Ben is a grower manager for Status Produce at Tuakau, responsible for a 5 hectare greenhouse site growing ranges of speciality tomatoes for supermarkets, food service companies and for export.
Ben competed against five other finalists from around the country, who represented various areas of the horticulture industry and had reached the final by winning their respective sector competitions.
Over the last two days the finalists tested their expertise in a range of challenges including impressing the judges with their marketing, presentation and accounting skills.
Today's activities were held at the Auckland Botanic Gardens, where the focus was on practical horticultural tasks.
The competition has a prize pool of more than $40,000 and looks to identify horticulturists willing to take on extra challenges which may initiate future leadership roles. It is managed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust, in conjunction with the partnering sponsors: The Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust (AGMARDT), Fruitfed Supplies, Turners & Growers and the NZ Horticulture Industry Training Organisation.
"This year we saw a very close competition; all the finalists were confident, practical all-rounders," said Richard Bawden, National Manager of Fruitfed Supplies, - part of PGG Wrightson Ltd.
"Horticulture is a great lifestyle career, but it is not just about planting and harvesting. Participants, especially those who are looking at supervisory roles, must also have excellent managerial skills, show a flair for the marketing side of their industry and be aware of industry trends and issues, for example, around sustainability."
Along with Ben, sector finalists represented Landscaping NZ, Nursery and Garden Industry Association, NZ Arboriculture Association, NZ Recreation Ass'n-Amenity Horticulture and NZ Winegrowers.
NZ Recreation Assn/Amenity Horticulture sector finalist Rebekah (Rangi) Green, of Waterview, Auckland, was placed second and Landscaping New Zealand finalist Paul Southan, of Mt Albert, Auckland, took third place.
Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz/business/competition-cultivates-young-leaders/5/107193
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