Scott secures second place
Pukekohe’s Scott Wilcox has been awarded runner-up at the Young Grower of the Year annual awards dinner in Christchurch.
Wilcox, 23, a fourth generation grower at Pukekohe family company AS Wilcox, was also awarded the Best Practical title after winning the hands-on challenges. He was named Young Vegetable Grower 2017 back in May.
After two days of activities in the national competition last week, where Wilcox competed against four other finalists, he was placed second to overall winner of Young Grower, Erin Atkinson of Te Puke, the first woman to win the title.
Wilcox said he was very proud to have received second place because there was a very high standard across all the finalists and they posed extremely strong competition.
‘‘It’s been a challenging experience but also very rewarding, especially meeting other young people in the industry from around the country.’’
During the competition, which is in its 11th year, all five finalists competed in a series of practical and theoretical challenges designed to test the skills needed to run a successful export-focused horticultural business. They also took part in a leadership panel discussion before delivering a speech in front of the judges at the awards dinner event.
Judges looked for individuals who can make a difference in their sectors and the industry, going beyond great skills to also include leadership, attitude and personality.
Horticulture New Zealand chief executive, Mike Chapman, said: ‘‘The Young Grower competition is a great way to nurture the interest and passion of the younger generations as well as showcase the industry.’’