Young Poulter Group Employees Shine in Horticulture and Winemaking
Taylor Leabourn, a standout talent and Poulter Group employee, emerged as the national champion in the Pukekohe regional competition for the Young Grower of the Year. His impressive victory in the horticulture sector reflects his dedication and expertise.
As the winner of the regional competition, Taylor expressed his delight at being able to compete for the national title in his home region, Pukekohe. The familiar faces and the special significance of competing on his home turf added to the experience.
The Young Grower of the Year competition not only celebrates success but also aims to inspire young individuals to pursue careers in horticulture. Participants engaged in a series of practical and theoretical horticulture modules over two days, testing their knowledge in areas such as vegetable and fruit cultivation. These challenges encompassed a wide range of skills, from nutrition and fertigation to tractor operation, integrated pest management, agrichemical stewardship, and horticulture biosecurity.
The competition also included two business activities - innovation and a leadership panel - as well as a speech segment. Taylor Leabourn excelled across the board, winning categories such as innovation, business, practical, and young vegetable grower.
In the world of winemaking, another star was born. Alena Kamper, a 22-year-old talent representing the Poulter Families Winery in Hawke's Bay, secured the coveted title of the 2023 Tonnellerie de Mercurey North Island Young Winemaker of the Year. Her remarkable achievement came after an intense competition held at Indevin's Gimblett Gravels winery on September 28th.
Alena's performance was nothing short of outstanding as she demonstrated her expertise in various aspects of winemaking, including blending, wine market knowledge, cellar skills, wine tasting, and the interview segment. Her win is not only a testament to her dedication but also underscores the Poulter Group's commitment to nurturing and supporting emerging talents in the wine industry.
As Alena Kamper's journey continues, she is set to represent the North Island in the National Final scheduled for October 31st at The Bone Line in Waipara, North Canterbury. These outstanding achievements by Taylor and Alena reflect the Poulter Group's commitment to excellence and innovation across various sectors, be it horticulture or winemaking.
