Our Rising Agronomist
Updated: 2 hours ago
Passionate about vegetables, people, and everything that happens beneath the surface.
Those of you based in Pukekohe may have already spotted our youngest member of the Seed & Field agronomy team out and about. Meet Amanda Payne — bubbly, personable, and genuinely passionate about vegetables and the journey they take from paddock to plate.
Amanda joined Seed & Field after completing her Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University, and in just 10 months, she has already made significant strides in her agronomy career.
“I actually fell into the role,” she says. “I got an email from Massey about the opportunity. I’d always known I wanted to help growers rather than be a grower myself, so it felt like it was meant to be.”
Since joining the team, Amanda has worked closely alongside Brooke on crop trials and gained valuable hands-on experience. She has now developed her skills and confidence to take on her own responsibilities as part of the agronomy team, supporting growers across a range of crops.
While she works across multiple crop types, Amanda has a particular interest in root vegetables, especially potatoes and carrots. Lettuce and other leafy greens are also firm favourites.
Learning to Look Beneath the Surface
One of the biggest lessons Amanda has learnt so far is just how much goes into growing a successful crop.
“There are so many little things that can make a difference. Even something like how soft the seedbed is can affect everything. It’s a lot more complex than you might think.”
That complexity is part of what makes agronomy so interesting to her. A crop might look healthy above ground, but the real story can be very different beneath the surface.
“It’s not always obvious what’s going on. Sometimes crops look great on top, but there’s nothing happening underneath — or the other way around. You really have to dig deeper and think differently.”
For Amanda, the industry is about more than just understanding plants and soil. The relationships between growers and agronomists are just as important.
“People are everything in this industry. Having those connections is just as important as the knowledge. You learn from each other and support each other along the way.”
Since starting, she has been struck by the passion of the growers she works with.
“Everyone is so invested in what they do. No two growers are the same, but they’re all connected. I’ve loved seeing the behind-the-scenes side of things that I never knew about.”
Hands-On from Day One
One of Amanda’s highlights so far has been helping organise Seed & Field’s CropStock Field Day in February 2026.
From planning and establishing trials through to planting, spraying and hands-on tasks such as hand weeding, Amanda worked closely with Brooke and DeAdre to help bring the event together.
“It was a huge effort, but such a success. We had a great turnout, including other industry professionals, and it was awesome being able to showcase what we’d been working on.”
The variety trials were a particular highlight, giving growers valuable insights to help inform their planting decisions.
“Being able to contribute to something that growers can take away and use in their own businesses was really rewarding.”
Experiences like these have helped Amanda develop her practical knowledge while gaining a better understanding of the challenges growers face throughout the season.
Where It All Started
Amanda’s interest in horticulture really took off during university, thanks to two summer placements that gave her a taste of the diversity within the industry.
Her first role was with Gourmet Blueberries as an R&D student, where she gained experience across the nursery, harvest and packhouse. She also ran her own raspberry cross-breeding trial, carrying out daily hand pollination, plant care and fruit collection to assess the potential of a new variety.
The following summer, she joined T&G as a Graduate Field Technician. There, she worked with emerging AI technology to measure apples and track their growth throughout the season. She also investigated the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle on an orchard, looking at soil structure, Olsen P levels, flooding and silt cover.
“These experiences really opened my eyes to horticulture and everything that goes on behind the scenes. They played a big part in getting me interested in this field.”
From Orchard Life to Agronomy
Amanda’s connection to the primary sector began long before university. She grew up on an avocado orchard in Tauranga, where life revolved around the outdoors.
“We were always outside, close to the beach and just making the most of it.”
At 11, her family moved to Hawke’s Bay, where she attended Taradale High School and continued to develop her connection to the primary industries.
“It was a big change, but I made amazing friends and it really shaped who I am.”
Family remains an important part of Amanda’s life. She has a younger sister studying nursing and a brother still at school. Her mum, now an intermediate school teacher, retrained while Amanda was at university — a journey Amanda greatly admires — while her dad works in a senior role at Hastings District Council.
Life Outside of Work
Now based in Pukekohe, Amanda is enjoying the challenge and independence of living somewhere new.
“I’m used to being around friends and family all the time, so doing it on my own has been different — but really cool.”
A self-described social butterfly, Amanda loves spending time with friends and is a big fan of Super Rugby, particularly the Chiefs. It’s a passion she has shared with her dad since childhood.
One standout memory was attending the Super Rugby final for her 20th birthday — and even making it onto television!
When she’s not following rugby, Amanda enjoys getting stuck into a good romance novel, making the most of the outdoors when the weather is good, and trying new foods. Seafood is a particular favourite.
Looking Ahead
Over the next five years, Amanda hopes to continue developing her knowledge and experience and grow further into her role as an agronomist. Travel is also firmly on the wish list, with Europe — particularly Ireland — and Japan both high on her list.
For now, she’s focused on learning as much as possible, building strong relationships with growers and making the most of every opportunity that comes her way.
“I love that every day is different. You’re always learning, always solving problems — and that’s what makes it so rewarding.”
With her enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to get hands-on, Amanda is already building a strong foundation for a future in agronomy. We’re looking forward to seeing where the journey takes her!
Don't Forget — CropStock Is Back!
Join us on Wednesday 25 November, from 1pm to 5pm.
Come along to Seed & Field’s CropStock Field Day for an afternoon of practical insights, crop trials and good company.
We’ll be showcasing a range of chemical trials across potatoes, onions and brassicas, alongside spinach variety trials.
It’s a great opportunity to see what’s happening in the field, discuss results with the team, and connect with others across the industry.
We’ll have a BBQ, drinks and plenty of time to catch up and share ideas.
Mark your calendar and come along — we’d love to see you there! For more information { click here }