James Blair Named 2026 Young Grower National Champion
James Blair, an agronomist for AS Wilcox and the Pukekohe regional champion, has won the 2026 Young Grower national title.
In the lead up to the grand final the finalisits must complete the AGMARDT Market Innovation project. This written project, completed in their own time, will show that the competitors can develop an innovative product or service suitable for market.
"Finalists are encouraged to develop understanding of what is required to identify and analyse market innovation opportunities," says AGMARDT general manager Malcolm Nitschke.
This year's finalists' projects include a lateral attack on the wine industry's leafroller virus, traceability technology for kiwifruit, and gloves lined with titanium for winter warmth.
Paul Robinson is tackling the wine industry's problem of Leafroller Virus. 'Nip it in the Bud' Leafroller Virus indicator helps cuts out the time and cost of detecting the virus by grafting a bud of a red grape vine onto a white grape vine. Unlike the white, the red grape variety displays symptoms of the virus. As soon as leaf roller virus symptoms are detected the vine can be removed, limiting costly vine losses.
Horticulture NZ's Patrick Malley, has developed a project on traceability technology for kiwifruit. Through his project a consumer anywhere in the world will be able to scan kiwifruit packing cases to identify the orchard where the fruit grew.
Young Amenity winner Sarah Fenwick is taking on Southland's freezing conditions with her lightweight glove design. The durable, cost effective glove inner is made of titanium lined limestone neoprene to keep gardeners' fingers warm and nimble.
Other finalist projects include a nursery marketing campaign, a 'Guide Pro' for measuring sightlines and a reality television show aiming to increase flower sales in New Zealand.
The 10th annual 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' competition takes place in Auckland on November 12 – 13. The winner will receive a $7,500 travel and accommodation package, with second place getting a $5,500 Massey University study scholarship. The winners are announced during the grand final awards dinner on Thursday 13 November.
