grower, being presented with the trophy by Bernadine Guilleux.
Jacob Coombridge, a 22-year-old orchard supervisor at Webb’s Fruit, has won the 2022 Central Otago Young Grower competition.
The competition, which took place on Friday, tested eight contestants on their fruit and vegetable growing knowledge as well as the skills needed to be a successful grower.
Contestants completed modules in irrigation, pests and disease identification, safe tractor operating, first aid, soil and fertilisers and risk management.
“It’s so awesome to have so many people from the industry along to support us,” says Coombridge.
“Like all farming, working on an orchard can be isolating at times, but it’s awesome that competitions like this are able to bring everyone together. We’ve got a great grower community, and everyone has been really supportive of all of us as contestants,” he says.
He says his employers, Simon and Trudi Webb, have been supportive of him entering the competition.
“What inspires me to pursue a career in horticulture is people like Simon and Trudi who set such a great example though their service to the industry.”
Coombridge says he looks forward to representing the region at the Young Grower of the Year national competition in Nelson in September.
HortNZ vice-president and director Bernadine Guilleux says the competition is essential for supporting the next generation of talent in the industry.
"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 says.
"It's great to see so much support from the industry for these eight Young Growers. We've got people from all over Central Otago here tonight, and everyone's here to support these contestants.”
Guilleux says the competition showcases some of the industry’s top talent.
“It is a chance for us all to celebrate their success and support the industry's rising talent. Thank you to Horticentre and Summerfruit New Zealand, as well as all of our other event sponsors, for their support."
The wine industry needs to stop "clinging to the debris of 'fine wine'" and instead speak in a language future customers can relate to, Nigel Greening told attendees at Pinot Noir New Zealand 2025.
In the late 1970s, Ann Pinckney defied the prevailing view that Central Otago's climate was too extreme for viticulture, establishing its first commercial vines since Jean Désiré Féraud’s first efforts more than a century later.
Valli celebrated a quarter century of winemaking this year, with the release of its 25th Anniversary Pinot Noir, made in 2022. Jen Parr, who’s been Winemaker at Valli since 2015, reflects on a year of challenges, rewards and rousing community spirit.
OPINION: As the fourth generation of my family working in horticulture, I’m proud to be continuing the legacy and honoured to do so carrying the current title of the Young Grower of the Year 2024.
With a late frost last year, a hailstorm in February, and frost fighting in March, some subregions of Central Otago have been kept on their toes this season.
Farmers in the Australian state of New South Wales will soon be able to use virtual fencing and herding technology to boost farm productivity.
Hawke's Bay teenage entrepreneur Hugo Moffett is helping the rural community access cheaper school uniforms, all without leaving their homes.
As part of preparing for a potential IPO in relation to the divestment process for its global Consumer business and integrated businesses Fonterra Oceania and Sri Lanka, Fonterra has named Anne Templeman-Jones as chair-elect of the Audit and Risk Committee for the Mainland Group board.
There's been a positive response to the Government's latest move to make freshwater farm plans more practical and affordable.
Massey University has begun trialling the use of superior beef genetics in its two dairy farms as part of Beef + Lamb New Zealand's dairy beef progeny test.
The annual Featherston Booktown Karukatea Festival – a fusion of books and storytelling - celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.
OPINION: The appendage swinging contest between the US and China continues, with China hitting back with a new rate of…
OPINION: The irony of President Trump’s tariff obsession is that the worst damage may be done to his own people.
