Next Generation
Young Agri-Food Leaders Program
This program seeks to actively engage emerging leaders in food and agribusiness.
The 2023 Young Agri-Food Leaders Cohort
Kellie Adesina
Director of Federal Government Affairs,
Kraft Heinz
Amanda Bittner
Senior NAM Oilseeds Analyst and
Lead Analyst for Global Soy Research,
Louis Dreyfus Company
Gina Cox
Carbon Customer Success Lead,
Indigo Ag, Inc.
Trista Danos
Global Sr. Retail Food Safety Analyst,
Whole Foods Market
Kasey Garrett
Owner,
Aqua Irrigation Technologies, LLC
Christian Horn
Associate,
Cultivian Sandbox/Sandbox Sustainability Ventures
Ryan Locke
Director of Sustainability Partnerships
and Business Development
Nutrien Ag Solutions
Micah Mensing
Customer Education Manager,
Farm Credit Mid-America
Richard Preisser
Research and Development Manager,
Smithfield Foods
About the Program
This program seeks to actively engage emerging leaders in food and agribusiness, from ages 25-40 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.
Nomination Timeline
In general, the nomination window for the upcoming Young Agri-Food Leaders cohort opens in February. Please follow Farm Foundation’s social media channels ( especially LinkedIn and Facebook) for the latest details on upcoming nomination windows.