Bay of Plenty’s reigning Young Grower of the Year – who went on to win the national title – is calling on young people in horticulture to ‘take the leap’ and enter the 2026 Bay of Plenty Young Grower Competition, with applications now open.
The competition is an annual event celebrating the region’s top young horticulture professionals. Contestants compete in practical and theory-based challenges that test their skills, knowledge, and leadership in the horticulture industry.
Phoebe Scherer, a rural professional working in technical horticulture, says she once sat in the audience and quietly hoped she might one day have the courage to compete herself.
Six years later, nearing the competition’s age limit and encouraged by friends, she finally entered – despite feeling unsure of herself.
“I was really hesitant. Everyone experiences impostor syndrome at some level, and I was no different,” she says. “But I had so much support around me. That made me realise it was the right moment to give it a go.”
Phoebe says the competition pushed her well outside her comfort zone. While her day-to-day role focuses on technical advice in fertilisers, agrichemicals, and biosecurity, the practical modules were daunting.
“Learning to drive a tractor and reverse a bin trailer was absolutely terrifying,” she laughs. “I’ll never forget the moment I got off that tractor and realised I hadn’t completely messed it up. I almost cried with relief – that was when I thought, I can actually get through this.”
She prepared intensively for the Gala Dinner speech, practising in front of colleagues, family, and with help from a speech coach. “It was a topic I really cared about, so I wanted to deliver it well. Performing in front of 500 people was scary, but by then I was prepared and grounded.”
When her name was announced as the winner, Phoebe says it felt surreal. “Honestly, it was pure shock and disbelief. I genuinely didn’t expect it.”
Winning the regional competition – and then the national title – has been career-defining. It broadened her outlook on what horticulture offers and strengthened her belief that she belongs in the sector.
“It made me realise how broad my skill set actually is,” she says. “It also opened doors I’d previously assumed were closed, because I didn’t have the confidence to knock on them.”
Phoebe says the competition highlights how the definition of a “grower” is evolving.
“As orchard ownership becomes more difficult for young people, we’ll see more rural professionals, consultants, and advisers stepping into that space. We’re all part of the same growing system, making decisions that contribute to better, bigger, tastier fruit.”
Her message to those considering entering is simple: “Give it a go.”
“Even if you don’t have support immediately around you, the competition itself is full of people who want you to succeed – module runners, previous contestants, organisers. You just need to commit and give it 110%.”
Applications for the 2026 Bay of Plenty Young Grower Competition are now open and close Friday, 24 April at 12:00pm.
For more information or to apply, visit: https://www.bopyounggrower.co.nz/apply-to-be-a-contestant
