Stories about young growers
Anthony is an agricultural engineer who grew up in Washington’s Horse Heaven Hills then graduated from Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural engineering, specializing in machinery systems. He is the son of Rachelle and Jason Wiley.
Ben grew up outside Lincoln, Nebraska, and is a first-generation grower with a natural resources degree from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. He is the son of Mary and Bryan Heusinkvelt.
family background/Ella is a second-generation farmer who graduated from Washington State University with a degree in viticulture and enology. She is the daughter of Cindy and Mike Vincent.
family background/Adrian is a fifth-generation farmer pursuing a horticulture degree at Wenatchee Valley College. He has two brothers, John and Ian, and is the son of Diana and John Heffron.
family background/Viridiana is originally from Michoacán, Mexico, and grew up in Royal City. She is working on a degree at Wenatchee Valley College and is the daughter of Rafaela Saucedo and Leonardo Acevedo.
Daisy earned her bachelor’s degree in fruit and vegetable management at Washington State University and is a research assistant at Stemilt Growers in Wenatchee. She is the daughter of Teresa and Pedro Arias.
Thiago earned his horticulture degree from the University of Florida, a master’s degree at Penn State University and is working on his doctorate from Washington State University. He’s the son of Cecilia and Richard Campbell.
Brandt went to Albion College in Michigan and Trent went to Lourdes University in Sylvania, Ohio, both studying business. They are the sons of Mary Pat and Jim Swindeman.
Kai graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in horticulture and works at Northwest Wholesale and his family business. He has four siblings and is the son of Heather and Justin Jenks and grandson of John and Mary Jenks.
Devon grew up on a tree fruit farm, graduated from Washington State University with an integrated plant sciences degree and now works in the wine industry. He is married to Lauren Griffith and is the son of Heidi and Earl Griffith.
