Its over – That’s all I want to say about this harvest which is all but finished! One thing’s for sure though, you never get two seasons the same so let’s look forward to our next harvest of stone fruit, pip fruit and kiwifruit. At the same time, we are remembering that our post-harvest operators are forging their way through the many challenges facing them. Shipping restraints remain a major concern of course and this not helped by China’s zero Covid policy meaning millions of people are locked down affecting ports, cool chain transport, sales etc. But we will get through and before we know it another harvest season will be upon us.
In a couple of weeks Thursday May 26th at the HB show grounds, we will be holding our “Hawkes Bay Young Fruit Grower of the year comp” (HBYFG) – we have 8 young bright individuals who have put their hand up and been selected to compete in this year’s competition. On Friday May 27th we have our Annual HBYFG Awards Dinner and speech night. This is an outstanding night of fun, networking and celebrating our industry. We only have a few tables left, so I encourage all our growers to get online and book a seat, bring some of your team along and enjoy a great night out. This year we will be presenting HBFA’s top award – “The Joe Bell Trophy” this award is for outstanding services to the industry. I want to thank all our sponsors who have come on-board to support this great event which has been running for 17 years now. Dean Astill, who was the 2005 inaugural HBYFG winner then went on to take out the top prize and become NZ Grower of the Year came and spoke to this year’s contestants, It was an inspiring story to hear of small beginnings – working in a fruit and veg store while at school to where Dean is now. It’s important we sow hope and vision into our young people of what can be.
I look forward to seeing many of you at this year’s event.
Brydon Nisbet
HBFA President
