Ben Smith a tomato grower from Pukekohe, has been named Young Grower of the Year.

Ben beat three other finalists to win the award which was presented at the Horticulture New Zealand Annual Conference in Rotorua.

The Young Grower of the Year competition tested four regional finalists on a range of essential horticulture business and practical skills, including driving a tractor, employment relations and public speaking to more than 400 delegates.

Ben works for Status Produce in Pukekohe. He earned his place at the competition after taking out the Young Vegetable Grower title earlier this year.

He wins $4,000 and a trip to Australia, to visit other tomato crop growers.
29-year-old Ben is excited by the win. He says it is a privilege to receive the award, especially given the calibre of his competitors

“There’s a lot of connections you make at something like this. A lot of new skills, a lot of good friends, you know the other contestants I’m probably going to stay friends with for life now.

"Really a surprising amount of comaraderie, when you’re actually competing against these guys. You know working together on different things that are kind of counter intuitive when it’s a competition, but we really did work together. So yeah a lot of rewards in it.”

This will be the third year that the Young Grower of the Year competition has been held.

Run by Horticulture New Zealand, the competition is supported by Platinum Sponsor, ZESPRI International, and others, who recognise and celebrate young leaders in the horticulture industry.