A talented group of people who have gone on to become industry leaders.
Those who have taken part in the Young Grower of the Year have attested to the competition’s value, how it expands career prospects, offers networking opportunities, and provides a confidence boost regardless of whether contestants walk away with a winning title.
Many of these young growers have gone on to mentor other young growers in their communities and are now considered leaders in their field. Read about our alumni and their stories, below.
2024 Results

Grace Fullford
2024 Young Grower of the Year
2024 Young Fruit Grower of the Year

Jamie Wells
2024 Young Grower of the Year Runner Up
2024 Young Vegetable Grower of the Year
National final winners

Grace Fullford
2024 winner

Taylor Leabourn
2023 winner

Meryn Whitehead
2022 winner

Melissa Bennett (née van den Heuvel)
2021 winner

Jono Sutton
2019 winner

Danni van der Heijden
2018 winner

Erin Atkinson
2017 winner

Andrew Hutchinson
2016 winner

Hamish Gates
2015 winner

Patrick Malley
2014 winner

Ben James
2013 winner

Andrew Scott
2012 winner

Ben Smith
2011 winner

Gareth Holder
2010 winner

Kevin McInnes
2009 winner

Toby Potter
2008 winner

Robert Humphries
2007 winner
Young fruit grower winners

Grace Fullford
2024 winner

Jan Buter
2023

Meryn Whitehead
2022

Melissa Bennett (née van den Heuvel)
2021

Jono Sutton
2019

Danni van der Heijden
2018

Erin Atkinson
2017

Chris Clement
2016

Craig Ward
2015

Patrick Malley
2014

Ben James
2013

Jos Bell
2012

Kevin Withington
2011

Jonathan Newby
2010
Young Vegetable Grower winners

Jamie Wells
2024 winner

Taylor Leabourn
2023

Sarah Dobson
2022

Austin Singh Purewal
2019

Esteban Ibanez
2018 (joint winner)

Gurjant Singh
2018 (joint winner)

Scott Wilcox
2017

Andrew Hutchinson
2016

Hamish Gates
2015

Brett Parker
2014

Andrew Scott
2012

Ben Smith
2011

Gareth Holder
2010