Stories about young growers
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 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 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 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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
Aylin is a first-generation farmer, graduated from Washington State University and obtained a master’s degree from University of Washington. She is the daughter of Sandra Espinoza and Hugo Moreno.
