Celebrating The Class Of 2013 Young Apple Leaders
May 6, 2013 Five years ago, I began seeing that the “next generation” of apple growers, packers, marketers, and others in the apple industry were choosing a future in their family operations, reversing a trend from the late 1990s that lasted well into the 2000s. I increasingly saw members of our industry in their 20s and 30s at meetings, on orchard visits, and at Extension events. In Pennsylvania, they even organized themselves into the Young Grower Alliance to meet each other and share information on common issues. Other states followed.
These men and women are smart, articulate, eager for information and connections, and highly motivated to adopt new technologies and try different approaches. They are on-the-go multitaskers who get much of their information instantaneously through electronic media. These young people will be the future decision makers in their apple businesses, their local communities, on state apple boards, and at USApple. Their decisions will greatly influence future profitability and opportunity for apples and apple products.
These young members of the U.S. apple industry are the leaders of tomorrow.
Recognizing this, four years ago USApple launched a new leadership development program for young men and women in the apple industry. The Young Apple Leader Program was born.
The 2013 Class of Young Apple Leaders met in late March in Washington, DC. They attended USApple’s Legislative Briefing Breakfast and talked to their Members of Congress and staff about the need for agricultural labor reform and a new Farm Bill with programs to increase apple competitiveness and lower costs. The Young Apple Leaders joined USApple committee meetings and heard national political speakers discuss prospects for immigration reform, reducing the federal deficit, and how Congress can work together more effectively for the good of the country.
Making A Difference
Members of this year’s Class of Young Apple Leaders were Travis Bratschi (Bratschi Orchards, MI), Allen Grobe (Grobe Fruit Farm, OH); Matthew Haak (Price Cold Storage and Packing, WA), Charles Hurd (MG Hurd & Sons, NY); Jamie Kober (Riveridge, MI), Lindsey Morrison (Columbia Fruit Packers, WA), Christopher Oakes (LynOaken Farms, NY); Maggie Travis (Bear Mountain Orchards, PA), Peter Rogers (Rogers Orchards, CT), Chris Vodraska (Rittman Orchards, OH), and Rachel Wenger (Weaver’s Orchard, PA).
USApple congratulates the 2013 Class of Young Apple Leaders. Each Young Apple Leader demonstrated an eagerness to get involved and learn about national issues. They engaged with their peers and interacted with members of the USApple Board of Directors and committee members. As in past years, these Young Apple Leaders were highly effective on Capitol Hill, where Members of Congress and their staff could see their enthusiasm and drive to support the apple industry.
The Young Apple Leader Program is made possible with support from sponsors who fund the program. In your industry dealings, please remember the following individuals and companies who supported the leadership development of the next generation of our industry: Bob Smith, Farm Credit East; Ken Guise, Knouse Foods Cooperative; Diane Smith, Michigan Apple Committee; Kaari Stannard, New York Apple Sales; Jeff Fagg, Northwest Farm Credit Services; Bill Dodd, Ohio Apple Marketing Program; and Tom Stokes, Tree Top, Inc.
The goal of USApple’s Young Apple Leader Program is to equip the next generation of American apple growers and leaders with an understanding of how federal, regulatory, and legislative issues directly affect their apple business, and to provide an opportunity to learn from peers and apple leaders from around the country.
The Young Apple Leader program provides orientation, understanding, and encouragement on public policy issues affecting the apple business. It is designed to foster fellowship and cooperative working relationships across U.S. apple growing regions through discussions about key apple industry issues, trends, research, and other activities. Importantly, it also identifies and develops future leaders for the apple industry.
Young apple growers who are at the start of their career through approximately age 35 are eligible to participate. Young growers also involved in apple packing, shipping, sales, and marketing are encouraged to join the program. Each class of Young Apple Leaders includes members from diverse apple-producing states.
At least 10 young growers from the apple industry are selected to participate each year in the Young Apple Leader program. They attend USApple’s annual Capitol Hill Day and the Association’s other apple meetings in Washington, DC, in late March. Two are invited from each of the major apple producing states/regions upon selection by USApple Board members representing those areas.
If you are interested in becoming a Young Apple Leader, or know someone who would be a strong candidate, applications for the 2014 Class of Young Apple Leaders will be available in October. For more information or to obtain an application, contact Jessa Allen, USApple’s Director of Membership-Communications, at [email protected] or 800-781-4443.
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