The sixth Eastern Produce Council (EPC) Leadership Class got into the field and harvested during a tour of New Jersey farms on October 8, 2024. The group visited America's Grow-a-Row and the Clifford E. and Melda C. Snyder Research and Extension Farm at Rutgers University, both located in Pittstown, NJ.
Jess Huber and Tristan Wallack of America's Grow-a-Row explained the mission of the nonprofit operation, which includes 423 acres over four farm locations, in growing and donating fresh produce to feeding organizations across the country.
EPC Leadership Class harvests corn at America's Grow-a-Row.
After a brief overview of the farming operation from Wallack, the group headed out to the fields to harvest fresh corn. "We also like to talk about the servings," she said. "So the amount of people that we impacted is 22,400 people."
The second stop of the day was a visit to the 390-acre Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm. Peter Nitzsche, Morris County agricultural and natural resources agent, toured the class around the farm in a wagon ride, explaining the research projects underway. Current projects include soil conservation, butternut squash irrigation, strawberry cultivars, solar agrivoltaics, and biodegradable mulch.
The class tours research projects via wagon at the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm.
Megan Muehlbauer, Hunterdon County Agricultural and Natural Resources Agent explained two of her projects - one involving beach plums and the other of ongoing apple variety trials.
The day concluded with a leadership seminar from the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education. Patty Reger from PKR Consulting Group spoke to the group about leadership skills to build in 2024 and led them through a leadership exercise.
"Taking our participants out of the office and into the field gives them new and additional perspectives on the industry as well as their leadership development," said Susan McAleavey Sarlund, EPC Executive Director.
The EPC Leadership Program chooses up-and-coming produce professionals for each Leadership Class, a professional development experience for those with less than 10 years of experience in the industry. Participants selected for this year's program include: Jackson Brady, Crispy Green; Kate Degan, JOH; James Ferrier, organicgirl; Jessica Huber, America's Grow-a-Row; Devin Hunt, T.M. Kovacevich; Nick Kraus, MamaMia Produce; David Linthicum, Wakefern Food Corp.; Dustin Manento, Four Seasons Produce; Therese Mauch, Zespri; Chantal McCrossin, F&S Fresh Foods; Jason Morris, Oppy; Cassi Nicodemo, Highline Mushrooms; Ryan O'Neill, Four Seasons Produce; Michael Porcile, JOH; Jillian Rudolph, John Vena Inc.; and Jessica Ziglar, Oppy Transport.
Also participating in the tour were: Vic Savanello, VP, Merchandising & Business Development for S. Katzman Produce Distributors and a former EPC President; Al Murray, EPC Board Member; and Emma Rogerson of the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education.
For more information:
Susan McAleavey Sarlund
Eastern Produce Council
Tel: +1 (908) 723-0645
[email protected]
https://www.easternproducecouncil.com/