14 November 2024 Lincoln alum Anna England plants herself at the top as 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year

Lincoln University alumna Anna England has been crowned the 2024 Young Horticulturist of the Year (Kaiahuone Rangatahi o te Tau), triumphing in the competition’s finals held in Karaka.

Anna, a nursery sales coordinator at Elliotts Wholesale Nursery in Amberley, competed against the best young horticultural talent in Aotearoa, representing the Young Plant Producer sector.

The competition is renowned for its rigour, and finalists are judged on several challenges, including practical skills, industry expertise, leadership ability, business knowledge, and communication.

Anna described her reaction to winning as “surreal.”

“I wasn’t expecting it because the other competitors were so good, and you never know how you’re stacking up. When they called my name, I was blown away.”

Anna’s pivot into the horticulture industry began after the first COVID lockdown. Unsure of her next steps with a degree in business, Anna decided to step away from city life and undertook a Lincoln Diploma in Horticulture, taking advantage of the fees-free initiative.

“I saw a real opportunity coming down to Lincoln, which had such a good reputation, especially for horticulture and agriculture, and getting a job afterwards.

“It felt like the perfect way to get into the industry. It was such a nice learning environment, and I think the practical aspect, like the labs, growing, and trialling crops, was really good.”

After a few years working in the industry, this year was Anna’s last opportunity to enter the competition.

She found that balancing full-time work, part-time study, and preparing reports and presentations made the competition’s lead-up just as challenging as the event itself.

However, Anna mentioned her advantage when it came to the horticultural knowledge section.

“It was pretty much all covered in the Lincoln diploma, so I was really glad I kept all my old study notes.”

Senior Tutor Jill Reader, who taught Anna during her diploma, attended the competition as a moderator. She described the experience as inspiring.

“Anna was a joy to have in class, and I was so thrilled that she won in what was a nail-biting finish, up against very tough competition.

Anna in the practical element of the competition

“Having her win this year was a great personal feat and an endorsement of the knowledge and skills taught here in the Dip Hort, and we couldn’t be prouder.”

The judges were impressed with how Anna applies her knowledge of business and IT, as well as horticulture, to a diverse industry role.

Anna’s job at Elliotts Wholesale Nursery perfectly blends her expertise. She credits Lincoln’s Diploma in Horticulture for equipping her with the knowledge needed and helping her secure the role.

“The connection I made during a field trip there helped me land the job. It’s been such a great fit, managing logistics, and I love seeing the full cycle of our plants – from propagation to growing and then selling.”

Now, with the Young Horticulturist of the Year title under her belt, Anna plans to keep advancing at the nursery, with aspirations for managerial roles in the future.

Outside of work, she is exploring plant hybridisation as a personal project.

“I find it really fun and exciting playing around with the plant crosses because you can make an educated guess, but you never know what you’re going to get.”

Congratulations, Anna, on your win and your continued innovative efforts that are positively impacting the horticulture industry.