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Harrison Van Meekeren, a young grower from Lakeville, Nova Scotia
family background / Harrison grew up in the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia and is
Ryan Johnson, a young grower from Harrah, Washington
family background/Ryan is an operations manager at the nursery. He grew up working various jobs
Roland Markgraf, a young grower from Kelowna, British Columbia
family background / Roland will be graduating from University of British Columbia with a degree
Nereyida Ponce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
family background/Nereyida grew up on her family’s farm growing Concord grapes. She is pursuing her
Dan Norman, a young grower from Sparta, Michigan
family background/ Dan is a first-generation tree fruit grower who wants to build on the
Michelle Cortens, a young grower from Kentville, Nova Scotia, Canada
family background/Michelle is the first generation in her family in agriculture. She grew up in
Flor Maldonado, a young grower from Tonasket, Washington
family background / Flor grew up on farms, since she was a small child, helping
Devyani Isabel Gupta, a young grower in Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Devyani, a past recipient of the Walter J. Clore Scholarship, obtained a
Matt Duke, a young grower in Yakima, Washington
family background/Matt is the first generation of his family to work in agriculture. He has
Madeleine van Roechoudt, a young grower from Lake Country, British Columbia
family background/ Madeleine continues a multigenerational farm that began north of Kelowna in 1949. The
Guilherme Fontanella Sander, a young grower from Vale do Sol, Brazil
family background / Guilherme grew up working alongside his father Renato and mother Edna at
Steven Murray Jr., a young grower from Bakersfield, California
family background / Steven has helped change Murray Family Farms’ business, adding farm markets and
Elizabeth Bourcier, a young grower from Walla Walla, Washington
family background / Elizabeth studied winemaking and viticulture at Walla Walla Community College and California
Nick Anderson, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
family background/ Nick graduated from Columbia Gorge Community College, married Annabeth and has a young
Bruno Simpson, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Bruno is the third generation of Waimea Nurseries and has been elected
Kyle Ardiel, a young grower from Thornbury, Ontario
family background/ After growing up on the family farm, Kyle earned a business degree working
Yvette Jones, a young grower from Nelson, New Zealand
family background / Yvette grew up traveling around the globe with parents David and Fiona
Conor Kilian, a young grower from Sunnyside, Washington
family background / Conor grew up in a large Yakima Valley farming family growing juice
Trent Graybill, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
family background / Trent is a first-generation farmer who started growing cherries alongside his wife,
Tony Guisto, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
family background/Tony grew up in a logging family in Oregon’s Hood River Valley, headed by
Oliver May, a young grower from Alderdale, Washington
family background/ Oliver started farming at age 27 with his parents, Milo and Kay May,
John Grubb, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background/ John is a fourth-generation cherry grower who pursued degrees in sustainable agriculture, integrated
Conner Sullivan, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
family background / Conner along with his cousin Clint Sullivan started their business after growing
Anel Dorantes, a young grower from Tieton, Washington
family background / Anel grew up on her father’s farm with five younger brothers and
James Bukovinsky, a young grower working in Benton City, Washington
family background / James grew up in Woodinville, Washington, and earned an environmental science degree
Devon Wade, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
family background / After serving several tours overseas in the U.S. Army, Devon joined his
Tarrah Te Velde, a young grower from Cashmere, Washington
family background/Tarrah works with her mother Michelle Te Velde on their family pear orchard that
Tim Akita, a young grower from Dallesport, Washington
Tim is a fourth-generation farmer who works both as a chiropractor in The Dalles, Oregon, and runs the family farm that his great-grandfather, Nobuhei Akita, started in 1931.
Craig Harris, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
family background / Craig is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from Whitworth College. He grew
Alfredo Reyes, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background / Alfredo was born in Mexico and grew up in Wenatchee with four
Glade Brosi, young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background / Glade is originally from Kentucky and joined Stemilt in 2011 with a
Derric Kirschenmann, a young grower from Shafter, California
Derric decided to work alongside his family over a decade ago to grow the business north of Bakersfield.
Kelsey Twitchell, a young grower from Dryden, Washington
Kelsey’s family farm is nestled in the hills of Washington’s upper Wenatchee Valley, where they grow fresh market pears.
Brett Grobe, a Young Grower from Elyria, Ohio
family background / Brett is a sixth-generation fruit and vegetable grower in northern Ohio near
Lacey Lybeck, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
family background/ Lacey grew up working alongside her family on their farm Hulbert Farms and
Dillon Luebber, a young grower from Malaga, Washington
family background / Dillon was raised southeast of Wenatchee, Washington, along the Columbia River by
Alfredo Jeronimo, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
Alfredo grew up working in orchards alongside his father. After starting a family, Alfredo followed his interests in the packing side of the industry and is currently pursuing goals in orchard management.
Chris Oakes, Young Grower from Lyndonville, New York
family background/ Chris is a fourth-generation farmer who works with many of his relatives along
Ariane Stechmann, Young Grower from Hamburg, Germany
family background / Ariane is the oldest of four siblings who make up the family’s
Nick Ferrari, Young Grower from Linden, California
family background/ Fourth-generation farmer in the San Joaquin Valley. Nick has volunteered with several young
Jesus Ramos, Young Grower from Royal City, Washington
family background/ Jesus, son of Javier and Irma Ramos, is the first in his immediate
Pierre Paradis, Young Grower from Silverton, Oregon
family background / Pierre is the son of Peter and Donna Paradis, who were among
Monica Libbey, Young Grower from Manson, Washington
family background/ Both sides of Monica’s family have long histories farming in the Chelan Valley,
Jared Gidley, Young Grower from Parkdale, Oregon
Jared is a first-generation farmer who worked several orchard jobs growing up in Parkdale, Oregon.
Devon Newhouse, Young Grower from Sunnyside, Washington
Devon’s family started out raising cattle in the Yakima Valley, then moved into hops, tree fruit and grapes.
James Claar Whitelatch, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
James manages the wine grape crops on the family’s estate in the White Bluffs region of central Washington. He works alongside his brother John, and parents, Bob and Crista Whitelatch.
Suzanne Niemann, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
family background / Suzanne’s love of agriculture grew out of her interest in the sciences.
Neil Garrison, a young grower from Sunnyside, Washington
family background / Neil studied business and worked with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Paul Bavaro, a young grower from Escalon, California
Paul is a fourth-generation peach grower who’s been working with his father, Frank, on mechanization trials to help reduce labor costs and improve fruit quality.
Eladio Gonzales, a young grower from Selah, Washington
Eladio, a second-generation farmer from the upper Yakima Valley, worked alongside his father, Miguel Gonzales, in orchards and now manages several test orchards in Naches, Washington.
Nick Mackay, a young grower from Pasco, Washington
After originally pursuing a degree in history and law, Nick pursued a more hands-on career through Washington State University’s viticulture program.
Mike McLaren, a young grower from Salem, Oregon
Mike is a first-generation grower who pursued a degree in winemaking before getting his start working in wine sales, distribution and learning to make wine at Corliss Estates
Joe Brandt, a young grower from Wapato, Washington
Joe returned to the 1,500-acre family farm after working in finance and manages domestic and export sales and marketing for the company.
Ryan Bond, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Ryan is a second-generation grower managing about 800 acres, primarily consisting of cherry and pear trees in The Dalles and south through Dufur into the Tygh Valley.
Roger Hudson, a young grower from Sanger, California
Roger is a sixth-generation grower of about 180 acres of tree fruit.
Sierra Williams, a Young Grower from Cedaredge, Colorado
Sierra, a fifth-generation tree fruit grower, is one of three siblings and is the daughter of Dan and Connie Williams.
Catherine Kiyokawa, a Young Grower from Parkdale, Oregon
Catherine is a fourth-generation farmer. Her grandfather, Mamoru Kiyokawa, started growing tree fruit on the farm. Catherine works closely with her father, Randy, and older brother Cameron.
Nick Plath, a young grower from George, Washington
grower / George, Washington
age / 26
crops / Apples, cherries, and wine grapes
business / Washington Fruit
Jake Robison, a Young Grower from Chelan, Washington
Jake is a fourth generation farmer who grows tree fruit on 120 acres. He’s the son of Dave and Karla Robison and nephew to Allen Robison.
Brett Valicoff, a Young Grower from Wapato, Washington
Brett Valicoff is a fourth-generation grower who returned to the farm to help plan and build a modern apple packing line in Wapato, Washington.
Andy Smith, a Young Grower from Poplar Grove, Illinois
Andy Smith, from Edwards Apple Orchard, talks with Good Fruit Grower about how his family grew the business from a small farm market to one of the most popular farm destinations in the Midwest.
Manuel Martinez Jr., a Young Grower from Royal City, Washington
Four months out of Wenatchee Valley College, Manuel talks with Good Fruit Grower about why he pursued a career in farming and orchard management.
Daniel Bays, a Young Grower from Westley, California
Daniel Bays is a fifth generation farmer talks with Good Fruit Grower about how the farm is dealing with drought and the possible transition to mechanized harvesting.
Evan Kruse, Young Grower from Roseburg, Oregon
Evan, a fourth generation grower who also manages a large farm market, Kruse Farms, talks with Good Fruit Grower about growing in Roseburg.
Nick Hammond, Young Grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Nick Hammond, a Young Grower from The Dalles, Oregon talks about why he is a cherry farmer and about working toward a pedestrian style orchard system.
Chelsea Durfey, Young Grower from Sunnyside, Washington
I’ve had so many mentors... They’ve taught me about pruning, soil biology, bees, products, and applications, and there’s so much yet for me to learn.
Pedro Cuevas Jr., Young Grower from Royal City, Washington
grower / Royal City, Washington
age / 25
crops / Cherries, apples
business / Part owner of Rancho
Sean Tudor, Young Grower from Grandview, Washington
grower / Grandview, Washington
age / 28
crops / Apples, cherries, wine and juice grapes
business / Owner
Marcus Morgan, Young Grower from The Dalles, Oregon
grower / Marcus Morgan, 36, The Dalles, Oregon. (with Miss Blue)
crops / Cherries
business / Orchard
Leah Eddie, Young Grower from Grandview, Washington
grower / Grandview, Washington
age / 24
crops / Apples, cherries and juice grapes
business / Fieldman for
Calvin Mercer, Young Grower from Alderdale, Washington
grower / Alderdale, Washington
age / 36
crops / wine grapes
business / Austin Sharp Vineyards
other experience /
Steven Thompson and Kris Fade, Young Grower from Mosier, Oregon
grower / Mosier, Oregon and White Salmon, Washington
age / Fade (30) and Thompson (42)
crops /
Blake Slaybaugh, Young Grower from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
grower / Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
age / 20
crops / apples, peaches
business / Mt. Ridge Farms
other experience /
Lisa Perry, Young Grower from Odell, Oregon
age / 26
crops / pears, apples, cherries, berries, peaches, nectarines
business / Cody Orchards and Farm
Sean Gilbert, Young Grower from Yakima, Washington
age / 34
crops / Apples, cherries, apricots, peaches, nectarines and wine grapes
title / General
Alex Chinchiolo, Young Grower from Ripon, California
age / 28
crops / Apples, cherries
title / Partner, farm manager
business / River Bend Orchards
education /
Jessica & Sara Ecker, Young Growers from Trempealeau, Wisconsin
ages / (Jess, on left in photo) 33, (Sara, on right in photo) 30
crops /
Kevin & Mark Stennes, Young Growers from Pateros, Washington
Stennes twins talk about growing organics tree fruit operation.
David Alvarez, Young Grower from Prosser, Washington
age / 28
crops / Organic cherries and apples
title / Farm manager
business / Adolfo Alvarez Farm
Peter Martini, Young Grower from Escalon, California
age / 37
crops / Peaches and almonds
title / Farm manager
business / Martini Farms, LLC. Peter
Bill Schultz, Young Grower from Mattawan, Michigan
age / 32
crops / apples, cherries, peaches, grapes, asparagus, and sweet corn
business / Schultz Fruitridge
Curtis Roy, Young Grower from Moxee, Washington
age / 24
crops / manages cherry and apple orchards
business / Roy Farms. Curtis is part
Kevin VerSnyder, Young Grower from Lake Leelanau, Michigan
Michagan grower talks about holding down a full-time job while operating his orchard.
Kate Moser, Young Grower from Walnut Grove, California
age / 33
crops / wine grapes, 200 acres in apples, 100 acres pears,
business / Darsie,
Sean & Joe Naumes, Young Growers from Medford Oregon
growers / Medford, Oregon
(Sean, left) age / 24
crops / Pears and vineyard
education / Santa Clara
Ryan Swanson, Young Grower from Nova Scotia
Ryan Swanson/ grower / Centreville, Nova Scotia, Canada
age / 37
crops / More than 130 acres
Bryan Mrachek, Young Grower, March 1, 2014
Bryan Mrachek / grower / Malaga, Washington
age / 27
family farm / Lucky Bohemian Farms, which is
Sarah Adams, Young Grower, Feb. 15, 2014
Sarah Adams / grower / Delhi, California
age / 31
business / Warda Farms
family farm / Susan
Tyler Harlington, Young Grower Feb. 1, 2014
Q: Did you always want to be a farmer?
I wanted to be a lawyer. I
Boone Davis, Young Grower Jan. 15, 2014
Q: What attracted you to farming?
My great-grandfather was one of the early pear farmers in
Gabe Dahle, Young Grower Jan. 1, 2014
Q: What attracted you to farming?
I was raised on a farm. At first I didn’t