Young growers need to be in it “for the long haul”

The 2022 APAL Awards for Excellence are now open for nominations. The Young Grower of the Year category gives our industry the opportunity to recognise promising individuals in the next generation of growers.   

2020 Young Grower of the Year Matt Griggs

2020 recipient Matt Griggs of Lucaston Park Orchards believes that a key quality in successful young growers is the ability to think long-term and look to the future when they’re starting out.   

“It’s not a short-term game,” Matt said. “You’ve got to be invested in industry for the long haul.” 

This can include seizing training opportunities, such as the Masterclass in Horticultural Business that Matthew undertook at TIA. Such opportunities offer more than just practical skills.  

“When it comes to training, everything helps, but it also shows you are really invested and have an interest in the industry,” Matt said.  

But there are other qualities that mark out a promising young grower. 

“I think you also need to be doing something a bit innovative, a bit different, and creating value or seeing opportunities the generation before didn’t,” Matt said. 

The positive impact of recognition such as Young Grower of the Year reaches beyond just the award recipient themselves – it also affects the wider business for the better.  

“External recognition is very validating for young growers, and I think it definitely is encouraging to see that you’re being recognised for the work you do,” Matt said. “But it also gives recognition for the whole business to receive that honour. No one is an island in a broad business like ours.”

Have someone in mind for Young Grower of the Year?

Give them the recognition they deserve and nominate now!

This category is open to individuals in the apple/pear industry 35 years of age or less as at 1 June 2022, who

• champions the success of the industry and shows a commitment to innovation, helping to define the next generation of growers.
• demonstrates a high level of commitment to the industry and helps to enrich the community in which they operate as well as working with external stakeholders to introduce new perspectives.
• understands and practices sustainable practices and is committed to enhancing agriculture and the land.