Dean Astill reflects as Young Horticulturist of the Year comp turns 20
Acclaimed fruit grower Dean Astill never imagined he would have achieved so much in the years since being named the first Young Horticulturist of the Year, 20 years ago.
Nina, who is Viticulturist for Felton Road in Bannockburn, has been busy preparing for the Young Horticulturist of the Year national final in Auckland, including work on the competition’s innovation project.
“Other than that, I’m really trying to focus on broadening my knowledge on other horticulture crops, and issues that will have an impact on horticulture and viticulture.”
Nina says technology has “amped” up in the sector in recent years.
“If you told me when I first started in viticulture that we’d be spraying with drones I would have found that pretty out there. With any new technology, everyone’s a little bit sceptical. I’m sure when the first machine harvesters came in, people probably were shocked.”
Nina is following in the footsteps of Annabel Bulk, also from Felton Road, who won the Young Horticulturist title in 2018.
Read More:
- Young Viticulturist of the Year 2025 finalists announced
- Nina Downer - Young Viticulturist of the Year
- Young Viticulturist
