Grower Guidance / Northland: Karen Pickford
Northland: Karen Pickford
My involvement with horticulture started in 1978 when my husband and I purchased bare land in Katikati and developed a 4.5 canopy hectare kiwifruit orchard. We also built and operated Birchwood Packhouse for 20 years.
I started at Birchwood as financial administrator and later on became the General Manager. During my time at the packhouse I was involved in several industry groups:
- Re-write the Zespri Quality Manual
- Dry Matter Advisory Group
- Gold Product Group
- Gold Growers Group
- Director G6 Kiwi
Currently we are growing in Maungatapere, Northland. We have Hayward and Sungold kiwifruit plus avocados and tamarillos.
I believe that my role at NZKGI is to defend the pools. I have an interest in dry matterand TZG payments, fruit standards and local issues.