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.
2023 Results
Taylor Leabourn
2023 Young Grower of the Year
2022 Young Vegetable Grower of the Year
Best Practical modules
Best Business module
Best Innovation
Jan Buter
Runner up Young Grower of the Year
2023 Young Fruit Grower of the Year
Outstanding Leadership
Best Speech
National final winners
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
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
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