The 2013 Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition
Introducing the Finalists
Ben James
Winner of 2013“Young Grower of the Year”
In 2012 Ben entered the Hawkes Bay ‘Young Fruit Grower’ and won the competition. He
followed up this success repeating his winning streak by taking out the Horticulture New
Zealand’s Young Grower of the Year title and gaining entry to the Young Horticulturist of the
Year. He has the clear intention to continue his winning performance.
As foreman for Mr. Apple, Ben’s role is to quality control all aspects of fruit production.
During August pruning season this involves the management of 22 workers pruning the fruit
trees, and up to 120 workers during the thinning and harvest season. It’s his job to ensure
that, no matter what the skill level, they are all achieving the goals of the business.
While people management is a special interest for Ben, his favourite time is frost protection.
“At 1am the orchard is peaceful and quiet, it’s just me and the boss are out there; the alarm
wakes you and we go out and turn on the wind machines.”
Ben’s currently studying at Eastern Institute of Technology (EIT ) in Hawkes Bay for his
National Certificate in Horticulture. This is backed up by a raft of industry related certificates
that he’s earned over the past few years.
Born and raised on pip fruit and stonefruit orchards in Hastings, Ben’s been in fresh fruit
production most of his life.
He joined the military straight out of school then built houses for 5 years. He says he came
back to horticulture for job security, and because it’s part of his heritage, with both his father
and grandfather being orchardists.
Ben spends his rare spare time with his 8yo daughter; watching her netball or cricket on
Saturday mornings is a highlight, as well as time with family and friends.
As for Young Horticulturist of the Year; he sees the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project
as being the primary challenge in the competition. “I’ve done hands on work through my
career so I don’t have alot of experience with developing and writing business plans,”
explains Ben.
He says it’s going to be a big learning experience and he’s already checking out the viability
of some of his concepts for the AGMARDT Market Innovation project.
He entered this competition for career development and to place him in a position to help
youth in the industry to achieve. “Through mentoring I can give youth the opportunities they
need to succeed, however they need to grab it with both hands.”
Ben’s philosophy is ‘Do it once. Do it right’.
“You only get one shot at this (Young Horticulturist of the Year) so I’ve got to get it right”
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Blair Chicken
Winner of the 2013 City Parks Services Young Landscaper of the Year
competition.
Born and raised in West Auckland, 28 year old Blair Chicken embarked on sports turf
management before moving into machine earth moving and civil contracting. His first
introduction to the landscaping industry was 5 years ago when he started his career as a
digger operator. His natural talents in management saw him develop into his role as site
foreman for Natural Habitats, a leading landscape company in Auckland.
Blair organises the work for the team for each project that the company allocates to
him. “Our company designs and builds, so you’re often working with the designer and
staying in contact with the client. No two jobs are ever the same,” he explains.
His goal is to work hard and get the job done efficiently. “Planning is really important, and
making sure that everyone is happy on the job.”
This June, Blair entered and won the City Parks Services Young Landscaper of the Year
competition held in Queenstown. He was shortlisted through the practical activities and
interview process. Blair drew on his interest in green technology as the basis of his speech in
the competition. “Our company specialises in green technology - green roofs, green walls and I see it as the way the world is moving,” he explains.
Natural Habitats are supporting Blair through the competition process, with days off when
he needs them and extra courses if required.
He’s looking forward to the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition. Blair says it will
expand his knowledge, particularly with the AGMARDT Market Innovation project. “And I’m
sure I’ll benefit from the study I’ll need to do.”
Blair has Level 4 HITO Landscaping certificate, and has completed three years of a sports
turf management apprenticeship. Through his digger operating experience he has been
trained to be an assessor and runs the Natural Habitats machine training and competency
programme.
Surfing, snow boarding, fishing, golf and soccer help keep this contestant fit through the
seasons.
While Blair hasn’t looked at the prize package for the Young Horticulturist of the Year,
having travelled through most of Europe, and the Pacific, he does have South America on his
list.
Jessica Mills
Winner of 2013 Young Florist of the Year competition.
Taranaki florist Jessica brings the requisite skills and commitment to the Young
Horticulturist of the Year competition; she also brings a taste of the 2010 competition.
Enticed by the experience three years ago, Jessica decided that she wanted to enter this
year’s competition. Her Mentor Joy Knight reminded her that to qualify, she first had to win
the floristry sector. Jessica competed with twelve other contestants in the Ellerslie Flower
Show in March. “It was really intense, we were competing and demonstrating for 10 days.”
She won the award for best speech and went on to win ‘Young Florist of the Year’.
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Jessica came to floristry on the advice of a friend and completed the Level 3 Floristry at the
Bay of Plenty Poly tech. Eight years on, she is co owner of Flowers 4 you, in Hawera.
She sees upskilling as an essential part of her development; completing Level 3 and 4 in
Floristry with NZ Hort ITO, and now studying Level 4 Advanced Theory and Research. “If I
hadn’t done this, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to meet such a wide range of
interesting people,” she says. “My tutor, Joy Knight is always suggesting ideas.”
Jessica feels that she has unfinished business with the Young Horticulturist of the Year
competition. “The first time I entered I was quite green, this time I want to give it a really
good go.”
Coming from a farming background, Jessica is aware that she needs to skill up in the fruit
and vegetable area for the competition. She’s also brushing up on crop management and her
tractor skills. “I’ve got three great tutors, and this time I’m coming with more knowledge and
more experience,” she says.
She’s already developed three ideas for the challenging AGMARDT Market Innovation
project.
No stranger to long hours, Jessica’s florist business sees her working 7 days a week. Sundays
are spent picking greenery, and she manages to fit in demonstrations for groups in her
precious spare time.
Her partner Neil is a dairy farmer from Northern Ireland; the couple visited there last year,
and are planning a return trip for 2014. If she wins Young Horticulturist of the Year
competition, her prize could take her even further afield. “It’s the competition and the
opportunities that it opens up afterwards, the prize is really a bonus.”
Kelly Jean Kerr
Winner of 2013 Young Achiever Award in the Nursery and Garden competition.
Landscape designer Kelly Jean Kerr was “strongly encouraged” to enter the 2012 ‘Hortfert
Young Achiever Award’. Despite the support of her manager, Kelly Jean felt a little hesitant,
yet still managed to secure second place in the 2012 competition.
“After that I decided that I wanted to win it. I knew it was in my ability and skill set, and that
I could win,” says Kelly. The fact that it was one woman against three men saw just a hint of
feminine pride at stake as well. Kelly Jean won ‘Hortfert Young Achiever’ in 2013 which
places her as a finalist in the Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition 2013.
She says that if she could win Young Achiever that she’d give it her best shot to win the
Young Horticulturist of the Year competition. While Kelly Jean was familiar with some
aspects of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition she now realises there’s more to
it “which shouldn’t surprise me as I’ve seen ‘Young Farmer’ and there’s lots to do”.
Kelly Jean earned her degree in landscape architecture (with honours) at Lincoln University
in Canterbury. “Everything else I’ve learned here is on the ground, including licenses for
forklift.”
Her work as a landscape designer spans team leadership for the staff at Springvale Garden
Centre, landscape consults with clients, event management, sales and customer
management. She can also drive a forklift and front end loader for the landscape supply bins;
a skill that may serve her well in the competition.
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Kelly Jean’s favourite part of her job is working with plants outside. She says that every day
of her job is different and that she learns something about plants daily.
Kelly Jean has recently become a first time owner of an ex state house. There’s much to do,
and she has her own garden to tend to, which takes up some time. Reading, photography,
music and singing fill any spare hours. She’s also a contributor to a Total Health programme
which focuses on healthy lifestyles. “I talk about growing vegetables and how they help us
towards healthy living,” she explains.
The head judge of the ‘Hortfert Young Achiever Award’ is now Kelly Jean’s mentor. Carol
Fraser of Growing Spectrum along with NGINZ are ensuring she has all the support that she
needs.
Kelly Jean’s juggling the busyness of spring with competing in Young Horticulturist of the
Year, and recognises the importance of time management. While she knows that one of her
challenges will be the AGMARDT Market Innovation project, successfully backing a trailer is
also a skill she knows she needs to master.
Kelly loves to travel and hopes to combine travel with learning by attending the 2014 Chelsea
Flower show and a one year garden centre management course at Wisley Gardens in
England. “The opportunity to learn and travel at the same time; that’s a real bonus.”
Laurence Speedy.
2013 NZ Recreation Association’s (Parks and Gardens) Young Amenity
Horticulture winner.
Working with horses and horticulture have been two major interests in Laurence's life. He
says that both can be time consuming and striking a balance between the two is never easy.
Qualifying for this year's national Young Horticulturalist of the Year grand final has given
Laurence an opportunity to further develop his horticultural skills and knowledge - with only
two months to go, horticulture is undoubtedly the commanding interest.
The experience of entering the Amenity Horticulturist competition last year placed Laurence
well to win it in 2013. He says that competing this year he was more relaxed and confident
and found the pace over the two days easier to manage.
As amenities gardener at Auckland Botanic Gardens, Laurence is responsible for the lower
maintenance planting around lakes, visitor buildings and car parks, as well as some of the
thematic gardens and kids gardens, riparian and re vegetation plantings.
With such extensive areas to work within Laurence likens himself, and his team to freelance
gardeners. “I enjoy it as you’re not in the one area all the time.” He’s also rostered to work
with collection curators so his experience in this field is developed as well. Mowing and turf
management round out Laurence’s duties.
Laurence thrives on the wide exposure to different gardens and plants and the people who
specialise in their care at the Botanic Gardens.
Winning the Amenity Horticulture competition was a bonus, as he says his primary reason
for entering was the learning and development, in essence building on his practical
experience and working knowledge.
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He’s now preparing for the Young Horticulturist of the Year grand final; “I’ve read what I
have to do and it’s quite cool to have the opportunity to actually research and prepare for the
final.” He sees this as a natural evolution of his ongoing goal of professional development.
Laurence earned his Bachelor of Biological Sciences at Massey (2006) and a Certificate in
Horticulture qualification at Manukau Tech in 2011. He would like to pursue further
academic studies focussing on landscaping, nursery production, and sustainable
gardening/land management.
While his life revolves around his job this year, Laurence does enjoy disappearing to the
family bach on the Manukau Harbour to fish for his dinner and relax.
He’s travelled through to France, Belgium, UK and Ireland and would like to return to
Europe.
“I’m a steady achiever and my philosophy is that every little bit counts. Some days you won’t
achieve milestones, but if you can learn and develop, this will serve you in good stead.”
Matt Fox
Winner of the 2013 Young Viticulturist of the Year
Matt Fox is hoping to copy his predecessor Braden Crosby and become the second
winemaker in a row to take home the ‘Young Horticulturist of the Year’ title.
Fresh from winning the Markham Stevens Moore Young Viticulturist of the Year
competition, Matt says that he entered to test and benchmark himself within the
winemaking industry. He believes that if he can find his weaknesses he can work on them to
develop strengths.
Matt was one of the four finalists who had competed in the nationals before, and, even with
their previous experience, only a point separated first and second place getter.
With hardly time to raise a celebratory glass, Matt went straight into a planning seminar
with the other five finalists for the AGMARDT Market Innovation Project, a written project
within the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition.
Matt hopes that some of the skills that he used in the Young Viticulturist competition can be
applied to the Young Horticulturist of the Year. These include the public speaking and
performing general tasks that cover multiple industries.
“I can see there’s going to be alot of sleepless nights, and it’s going to be challenging, but I’m
looking forward to it,” says Matt.
As vineyard manager for DW Briant’s Glencoe Vineyards in Gisborne, Matt’s responsible for
the day to day running of the business, organising all field operations and communicating
with the wine companies that they supply. The family owned business has customers in
Gisborne, Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Auckland.
Matt has a bachelor of viticulture and wine science degrees. The four year, double degree has
“cut down the time to climb the corporate ladder”, explains Matt. “These days you need a
tertiary education, it’s what the industry look for.”
He doesn’t see time for much else but work and preparation for the Young Horticulturist of
the Year, although with a wedding planned for late January 2014, the travel portion of the
competition prize holds some appeal.
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“We’re both aware of the prize, but you gain so much more than just the travel,” he says.
Recognition within the viticulture and the wider horticulture industry, as well as networking
opportunities are a significant attraction for Matt.
A seasoned traveller, Matt’s been working as a winemaker between the northern and
southern hemispheres, taking in Australia, Canada and France over the past two years.
“I’ll never know everything, but I want to try and learn as much as I can.”
Matt appreciates the support from his parents, family and fiancé, as well as from the
industry.
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