The annual Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty awards program celebrates individuals who are the next generation of leaders, representing the best in the industry. The following 40 honorees were selected because they are truly making, positive marks in our industry.

Join us in celebrating the Class of 2024 in person at the Great Lakes Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in December.

Thank you to Stoke Seeds for supporting this year’s 40 outstanding individuals by sponsoring this year’s Fruit + Vegetable 40 UNDER Forty awards.

• Class of 2018
• Class of 2019
• Class of 2020
• Class of 2021
• Class of 2022
• Class of 2023
• Class of 2024

Class of 2019

Alexander M. Duffy

Timac Agro USA

Amanda McWhirt

University of Arkansas

Amaya Atucha

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Andy Ferguson

Ferguson’s Orchards

Ann Swanson

Hendrick House

Ben Werling

Michigan State University Extension

Brandon W. Wade

Alma Nursery & Berry Farms

Cain Hickey

University of Georgia

Charlie Thompson

Illinois Foundation Seeds, Inc.

Chris Alpers

Red Path Orchards

Christopher Grant

New England Vegetable & Berry Grower’s Association

Colleen Forestieri

Van Buren Conservation District

Dale Woolf

Woolf Farms

Erin M. Lizotte

Michigan State University Extension

Gerrit Herrygers

Herrygers Farms LLC

Henry DeBlouw

Mike Pirrone Produce

Hillary Thomas

Naturipe Berry Growers, Inc.

Isaiah Soule Wunsch

Wunsch Farms

Jake Milarch

Truly Michigan Vines

James A. Stahl

Harvest Lane Farm

Jason Ruhlig

Ruhlig Farms

Jayesh B. Samtani

Virginia Tech

Jenna Oesch

Bayer Global Vegetable Seeds

Jeremy Coventry

Curtis Orchard and Pumpkin Patch

Jocelyn Bridson

Rio Farms

Julie Ann Bolyard

Appalachian Orchard Company

Justin Oomen

Oomen Farms/Crystal Valley Organics

Kristin Kubiszak

Brookside Farm

Kristin Oomen

Bejo Seeds Inc.

Matt Haak

Price Cold Storage & Packing Co.

Nancie Oxley

St. Julian Wine

Nate Wilson

Williams Orchards

Nicole Ward

Forgotten Ciders

Pat Whitwood

Seneca Vegetable Research, Inc.

Ricardo Hernandez

Grafted Growers LLC

Sarah Lott Zost

Bonnie Brae Fruit Farms

Stacey Mullen

The Berry Farm & Orchard

Stephen L. Meyers

Mississippi State University

Tom Heeman

North American Strawberry Growers Association

Will Bristol

Brookwood Fruit Farm