Washington – The Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation (Potato LEAF) has announced the 2025 class of the potato industry’s Leadership Institute.
Over the 10-day program, Feb. 19-28, participants will receive an overview of the local and national potato industry, including some of the challenges and issues beyond the production sector, along with tours of local agricultural businesses while traveling through Wisconsin before continuing to Washington, D.C.
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 includes:
- Kyle Beiriger, Mosca, Colo.
- Helen Smith, DelNorte, Colo.
- 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, Ind.
- Matthew McKenna, Washburn, Maine
- Brice Walther, Schoolcraft, Mich.
- Alexandra Bare, Halsta, Minn.
- Stephen Hovan, Ronan, Mont.
- Landon Thomson, Grand Forks, N.D.
- Chris Gibson, Alliance, Neb.
- Michael Murphy, Malone, N.Y.
- Nick Vincent, Boardman, Ore.
- Travis Hahn, Bath, Penn.
- Jordan Erickson, Eltopia, Wash.
- Athena Gates, Eltopia, Wash.
- Michael Rainis, Moses Lake, Wash.
- Erin Meister, Plover, Wisc.
- Natalie Nesburg, Madison, Wisc.
- Matthew Young, Rhinelander, Wisc.
Colin Szawlowski of Valley Spud in Hadley, Mass. – a 2024 graduate of the program – will travel join the group serving as the Grower Leader elected from the previous year. Szawlowski will further develop his leadership skills as he serves in this role and leads the class in their trainings.