Young Horticulturist of the Year 2015 competition
Thirty years after the tentative beginnings of the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition (YHoY), the Chartered Institute of Horticulture (CIH) has launched the 2015 competition. This prestigious annual competition attracts over 1,800 entrants each year and gives young horticulturists from the UK and Ireland the opportunity to compete for the Percy Thrower Travel Bursary worth £2,000 which is generously provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society.
For young horticulturists, who will be under the age of 30 by 31 July 2015, now is the time to take part in the first stage of the competition by entering one of the many YHoY heats taking place around the UK and Ireland. The heats are open to students of horticulture and young horticultural professionals working in the industry and there are three ways of taking part: attend one of the heats taking place in colleges and venues throughout the Institute’s eight branches: at a workplace with a Chartered Institute of Horticulture approved supervisor and via SKYPE. The closing date for entries is 10 February 2015.
The £2,000 Percy Thrower Travel Bursary, provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, enables the competition winner to undertake a trip, anywhere in the world, to study a subject related to their chosen field of horticulture. With prizes at every stage of the competition, competitors have a number of chances to get cash rewards for their efforts, plus there are lots of opportunities to meet and network with other young horticulturists along the way. Taking part is fun as well as something which enhances career prospects and aspirations.
The competition is run in three phases: local heats, regional finals and the Grand Final, with questions covering a wide range of horticultural subjects.
