Cheers to a Decade of Building Future Ag Leaders
October 23, 2021 
Say hello to Class No. 10 of Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s Emerging Leader Development Program. The class graduated at FFVA’s annual convention in September.
Photo by Christina Morton
Since January, Sasha Burgin has left her family in Wauchula, FL, to participate in several production trips across Florida and California. She has watched an autonomous tractor in the field; met with a congresswoman; seen Lake Okeechobee by airboat; witnessed production practices for more than 20 crops; and the list goes on. Her five-year-old daughter Charlotte thinks she is going to school and that Sonia Tighe is her teacher.
“In a way, I am going to school and going to learn,” said Burgin.
It was all part of FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP). Burgin was one of 13 members selected for Class 10 in the fall of 2020 after a competitive application process.
After an FFVA 101 session in November, the class set out to view production of various crops across Hillsborough and Polk counties, the Tri-County Agricultural Area, South Florida, and the heart of California agriculture, Salinas Valley.
As the program marks its 10th year, we look back on a decade of building leaders, remembering the FFVA board’s critical role in its creation. In 2011, the board had the foresight to create a program that would identify and develop up-and-coming leaders to be strong advocates for Florida agriculture.
Administered by the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation, the Emerging Leader Development Program has provided more than 110 young leaders with an immersive experience on the many issues facing the industry and how to be leaders within FFVA.
“For Florida agriculture to continue to persevere into the future, a new generation of leaders has to be cultivated. We must recognize, nurture, and empower these selected individuals through leadership development opportunities,” said Drew Duda in 2011, who served as FFVA Chair at the time of the program’s creation.
Board member Paul Orsenigo echoed that sentiment in 2011, “FFVA would benefit from the service of the graduates through their future involvement in the association and beyond.”
Not surprisingly, that future involvement turned into reality last year for several young leaders when the board once again took action to further cement their engagement in FFVA by designating five seats for producer-member alumni.
Though 10 classes have now come and gone, one face has remained a constant: Sonia Tighe, Executive Director of the Foundation.
“I hope Sonia knows how much people really appreciate the dedication she puts in to make it what it has become,” said Rob Atchley, an ELDP alum from the first class.
“It is worth mentioning and appreciating what she does to put into it. It is a lot of coordination, and it is amazing how she pulls it off,” said Jennifer Schaal, an ELDP alum from Class 10.
Under Sonia’s leadership, ELDP class members have been afforded a tremendous opportunity, learning from key leaders about the most pressing issues in our industry and building lasting relationships.
And thanks to the many sponsors over the years, including current sustaining sponsor Corteva, who have made this program possible.