Caine Thompson of Taradale is the 2009 Young Horticulturist of the Year. Twenty-seven-year-old Caine, a viticulturist at Mission Estate, Taradale, represented NZ Winegrowers at the Auckland finals.
Caine competed against seven other finalists from around the country, who represented various areas of the horticulture industry and had reached the finals by winning their respective sector competitions. Managed by the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Education Trust, on behalf of the naming sponsor, the New Zealand Horticulture Industry Training Organisation, the competition acknowledges the country’s most talented horticulturists aged under 30 years.
Based on the Young Farmer of the Year contest, the Young Horticulturist grand final is a two-day event. On day one the participants presented a marketing project sponsored by AGMARDT (Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust). The final day was a practical one, where the sector finalists tackled various horticultural-based challenges at the Botanic Gardens, Manurewa.
“The competition is a great way to challenge yourself,” said Caine. “Competing against people outside the wine industry, I was able to benchmark myself in terms of how well I am progressing in my career against like-minded people in their respective industries.
“You could tell that all the finalists had put so much work into the competition. It was quite nerve wracking going up against all very good people, who had come through their regional and national competitions to reach the final day.
“Winning the event means so, so much. It takes you out of your comfort zone, something people don’t do enough of. It’s great when you set a goal and then achieve it. I am especially looking forward to taking part in the Leadership NZ course which is part of the prize. I see this as a stepping stone for my career.”
Caine anticipates using the travel part of his prize to visit the wine growing regions of Italy, Germany and France, his ultimate goal being to run his own winery.
Event co-ordinator Elenka Nikoloff says the aim of the competition is to inspire young people in the horticultural industry, applaud those who are truly dedicated and offer them assistance on their path to their leadership.
“The type of person we are looking for to enter the competition is a go-getter and all-rounder who is willing to give all the activities a go. They will have completed a horticultural qualification and have worked in the industry in a hands-on role for about three years. They may have progressed into a supervisory role and are beginning to develop their management skills.”
From a prize pool of more than $40,000 Caine received a selection of prizes including a gift voucher from Fruitfed Supplies.
For past four years Caine Thompson, (27), has been a company viticulturist at Mission Estate, Taradale. His responsibilities include managing company vineyards, liaising with contract growers and working with the company’s marketing team.
Caine’s interest in horticulture started at high school. He completed a Bachelor of Applied Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Plant Science at Massey University. Caine entered the work force at Alpha Domus Winery, Hastings, as a vineyard hand machinery operator. He went on to spend two years at the winery as a vineyard manager before moving to Mission Estate.
Caine and his business partner, Dr Hayden Lawrence, formed Spatial Solutions, a business providing the industry with precision tools for managing vineyard variability plus pest and disease control. Caine helped develop the leaf roll virus elimination project with NZ Winegrowers and Plant & Food Research. He is a member of the Focus Research Group in Hawke’s Bay, which transfers information obtained through research to the industry and he is also the technical officer for the Gimblett Gravels Association, using his expertise to provide feedback to growers on the latest growing trends.
Caine’s AGMARDT project featured a clip-on computer module to be used on the front of a tractor. This would scan the vines to gather information about the vineyard, for example, virus detection and vine growth.
Caine says his next step is to get more business experience and eventually run his own winery. Away from the vineyard, Caine is a keen golfer, tennis and squash player.
The 2009 Young Horticulturist of the Year finalists were:
Erin Farrow (28), of Mt Eden, Auckland, a self-employed landscaper, represented the Landscaping Association - Second.
Marc Higgie (28), of Wanganui, who manages his family’s 60-acre arboretum and a six-acre public garden, represented the Arboriculture Association.
Sandra How (24) of Hamilton, employed by the Hamilton City Council at the Hamilton Gardens. represents the NZ Recreation/Amenity sector of Horticulture NZ.
Nigel McCartin (29), of Leeston, the production manager at Oakley’s Premium Fresh Vegetables, Southbridge, represented the Vege sector of Horticulture NZ.
Laura McGuire, of Christchurch (25) a floral designer who owns a store specialising in native flowers and foliage, represented the Cutflower industry.
Kevin McInnes (21) of Hastings, an orchardist for a 200-acre apple, pear and peach grower, represented the Fruit sector of Horticulture NZ.
Phillippa McVicar (24) of New Plymouth, a nursery manager specialising in ornamental conifer and shelter trees, represented the Nursery & Garden Industry - Third.