Stories about young growers
Connor Duim, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Connor graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in sustainable agriculture. He’s the son of Sheryl and Mike Duim.
Jutsely Rivera, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
Jutsely is a second-generation farmer who earned an environmental studies and chemistry degree from Gonzaga University. She’s the daughter of Ana Valenzuela and Jose Rivera.
Johanny Castro Chinchilla, a young grower from San José, Costa Rica
Johanny grew up working on a coffee farm and earned a bachelor’s degree in agronomy and a master’s degree in crop protection from the University of Costa Rica. He’s the son of Marea Elisa Chinchilla and Gerardo Castro.
Desmond Samples, a young grower from Washington’s Tri-Cities area
Desmond is the first generation of his immediate family in agriculture and has been working at Fidélitas Wines while attending school at Washington State University. He is the son of Joella and Cedric Samples.
Kyle R. Benner, a young grower from Fairfield, Pennsylvania
Kyle is a fourth-generation grower, packer and shipper who returned to the farm about six years ago. He’s married to Kelli and is the son of Pam and Dave Benner.
Benjamin Keim, a young grower from Boyertown, Pennsylvania
Benjamin is a fifth-generation grower who graduated from Penn State University and is the past president of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania. He’s the son of Marie and Richard Keim.
Edgar Camacho, a young grower from Yakima, Washington
Edgar is a second-generation grower who earned an associate degree in business from Columbia Basin College. He is the son of Alma Rosa and Gustavo Camacho
Lorenzo Pacini III, a young grower from Ukiah, California
Lorenzo graduated from California Polytechnic State University with a degree in viticulture and grows Zinfandel in the Talmage Bench. He is the son of Lorie and Allen Pacini, and his family has been growing grapes in the Mendocino Valley since 1911.
Juan Munguía, a young grower from Mattawa, Washington
uan earned his bachelor’s degree in soil science from Oregon State University and is currently pursuing his graduate degree in horticulture. Juan is the son of Maria and Serafin Munguia.
Eleanor (Ellie) Rice, a young grower from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
Ellie is an eighth-generation grower who graduated from Juniata College with a major in community conflict and change, and she now manages her family company’s human resources department and H-2A program. She’s the daughter of Katherine and Mark Rice.