Horticultural field day tipped as bigger and better this year

The 2017 National Horticultural Field Day at Showground Hawke's Bay is set to be the biggest day in the event's history. Photo / Supplied

This year's National Horticultural Field Day is set to be the biggest day in the event's history as the stalls move to an outdoor location and education seminars are introduced.

Event manager Anna Hamilton said tomorrow's event would showcase just how rapidly the field day had evolved since it was first established as a grassroots expo seven years ago.

"This will easily be the biggest event we're ever held. There is no other event like it as others are very agricultural-based, where anyone from the horticulture industry would find less than 10 stalls for them,

"In this event any horticultural person walks in and everything is relevant. It's pretty unique."

The annual one-day event is set to bring together world-class speakers and New Zealand's top horticultural businesses, products and services.

As well as education seminars, this year's field day will introduce an Innovation Lunch aimed to showcase innovation and bring like-minded, innovative businesses together to share knowledge with one another.

The lunch will feature Chris Hartshorn from Callaghan Innovation and Janice Atkinson from Tow and Blow, and the well-established Horticulture Breakfast will feature Professor Hamish Gow, who will be returning after his popular seminar last year.

Other events on the programme include a BNZ Seminar Series, Pipfruit NZ Education Expo, Hawke's Bay Young Fruitgrower of the Year Competition, Ravensdown Innovation Award, NZ Hydralada Competition and ECR Forklift Competition.

Ms Hamilton said the field day would see a "huge amount" of networking and be a great chance for those working in the horticultural industry to catch up with old acquaintances.

The field day will be open from 11.30am tomorrow, June 29, at the Showgrounds Hawke's Bay in Hastings. Entry to the showgrounds will be via Kenilworth Rd.

For more information about tickets, the programme or trade exhibitors visit www.nationalhort.co.nz