Lilah Rosenfeldt is the crowned 2024 Bay of Plenty Young Grower.

The 26 -year-old trials specialist at Zespri International accepted the prestigious award in front of her work colleagues and best friend of 14 years, at the competition’s largest gala dinner to date in Mount Maunganui overnight.

“It was pretty special to have my entire work crew to see me accept the award and my best friend. She has been my best friend since we were 12 and my biggest support,” Lilah says.

The award was presented by Associate Minister of Agriculture and State for Trade Nicola Grigg,

Lilah says while she didn’t expect to win, it means a lot to have been recognised as the region’s top young grower.

“I feel very shocked. It hasn’t really sunk in yet. I feel very honoured.”

Also in attendance at the awards were Tauranga and Bay of Plenty MPs Sam Uffindell and Tom Rutherford, Western Bay of Plenty Mayor James Denyer, Horticulture NZ chairman Barry O’Neil, and New Zealand Kiwifruit Growers Inc chairman Mark Mayston.

Now in its 17th year, the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition - MCd by comedian Pax Assadi and organised by NZKGI - aims to celebrate the future leaders of the horticulture industry.

The day-long competition, at both Mount Maunganui College and Mercury Baypark, saw eight contestants complete nine practical and theoretical tasks, finishing with a speech competition at the gala dinner.

Lilah won the horticentre agrichemical safety award and the Holland Beckett Speech Competition, impressing the judges with her three-minute speech on how Gen Z values unlock new levels of profitability in the horticulture sector.

“The day was really good,” Lilah says.

“I had a lot of fun completing all of the different tasks.”

Lilah has been a part of the kiwifruit industry for about seven years and was an orchard manager for three of those years.

She is currently a trials specialist at Zespri International, carrying out research and conducting trials on kiwifruit orchards.

Competing for the second time, Lilah says she entered the BOP young grower competition to learn new skills and meet other people passionate about the horticulture industry.

“I did it in Gisborne when I was 22, and because I am new to the Bay and I had such a good time last time, I thought I would do it again.”

The 2024 Bay of Plenty Young Grower contestants. Photo: Andrew Warner Photography.

Runner-up went to Jack Canham, who dominated the awards winning four of the 10 tasks, while third place went to Levi Horton.

Young Grower Bay of Plenty Upskilling Committee chairperson Erin Atkinson says the calibre of contestants seemed to step up year after year.

“They are knowledge seekers, and extremely ambitious, which gives us the confidence that we are in safe hands heading into the future. They are an amazing group of contestants.”

Erin says the Young Grower events are “extremely important” for the industry’s future.

“The events help to connect people and mentor them through the next step of their careers - challenging them to think of the big picture.”

First prize won Lilah a car on a three-month lease from Farmer Auto Village and $1500, as well a spot at the National Young Grower of the Year national finals in October.

Second place received $1000 and third place $750.

BOPYG award winners:

Horticentre agrichemical safety - Lilah Rosenfeldt

Fertco nutrient management - Grace Lowery KVH biosecurity - Jack Canham Farmlands “a day in the life an orchard manager” - Jack Canham NZ Avos “injecting trees to protect phytophthora root rot” - Brad Whitehead

Power Farming tractor “connecting and detaching implement” - Levi Horton

Apata “grafting softwood and propagation of hardwood species” - Jack Canham

ASB Innovation challenge - Levi Horton

Mayston Partners orchard profitability analysis - Jack Canham

Holland Beckett speech competition - Lilah Rosenfeldt

Upskilling Committee $2500 scholarship - James Hickman

Third place - Levi Horton Runner up - Jack Canham

Overall winner - Lilah Rosenfeldt