The Horticulture Technical Team supports the horticultural industry by sharing and applying technical advice and product knowledge to assist growers with crop production.
The team focuses on keeping up to date on the latest research and assesses how new products and technological innovations can be applied to benefit New Zealand grown crops.
Catherine James
Technical Advisor - Pukekohe
Pukekohe
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Catherine joined the Fruitfed supplies technical team in 2020 after studying Agricultural science majoring in Horticulture at Massey university. She joined after working various roles with both glasshouse tomato, kiwifruit, and blueberry crops in the Pukekohe region. She works with key suppliers to run trials on a range of vegetable crops (onions, potatoes, brassicas and leafy greens) in order to provide our growers with the latest knowledge of products to suit their needs to grow the highest quality produce.
Chloe Hannah
Technical Advisor - Upper South Island
Tasman
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BSc and MAgSC
Chloe joined the technical team in 2019 having graduated from Massey University with a Bachelor of Science in Plant Science. From there she worked for three years in the viticulture industry in a technical role before returning to university to complete a Masters in Agricultural Science majoring in Pasture Science from Lincoln University receiving first class honours. Chloe has a passion for keeping up with the latest technical developments in the horticulture and agriculture industries as she recognises they are vital to the NZ economic success.
Elaine Gould
Technical Specialist - Subtropicals
National
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PhD
Elaine joined Fruitfed Supplies in September 2020 as the Technical Specialist in Subtropicals (kiwifruit, avocados, citrus and blueberries). Elaine has a passion for extending knowledge and information, providing staff and growers with knowledge to support growing their crop. Prior to Fruitfed Supplies, Elaine was an Innovation Leader at Zespri (Protect Supply) and before then a scientist at Plant and Food Research. Elaine originates from the UK and came over to New Zealand in 2001 after gaining her PhD in rodenticide resistance.
Gavin Subritsky
Technical Specialist - Horticultural Nutrition
National
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BAppSc (Agr) AARNe, NZARN
Gavin joined the Fruitfed Supplies technical team in 2011 and currently works as a technical specialist in horticultural crop nutrition. Having worked in the horticultural industry for the last 30 years, Gavin has extensive knowledge of crop nutrition specialising in fertiliser. He is especially interested in visiting growers and gaining an understanding of their crop nutrient requirements and presenting growers with new ways to help improve their productivity through sound nutrition advice.
Jon Peet
Technical Specialist - Viticulture
National
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BSc
Jon joined the Fruitfed Supplies technical team in late 2019 having spent six years as a viticulturist at Elephant Hill Winery in the Hawke’s Bay. Jon has spent 16 years working in the wine industry starting his own vineyard and wine business Ash Ridge Wines (which he later sold). Jon has qualifications in soil science and geography and prior to arriving in New Zealand spent 15 years working in agriculture and horticulture around the world. Jon’s passion is understanding the complex interactions between the vine, landscape and seasonal conditions that assist growers in producing the finest grapes and wines in New Zealand.
Vonny Fasi
R&D Manager
National
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BAgSci
Vonny joined the Fruitfed Supplies technical team in 2016 having graduated from Lincoln University in 2007 with a Bachelor of Agricultural Science Degree. After graduating Vonny worked at Lincoln University’s Foundation for Arable Research and Bayer Crop Science. While working at the Foundation for Arable Research completing dryland pasture and crop research, Vonny discovered her passion for the sector, in particular helping farmers find solutions to problems through the use of technical expertise.