Chertsey grower digs deep to win regional final
Amber Davy may have fallen into the potato industry by accident, but seven years on she has firmly established herself as one of horticulture’s emerging leaders.
The 29-year-old Eurogrow quality and field manager has won the 2026 Canterbury Young Grower title after competing against six other contestants at Lincoln University on June 25.
Davy will now represent the region at the national Young Grower of the Year competition in Cromwell on August 27 and 28.
She described the win as “pretty surreal”.
“It was my first time doing anything like this,” she said.
Although confident in her own area of seed potatoes, Davy said the broader nature of the competition pushed her well beyond her usual field of expertise.
“I work only with potatoes, so I was quite nervous about everything else,” she said.
To prepare, she spent time with an agronomist, spoke with past competitors and revisited notes from her university studies.
Contestants were given an outline of the modules beforehand, but Davy said there was still plenty of uncertainty about what they might face on the day.
“You never really know whether you have studied the right things.”
One of her biggest concerns was the telehandler module, as she had not driven machinery for around seven years.
“It actually went better than expected,” she said.
Davy grew up on a sheep and beef farm near Taihape and completed a Bachelor of Agriculture at Lincoln University.
She was unsure what direction she wanted to take after graduating, but a summer job rouging seed potato crops proved to be the beginning of a career she now loves.
“At the end of summer, I was offered a job driving tractors for a local potato grower,” she said.
Because the work was seasonal, she began carrying out tuber and field inspections for Eurogrow between planting and harvest.
The arrangement eventually led to a full-time role.
“I have always liked science, research and plants, so this role is actually perfect for me.”
Davy has now been with Eurogrow for seven years and is the company’s only full-time South Island-based employee.
Working from her home near Chertsey, north of Ashburton, she covers the entire South Island.
Her role includes overseeing Eurogrow’s new variety programme, managing trials around the country and looking after its early generation seed programme.
The new varieties are her favourite part of the job.
She also values the close relationships within the potato sector, which has around 100 commercial growers nationwide.
“It is a very tight-knit community. Everyone knows everyone,” she said.
“Potato growers are forward-thinking, great to work with, and keen to see people do well.”
Davy said access to suitable land was one of the main challenges facing the potato industry, particularly as more land was converted to dairy.
Disease and pest pressure were also increasing as the amount of suitable growing land reduced.
Another concern was attracting the next generation into the sector.
“The average age of a potato grower in New Zealand is not exactly young,” she said.
Davy is helping address that challenge as chair of the Potatoes New Zealand Youth Council.
The council works alongside Potatoes New Zealand to develop initiatives that encourage young people into the industry and support those already working within it.
“The opportunity came up, and I am very big on taking opportunities when they arise,” she said.
That approach has also seen Davy continue her education and travel overseas for specialist training.
She has completed a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Science and a Postgraduate Diploma in Horticultural Science and attended the Potato Business School in Holland in 2023.
She has also attended the International Potato Congress and travelled to Germany to spend time with agronomists connected to one of Eurogrow’s international breeding partners.
Despite her growing experience and industry involvement, Davy said her immediate focus remained on learning.
“I did not start out in the sector, and I still have a lot to learn,” she said.
“My main focus is learning as much as I can and continuing to take opportunities as they come.”
She also wants to help build a strong future for the industry.
“I am really enjoying working alongside farmers and helping foster the next generation, because the next generation are the people I will be working with in 20 years’ time.”
Davy is now turning her attention to the national competition, where she will compete against six other regional winners.
She said she was both nervous and excited.
“I am up against some really strong competition.”
Her preparation will again involve seeking advice from people with expertise outside her own area.
“I will track down and speak with people who know more than I do.”
Davy said the national event would also be a valuable chance to meet people from across the wider horticulture industry and broaden her knowledge beyond potatoes.
Runner-up in the Canterbury competition was Jacob Preston, farm manager at Eyrebrook Fresh Limited in Christchurch.
Third place went to Charlie Crozier, who grew up on his family’s vegetable farm in Leeston and is in his first year at Lincoln University, studying towards a Bachelor of Commerce in Agriculture.
The Young Grower competition celebrates the skills and achievements of young people in horticulture and encourages others to consider careers in the sector.
Regional competitions are organised independently, with Horticulture New Zealand hosting the national final in a different location each year.
The competition is open to commercial fruit and vegetable growers aged 30 and under.
HortNZ chief executive Kate Scott said the competitions were a highlight of the year and helped demonstrate the skill of young people working across the industry.
“The regional organisers contribute a huge amount of time, expertise, energy and passion to make the Young Grower regional competitions happen. We could not do it without them,” she said.
“They do it to recognise and celebrate the high calibre of young people working in the industry, and to show others the many pathways horticulture offers into interesting and rewarding careers.”
Davy’s advice to anyone considering one of those pathways is simple.
“Just do it.
“It does not matter where you start, and your first job does not have to be your forever job. It can be a great stepping stone.
“Take the opportunities as they come.”
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