Zespri’s Lilah Rosenfeldt wins Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year 2024

Lilah Rosenfeldt was crowned 2024 Bay of Plenty Young Grower of the Year at an awards ceremony in Mount Maunganui last night (Wednesday, 17 July).

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. 

“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,” she said. 

Lilah was presented the award by Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture) Hon Nicola Grigg.

Lilah said while she did not expect to win, it meant 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 gala dinner event were Tauranga and Bay of Plenty MPs Sam Uffindell and Tom Rutherford, Western Bay of Plenty mayor James Denyer, Horticulture New Zealand chairman Barry O’Neil, and NZKGI chairman Mark Mayston. 

Now in its 17th year, the Bay of Plenty Young Grower competition 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 said. “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 said she entered the Bay of Plenty 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.”

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

Erin Atkinson, chairperson of the Young Grower Bay of Plenty upskilling committee, said 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.”

Atkinson said the Young Grower events were 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.”