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Farm Foundation® Announces the 2022 Young Agri-Food Leaders
[FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE]
OAK BROOK, Ill. (April 6, 2022) – Farm Foundation®, an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, has announced its 2022 Young Agri-Food Leaders Network cohort. This annual program seeks to actively engage emerging leaders in food and agribusiness, from ages 25 to 40 years old, in a yearlong series of interactive learning and networking experiences, focused on gaining a deeper understanding of the food and agriculture value chain. The program also hopes to help young professionals build a strong, enduring network of peers in business, farming, and government.
Participants are sponsored to attend events, engage in virtual conversations, and participate in exclusive learning and networking opportunities. Each participant is also connected with a senior agri-food mentor to aid in career growth and development. Young Agri-Food Leaders participate in a variety of Farm Foundation programming, including the chance to attend at least one Farm Foundation Round Table meeting and join other events such as Farm Foundation Forums.
“Participants in the Young Agri-Food Leaders Network program have made durable connections with their peers and in the broader industry, leveraging their participation to deepen their engagement with the food and ag industries,” said Jenna Wicks, Farm Foundation’s program manager. “We anticipate this class will continue that dynamic and we could not be more excited.”
The 2022 Young Agri-Food Leaders are:
Sarah Coffman, Impact Agronomist, Vayda
A soil scientist by training with a passion for regenerative agriculture, Sarah Coffman is a believer in soil health management and sustainable practices that improve profitability and farmer livelihoods. As an impact agronomist with Vayda, her efforts are focused toward measuring the impact of regenerative practices for multiple stakeholders.
Rachel Daniels, Research and Development Food Scientist II, Tyson Foods
Rachel Daniels is passionate about educating consumers about their food supply, as well as encouraging students to pursue careers in the meat and food industry. She been a research and development food scientist II at Tyson Foods, since June 2019, working on Hillshire Farm-branded smoked sausage.
Wyatt Jones, Field Sales Representative, Bayer Crop Science
Wyatt Jones is a DEKALB Asgrow field sales representative for Bayer Crop Science. He grew up in South Salem, Ohio, where his interest in agriculture was cultivated through the Ohio 4-H and FFA programs.
Jonah A. Kalb, President, Moore & Warner Ag Group
Jonah Kolb leads the day-to-day operations of Moore & Warner Ag Group and works with private and institutional investors to build and manage direct farmland portfolios. He also advises start-ups, corporations, and investment funds pursuing opportunities in production agriculture and agribusiness.
Sarah Orban, Tactical Sales Coordinator, Deere & Company
Sarah Orban is a tactical sales coordinator for the western sales region of the United States at Deere & Company, a position she has held since November 2020. She is responsible for communication and logistics for internal John Deere employees and John Deere dealers across 17 states.
Dr. Shandréa Stallworth, Weed Scientist/Herbicide Biologist, Corteva Agriscience
Dr. Shandréa Stallworth joined Corteva Agriscience as a weed scientist/herbicide. In her work, she screens novel compounds for effective weed control and management. Her dissertation research focused on the screening and identification of abiotic stress tolerance in weedy rice.
Alex Quinones, Group Leader for Agriculture, Broadview Capital Holdings
Alex Quinones is the group leader for agriculture at Broadview Capital Holdings. He has over eight years of experience in commodity risk management and trading. He leads a team that is responsible for managing the firm’s agricultural commodity portfolio, trading futures and options in the grains, oilseeds, and livestock markets.
Learn more about the Young Agri-Food Leaders and the program at farmfoundation.org/programs-overview/young-agri-food-leaders-network.