Grace Fulford, a Quality and Compliance Manager at T&G Global, was awarded the 2024 New Zealand Young Grower of the Year title at last night’s award ceremony.
Grace secured this prestigious honour after months of dedicated preparation and hard work, having previously won the regional Hawke’s Bay Young Fruit Grower of the Year competition in June. She also took home the Best Practical Award and the New Zealand Young Fruit Grower of the Year title.
A fourth-generation horticulturalist, Grace competed in Hastings this week against five other finalists from diverse horticultural backgrounds across the country. Her knowledge and expertise were rigorously tested through a series of challenges, including plant nutrition, irrigation, crop management and industry innovation.
“I thoroughly enjoyed participating in both the regional and national competitions this year. The contestants were fantastic, and I feel fortunate to have made so many new connections and friends and learnt a tonne along the way. I’ve genuinely loved every minute of it,” says Grace.
“The finalists that I competed against were all exceptional growers, and the competition was tough, so I was stoked to take it out. Having my entire family there to celebrate the win with me made it even more special. For anyone considering applying for next year’s Young Grower of the Year competition, I highly encourage you to just give it a go. Step outside your comfort zone because it’s truly a great experience and you’ll learn heaps.”
T&G’s Director of Operations, Craig Betty, highlights the significance of the competition in nurturing and recognising the emerging leaders within the horticultural sector.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate Grace’s remarkable achievement alongside her, her team and her family. Grace has consistently shown a passion for horticulture and a commitment to excellence that’s really inspiring. This win is a testament to her hard work and the bright future she has ahead of her in our industry,” says Craig.
“At T&G, we know the performance and growth of our business comes from our people. We work hard to develop a high-performance culture, building the capabilities and leadership skills of our team members. We’re incredibly proud to have Grace as part of our team and will keep supporting her every step of the way.”
