In May we announced the 2026 Class of NextGen Fellows:
- Apolinar “Apol” Blanco – Sustainability, Social Responsibility & Food Safety Manager; Chelan Fresh (East Wenatchee, WA)
- Auna Lundberg – Sr. Marketing Manager; Stemilt Growers (Wenatchee, WA)
- Bryson Nix – Orchard Manager; Apple Wedge Packers & Cider (Hendersonville, NC)
- James Rowley – Farm Manager; Cherry Hill Farms (Santaquin, UT)
- Kelley Chase – Social Media Manager, Peach Ridge Orchard Supply; Legislative Aide, Michigan House of Representatives (Haslett, MI)
- Guadalupe “Lupe” Villasenor – Crop Insurance Agent; Insure.ag (Pasco, WA)
- Nettie Hurry – Sales & Product Development; Adams County Nursery (Aspers, PA)
- Nick Willett – Applications Manager; Gilbert Orchards (Yakima, WA)
- Scott Kneeland – Orchard Manager; Russell Farms Inc. (Appleton, NY)
- Stephanie Rojas, SHRM-CP – Human Resources Director; Taggares Fruit Company (Kennewick, WA)
With the help of the USApple NextGen Advisory Committee, each fellow went through an extensive application and interview process. We received many highly qualified candidates this year. The class kicked off the program virtually and will meet for the first time in-person for Outlook ’26 in Chicago. The class will culminate in March 2027 at Capitol Hill Day in D.C.