Do you have a passion for plants? A fervorfor flora and fauna? The New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) are lookingfor the next Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year.

This competition aims to inspire the nextgeneration of leaders in New Zealand’s amenity gardens, providing anopportunity for skills and knowledge to grow through personal and professionaldevelopment.

This is a national event for young amenityhorticulturists, organised by NZRA and sponsored by Farmlands. The competitioncentres on a mix of practical and managerial based skills, as well asleadership and presentation of ideas.

The 2016 winner was Jeanette Martin fromAuckland Botanic Gardens.

“Winning the competition has opened upmany avenues of opportunity for me” says Jeanette.

“I have grown my knowledge of horticulturein preparing for the practical tests. My confidence in public speaking hasdeveloped enormously through presenting, not only in the competition but inother events I have been asked to talk at.”

When asked if she had any advice for youngpeople thinking of entering she said, “You don't know what you are capable ofso give it a go and find out, you might surprise yourself!”.

Think you have what it takes to be the2017 Young Amenity Horticulturist of the Year? The event takes place on 12 -13July 2017 at Wellington Botanic Gardens and you can enter and find furtherinformation at http://bit.ly/YAhorti