Horticulture

Horticulture's future is in highly skilled and capable hands.

Chair of the event Meg McFarlane told REX all about the festival, how it is run, the people behind it and much more.

Horticulture NZ is partnering with a number of organisations to fully understand and execute the concept of this project as effectively as possible.

Lydia O'Dowd's next challenge is competing in the NZ Young Horticulturalist of the Year in November 2023.

Lyndon Strang from Besgrow told REX they want to encourage more farmers to look at growing their own moss.

"Particularly off-shore for food security issues. We are seeing a really high level of interest in vertical farming," 26 Seasons farm CEO Grant Leach said.

"Last year was such a wet season so that's two years in a row now," Olive NZ Chief Executive Emma Glover told REX.

"If you make it easier for farmers, they're more likely to rapidly adopt this sort of technology," Mike Casey said.

The potential for the New Zealand farmer to take advantage has never been higher.

Founder and CEO of Reefton Distillery Co. Patsy Bass said to be recognised at the SIP Awards is particularly special.

O'Dowd is gearing up to compete in the Young Horticulturalist of the Year award, aiming to win a prize pool worth over $20,000.

Hines's victory books her spot in the national finals which will be held in Pukekohe this October.

This move is part of the government's efforts to address the lack of competition and excessive profits in the supermarket industry.

Products like kiwifruit, Mānuka honey, fish and seafood, onions, wine, and industrial goods will no longer face tariffs.

"It was definitely an extraordinary event," Grace Rehu told REX.

The Wool Pot is hoping to replace some of the 350 million plastic plant pots produced in NZ every year.