Blueberry councils hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence
Joe Vargas has been hired as the director of business intelligence for the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) and North
Connor Duim, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Connor graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in sustainable agriculture. He’s the son of Sheryl and Mike Duim.
Jutsely Rivera, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
Jutsely is a second-generation farmer who earned an environmental studies and chemistry degree from Gonzaga University. She’s the daughter of Ana Valenzuela and Jose Rivera.
Wafla hires CEO, communications director
Wafla, a nonprofit farm labor association based in Lacey, Washington, has named Enrique “Rick” Gastelum as its new chief executive
Wendy Powers named WSU ag dean
Wendy Powers Wendy Powers of the University of California has been named the next dean of Washington State University’s College
CIAB names Heather Weber new executive director
The Cherry Industry Administrative Board (CIAB), the tart cherry industry’s federal marketing order, has named Heather Weber as its new
Johanny Castro Chinchilla, a young grower from San José, Costa Rica
Johanny grew up working on a coffee farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop protection from the University of Costa Rica. He’s the son of Marea Elisa Chinchilla and Gerardo Castro.
Desmond Samples, a young grower from Washington’s Tri-Cities area
Desmond is the first generation of his immediate family in agriculture and has been working at Fidélitas Wines while attending school at Washington State University. He is the son of Joella and Cedric Samples.
Bruce Hollabaugh: 1980–2022
Pennsylvania grower leaves a lasting legacy.
Kyle R. Benner, a young grower from Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Kyle is a fourth-generation grower, packer and shipper who returned to the farm about six years ago. He’s married to Kelli and is the son of Pam and Dave Benner.