MAITLAND, Fla. – The Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association has announced the selection of its third class of up-and-coming agriculture industry leaders to participate in the Emerging Leader Development Program for 2013-2014.
They are Cathy Atchley of AgXplore, Ryan Atwood of Keyplex, Elton Baldy of Bayer CropScience, Daniel Cavazos of Veg Pro International, Sam Glucksman of Glades Crop Care, Jeff Goodale of Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Jamie Lang of Farm Credit of Central Florida, Arby Lipman of Lipman Produce, Clayton Norman of DuPont Crop Protection, Geoff Roe of Wm. G. Roe & Sons, Matt Stacey of Crop Production Services and Jordan Theis of Prudential Ag Investments.
The Emerging Leader Development Program develops leaders who are prepared with a depth of knowledge of issues facing agriculture. Graduates are equipped with the education and tools to improve the sustainability and economic viability of specialty crop agriculture. Program involvement also strengthens grassroots engagement in FFVA and other industry organizations.
Members of Class 3 will be introduced to specialty crop agriculture industry leaders when their program year kicks off at FFVA’s Annual Convention, set for Sept. 22-24 in Amelia Island.
“We’re so pleased with our third class,” said Sonia Tighe, who leads the program as executive director of the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. “It’s an outstanding group, and we’re looking forward to the activities of the coming year.”
The yearlong program includes meetings with legislators in Tallahassee, seminars provided by FFVA staff members and other experts on current issues, tours of venues to study environmental issues and water management, and visits to specialty crop production areas in Florida and California.
More information about FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program can be found on ffva.com.