increase font size
Matt competing at Kaiaponi Farms yesterday.
Matt Gomm has been named as the first ever Gisborne Young Fruit Grower of the Year.
Gomm, an orchard leader at the Burnside Trust, competed against some of Gisborne’s best young horticulturalists at Kaiaponi Farms yesterday before being presented with his title at a gala awards dinner last night.
Krista Manuel from Kaiaponi Farms came in second, while third place went to Emily Samuel of Thompsons Horticulture.
The competition saw contestants face a series of challenges designed to test their knowledge and skills around topics vital to the management of a successful orchard, including fencing, biosecurity, and tractor safety. They also delivered a speech to a crowd of 110 people at the White House, including Gisborne Mayor Meng Foon, on the importance of innovation and technology in fruit growing.
Matt, 23, got his start in horticulture five years ago, when he began as an orchard hand with Bostock NZ.
"I’m still a bit shocked I won, to be honest," says Matt. "The variety of challenges was really interesting, and we all got stuck in and gave it our best.
"The whole competition was great, and I can’t wait to give nationals a go."
Matt’s prize includes a professional development tour to Hawke's Bay to learn about horticulture, a trip to the Horticulture Conference in Christchurch later this month, a cash prize of $1,500, and an all-expenses-paid trip to compete for the national 2018 Young Grower of the Year title in Napier this August.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) and the Government will provide support to growers in the Nelson-Tasman region as they recover from a second round of severe flooding in two weeks.
HortNZ's CEO, Kate Scott says they are starting to see the substantial cumulative effects on their members of the two disastrous flood events in the Nelson Tasman region.
Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) says that commercial fruit and vegetable growers are getting ahead of freshwater farm plan regulations through its Growing Change project.
Nominations are open for three positions on the Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) board.
More Māori land is being used for growing commercial fruit and vegetables, according to a new report commissioned by Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ).
August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.
OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.
A Taupo company says it's the first to bring CO₂-powered water heating technology to New Zealand dairy sheds, helping farmers cut energy costs by up to 85%.
Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
Federated Farmers is renewing its call for Greenpeace to be stripped of its charitable status immediately, following the activist group's latest publicity stunt.
Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.
OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…
OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…
