Nov 13, 2025Potato LEAF selects 2026 Leadership Institute class
The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has selected participants for its 2026 Leadership Institute class.
The 10-day program, to be held Feb. 18-27, participants will receive an overview of the local and national potato industry, including challenges and issues beyond the production sector. The class will also tour local agricultural businesses while traveling through Florida before continuing to Washington, D.C.
Participants will hear from public policy and communication experts and practice how to effectively deliver key messages before joining other growers from their state to share U.S. potato industry policy priorities with members of Congress.
Michael Rainis of Friehe Farms in Moses Lake, Washington, will serve as the Grower Leader elected from the 2025 class.
The 2026 Leadership Institute class:
- Lucy Gabrielse, Denver, Colorado
- Jacob Palmgren, Center, Colorado
- Fabian Quezada, Monte Vista, Colorado
- Tad Strohauer, La Salle, Colorado
- Samuel Belnap, Hamer, Idaho
- Brayden Jensen, Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Chad Searle, Burley, Idaho
- Brendan Blackstone, Caribou, Maine
- Gavin Hemphill, Presque Isle, Maine
- Jeff Haselhuhn, Johannesburg, Michigan
- Anthony Hart, Manhattan, Montana
- Shine Enander, Grenora, North Dakota
- Drew Carter, Gordon, Nebraska
- Kyle Stohs, Kearney, Nebraska
- Dale Fenters, Klamath Falls, Oregon
- Nathan Masser, Pitman, Pennsylvania
- Geordy Bryant Greene, Moses Lake, Washington
- Cody Kehl, Quincy, Washington
- Juan Martinez, Warden, Washington
- Emily Merk, Connell, Washington
- Connor Olsen, Othello, Washington
- Dan Wooten, Kennewick, Washington
- Kyra Bula, Grand Marsh, Wisconsin
- Christine Lindner, Friesland, Wisconsin
