Potato LEAF names 2025 Leadership Institute participants
Two dozen participants have been selected for the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation’s 2025 Leadership Institute
The 10-day program, set for Feb. 19-28, will provide participants with an overview of the local and national potato industry, including challenges and issues beyond the production sector. The class will also tour agricultural businesses while traveling through Wisconsin before continuing to Washington, D.C.
Colin Szawlowski of Valley Spud in Hadley, Massachusetts, a 2024 program graduate, will serve as the group Grower Leader, elected from the previous year. Photo courtesy of Potato LEAF.
Additionally, participants will hear from public policy and communication experts and practice how to effectively deliver key messages. Finally, the class will join other growers from their state to educate members of Congress on U.S. potato industry policy priorities.
The 2025 Leadership Institute Class:
- Kyle Beiriger, Mosca, Colorado
- Helen Smith, DelNorte, Colorado
- Adam Koch, St. Ansgar, Iowa
- Ryan Christensen, Grace, Idaho
- Kristen Forster, Delco, Idaho
- Andrew Mickelsen, Roberts, Idaho
- Cameron Skeen, Fruitland, Idaho
- William Toevs, Aberdeen, Idaho
- Damon Wall, Indianapolis, Indiana
- Matthew McKenna, Washburn, Maine
- Brice Walther, Schoolcraft, Michigan
- Alexandra Bare, Halsta, Minnesota
- Stephen Hovan, Ronan, Montana
- Landon Thomson, Grand Forks, North Dakota
- Chris Gibson, Alliance, Nebraska
- Michael Murphy, Malone, New York
- Nick Vincent, Boardman, Oregon
- Travis Hahn, Bath, Pennsylvania
- Jordan Erickson, Eltopia, Washington
- Athena Gates, Eltopia, Washington
- Michael Rainis, Moses Lake, Washington
- Erin Meister, Plover, Wisconsin
- Natalie Nesburg, Madison, Wisconsin
- Matthew Young, Rhinelander, Wisconsin