The Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust - Young Horticulturist of the Year competition

Tuesday, 8 May, 2012 - 09:35
Source: http://www.voxy.co.nz

The call is now out for talented young New Zealand horticulturists to put themselves forward to enter their industry sector competitions, with the view of ultimately competing for the honour of being 2012's top horticultural industry achiever.

Successful candidates from: The Fruit Sector of Horticulture NZ and the Vegetable Sector of Horticulture NZ; Floriculture, which includes Florists NZ Inc (FLONZI) and NZ Flower Growers; Landscaping New Zealand; Nursery and Garden Industry Association; NZ Recreation Ass'n - Amenity Horticulture and NZ Winegrowers will go on to compete at the Grand Final of the Young Horticulturist of the Year in Auckland on November 14 & 15th.

The Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition, which is managed by the RNZIH Education Trust, is in its eighth year. Past winners have included a tomato grower, a nurseryman, a fruit export manager, a vineyard manager and three viticulturists.

ScoutPro - Winner of the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition

What if you could create an app for a smartphone or tablet? What if your app would allow the user to identify weeds, insects, and diseases in a farm field, so the farmer can make on-the-go adjustments right then and there? What if you could win a competition because of that idea?

Iowa State students Michael Koenig, Holden Nyhus, and Stuart McCulloh did exactly that. These three first met in an agricultural entrepreneurship class and formed their business, ScoutPro. Their business plan for this ingenious innovation won the top prize of $5,000 in the Pappajohn New Venture Business Plan Competition, an open competition for all students at Iowa colleges and universities.

Whether it's in the classroom, lab or competition, Iowa State offers students a wide range of entrepreneurial academic opportunities. The Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneurship inspires students to create a new business. And the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Learning Community at Iowa State helps them develop an understanding of new business fundamentals by providing a unique hands-on environment.

Right now, Michael, Holden and Stuart are working on ways to improve their idea and get it on the market. So the next time you look at the app store, ScoutPro will be there.

Source: http://www.iastate.edu/stories/2011/08/scoutpro