Two men from Michigan are among 21 people recently named to the U.S. Apple Association’s Class of 2019 Young Apple Leaders.

Members of the group, including Jeremy Shank of Central Produce Sales of Dowagiac, Mich., and Kyle Rasch of Windy Ridge Orchards in Conklin, Mich., will join USApple leaders as they advocate on important issues affecting growers and the $15 billion per year apple industry.

The 2019 class will hit the ground running March 13 as part of USApple’s Capitol Hill Day. Joining USApple members from across the nation, the young leaders will meet with members of Congress to discuss issues affecting the future of the apple industry.

“The 2019 Young Apple Leaders’ class is the largest in USApple history, and the industry is fortunate to have so many bright young people who want to be involved,” says Jim Bair, president and CEO of USApple. “These young leaders are enthusiastic and eager to make a difference. Whether it is tariffs that are damaging our export markets, or the need for labor to harvest our crops, they understand what is being debated and decided in Washington today will have long-term implications for the next generation of apple producers, and they want to be in a position to help shape that policy.”

The Young Apple Leaders program is designed to equip the next generation of American apple growers and leaders with an understanding of federal regulatory and legislative apple issues and provides an opportunity to learn from peers and apple leaders from around the country.

Young apple growers and individuals in apple-related businesses who are at the start of their career through age 35 are eligible to participate. Now in its 10th year, the YAL program has been a success in grooming future leaders. Several past participants already have worked their way up through committees and onto the USApple Board of Directors.

Sponsors of the 2019 YAL program include California Apple Commission, Columbia Fruit Packers, Domex Superfresh Growers, Farm Credit East, Hudson River Fruit Distributors, Knouse Foods Cooperative Inc., Michigan Apple Committee, New York Apple Sales Inc., Ohio Apples Marketing Program, Northwest Farm Credit Services, Sage Fruit, Wilbur-Ellis and Yakima Fresh.

Source: USApple, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.