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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.