Potatoes New Zealand is profiling some of the amazing young people in the horticulture industry to demonstrate the diverse opportunities available and to encourage more people into this great sector.
We connected with Shelby Wilson from McCain Foods in Canterbury…
Shelby Wilson grew up in Middlemarch, Otago and worked as a shepherd on a sheep and beef station for two years after high school before going to Lincoln University and completing a Bachelor of Agriculture.
Since her university days, Shelby has worked in sheep and beef, dairy, and livestock services as well as doing a seeding season in Australia.
She joined McCain Foods at the end of last year as an Agronomist. Her role at McCain is very diverse, with each day bringing something new.
The role involves collaborating with the global McCain community, growers, the factory and other representatives and advisors in the industry. Shelby thoroughly enjoys getting out in the field to check out the crops and network with like-minded people.
Shelby says she sort of stumbled into the industry by chance. She was new to the area and was very keen to get into agronomy. The potato industry was not on her mind initially, since she had not been exposed to the industry previously.
Then the role at McCain came up, so she looked into the company and met some of the team. She said she felt they had the same values and goals as she did, and being keen for a challenge, she decided to go for the exciting opportunity, and she has not looked back. Shelby says, “I am very happy with how it all worked out!”
In terms of what Shelby enjoys about the potato industry – it is very close-knit industry, with collaboration between growers, processers and other industry representatives. The sector has a supportive network, which allows constant learning and growth opportunities.
Her friends would describe her as ‘easy going and down to earth’ and when it comes to free time, Shelby can be found in the outdoors, doing activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, boating. She also enjoys playing social sports like netball and touch rugby.
Her goals for the next five years include continuing to learn and grow in her role to be able to confidently support the McCain factory and growers as well as become a valued member of the potato industry.
Shelby’s closes the catch up with the following words, “coming in fresh into the industry, I am very thankful for how welcoming and kind everyone has been. I highly recommend a career in the potato/horticulture industry!”
