Marlburian grower earns Nelson honour

ELISE VOLLWEILER

A Marlburian came close to claiming the Nelson Young Grower title, finishing just behind the returning winner on Friday.

Samuel Lee, orchard manager at Cherry Bank Orchard in Blenheim, placed second at the Top of the South competition – between Riwaka orchard worker Amelia Marsden, the 2025 titlist, and Motueka orchards operations data analyst Olivia Richardson.

The competition celebrates the success of young people in the industry as well as encouraging others to consider a career in horticulture. Regional organisers host and run the regional competitions independently, with Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) hosting the final in a different part of the country each year.

Entry is open to both commercial fruit and vegetable growers from across the regions, up to the age of 30.

HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott said the competitions are a highlight of the year for growers and do much to raise awareness of the high level of skill of young people in the industry and the many career opportunities it offers.

“The regional organisers put in a huge amount of their time, expertise and energy to make the Young Grower regional competitions happen,” she said, adding: “They do it to recognise and celebrate the very high calibre of young people we have working in the industry and to demonstrate to others the many pathways horticulture offers into a wide range of interesting and rewarding careers.”