The Institute of Horticulture Young Horticulturist of the Year 2013 competition is forecast to be the best ever, with over 2000 young horticulturists, who are either studying horticulture or working in the industry, expected to take part.
Prizes valued at more than £10,000 are on offer, including the coveted Percy Thrower Travel Bursary of £2000, which is sponsored by the Shropshire Horticultural Society. The initial heats will take place across Great Britain and Ireland from early January until late February 2013. The 2013 competition is open to any horticulturist who is below the age of 30 on 31 July 2013.
Past winners have found it a great boost for their CV and career prospects. The 2012 Grand Final winner Douglas Mackay said “Competing in the Institute of Horticulture Young Horticulturist of the Year has been a fantastic experience over the last three years, meeting like-minded people from all over the country. I am overwhelmed to have finally won the competition and I am planning to travel Europe studying fruit production and crop protection techniques across the region. I am indebted to my lecturers who have inspired me in my career.”
Whilst most of the heats are held at horticultural colleges for student entrants, apprentices and those employed in all sectors of horticulture are encouraged to enter. The Institute is very keen to see more young people who are working in the industry taking part in 2013. Over the last three years Royal Parks Apprentices and a number of young employees from Garden Centre Group linked garden centres have entered, along with staff from Tottenham Hotspur Football Club and various heritage gardens.
Once all the heats are completed, eight regional finals will follow in March to select the top eight contestants from across the UK and Ireland. The 2013 Grand Final will be held at the Liverpool University Botanic Gardens, Ness, Wirral on April 13 2013.
Visit http://www.horticulture.org.uk/page.php?pageid=562 for a trial run at some of the heat questions posed to past contestants and to read more about the competition.
Anyone interested in taking part should contact the Institute’s Administration Team TEl 01992 707025 or email ioh@horticulture.org.uk.