The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council announced in a news release the launch of a new program for up-and-coming leaders in the industry. The council will accept up to 10 industry professionals to become the first fellows in the Blueberry Industry Leadership Program. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 11. 

According to the release, the leadership program will begin in May and continue through August 2023. The program will take an interactive approach to leadership development through hands-on training, immersive learning experiences, engagement with key industry personnel and exposure to the many components of the produce supply chain. Fellows will participate both virtually and in person, traveling four times over the course of the curriculum, and a graduation ceremony is planned at the 2023 USHBC fall meetings. To offset expenses and material costs, fellows will be required to pay a $2,500 fee.

Applications will be reviewed and evaluated by the Blueberry Industry Leadership Program selection committee, which includes USHBC board members and industry representatives. Top candidates will be interviewed throughout April, and the selected fellows will be notified the week of May 2.

For more information and an application, go to: ushbc.blueberry.org/get-involved/industry-leadership-development-program.

—by Jonelle Mejica