Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation
Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation
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  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Board of Directors
    • Founders Society
    • Annual Donors
    • Contact Us
  • Leadership Development
    • Leadership Institute
  • Scholarship
    • Scholarship Application
    • 2023 Scholarship Winner
    • 2022 Scholarship Winner
    • 2021 Scholarship Winner
    • 2020 Scholarship Winner
  • At Potato Expo
    • Expo Events
    • Potato LEAF Auction
  • Contribute
  • Newsroom
    • Press Releases
    • Contact Us

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Overview

 The Potato Industry Leadership Institute brings together outstanding potato growers and industry representatives for eight days of training and professional development. The annual program is held in February with activities in a potato growing region and Washington, D.C.


Participants will receive an overview of the local and national potato industry, including some of the challenges and issues beyond the production sector along with tours of local agricultural businesses. 


Attendees will then travel to Washington, D.C, and hear from public policy and communication experts and practice how to effectively deliver key messages. Participants join other growers from their state to educate members of Congress on the U.S. potato industry and policies impacting it.


The 2024 Leadership Institute will be held February 21 - March 2, 2024 beginning in the state of Idaho and ending in Washington, D.C.


 Participation is limited to individuals residing in the United States. 


For questions about the program email us at info@pleaf.org.  

Apply Now - Applications being accepted through Oct. 20, 2023

2024 Agenda Overview

Feb. 21 - Travel to Boise, Idaho

Feb. 22 - Kickoff of training and traveling through Idaho production areas

Feb. 23 - Tours of agricultural production and potato processing facilities

Feb. 24 - Travel to Washington, D.C. - monument tour

Feb. 25 - Leadership and communication training

Feb. 26 - Leadership and communication training

Feb. 27 - Communication and media training

Feb. 28 - Issue training

March 1 - Congressional visits with state organizations, program celebration

March 2 - Travel home


2023 Class Roster

2023 Participants

2023 Participants

2023 Participants

• Thomas Baker , Bakersfield, CA

• Chelsea Gray, Denver, CO

• Trey Jones, Blanca, CO

• Kelci Martinez, Monte Vista, CO

• Brogan Darrington, Declo, ID

• Dalan Lerwill, Albion, ID

• Luke Radford, Rupert, ID

• Danny Deprey, Mars Hill, ME

• Kenneth Irving, Caribou, ME

• Eric Makarewicz, Elmira, MI

• Ryan Pelletier, McMillan, MI

• Aaron Groves, Jackson, MO

• Ben De Jonge, Manhattan, MT

• Nick Desautel, Grafton, ND

• Cole Vculek, Crete, ND

• James Farris, Culver, OR

• Bryan Bender, Chambersburg, PA

• John Scheuring, Dalhard, TX

• Chad Sullivan, Pasco, WA

• Paul Yamane, Moses Lake, WA

• Nicola Carey, Bancroft, WI

• Lucas Schroeder, Antigo, WI

2023 Participants

2023 Participants

 The 10-day program began on Feb. 22 in Buffalo, New York, and participants traveled through New York and Pennsylvania and finished in Washington, D.C., where they took part in the NPC Washington Summit. 

Read their biographies

What people are saying about the Potato Industry Leadership Institute

  

“It’s a great investment in you. It’s a great investment in your community that you’re going to take these skills back to and it’s a great opportunity to meet some other wonderful people in the potato industry.” Laurie Widdowson, CSS Farms, LLC, Kearney, NE


“Seeing how important the program is to the industry was a big take home for me. To encourage people to go talk to their senators and representatives. To teach them, to give them the tools to do it well and it’s very important for our future as an industry.” Jolynn Rasmussen, J.R. Simplot, Boise, ID 


“It’s easy to get laser focused on your local industry and company. PILI allowed me to see the bigger picture and meet some amazing current and future potato industry leaders. Networking during our travels from coast to coast, touring multiple operations , professional business training, and  educating Capitol Hill on the industry, sums up the experience of a lifetime!”

Mike Phillips, Walther Farms, Three Rivers, MI


“Regardless of your age or level of leadership experience, anyone will benefit from the PILI program. As one of the oldest to participate, I learned a whole new level of leadership skills. Not to mention the incredible opportunity to form new acquaintances and friendships that will last a lifetime.” Byron Duffin, Brand President, Double L


“This program has opened so many doors for me. It has helped me understand that we are a part of something so much bigger.”  Cliff Shaw, Farm Fresh Direct of America, Monte Vista, CO 

Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation

50 F Street NW Suite 900, Washington, DC 20001, US

(202) 682-9456

Copyright © 2023 Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation - All Rights Reserved.