December 2024 - 27

THE CLASS OF 2024
T
Annual awards program recognizes the next generation of leaders
Join us this December in celebrating the Class of 2024
he annual Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under Forty
awards program celebrates individuals who are
the next generation of leaders, representing the
best in the industry. The following 40 honorees were
selected because they are truly making positive marks
in our industry.
in person at the Great Lakes Vegetable & Farm Market
EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Thank you to Stoke Seeds for supporting this year's
40 outstanding individuals by sponsoring this year's
Fruit + Vegetable 40 UNDER Forty awards.
Aaron Cato
Fruit & Vegetable Extension Pest
Management Specialist, Assistant
Professor of Horticulture
University of Arkansas
By focusing on pest biology and life history, as well
as the ecology of Mid-South specialty crops, Aaron's
research program focuses on understanding the impact
of insect and disease pests on fruit and vegetable crops.
His main focus is on increasing grower profitability
while decreasing pesticide inputs.
Adam Constine
Territory Account Manager
Valent USA
Growing up on a row crop farm in
Central Michigan, Adam has always
had a deep passion for all things agriculture. After
receiving his bachelor's and master's degrees from
Michigan State University, Adam started his career with
Valent USA servicing and promoting crop protection
products and plant growth regulators, primarily focused
on Michigan's tree fruit industry. Adam resides in
Owosso, Michigan, with his wife Karlee.
Alicea Shukin
Horticulturist
Shukin Orchards
A fourth-generation cherry grower
who enjoys working alongside her
family farm in Creston, British Columbia, Alicea loves
being in an orchard and realizes it's something she never
wants to give up. Alicea has a degree in horticulture and
creates social media content showcasing the farm's
cherry growing.
Allison Hiller
Owner
Apple Barrel Orchards
Allison purchased her family-owned
farm in 2020, becoming the fourthgeneration
owner. She is the first woman in her family
to own the Penn Yan, New York, farm, which grows
fruit for u-pick, retail and wholesale markets. Allison's
entrepreneurial spirit and ability to adapt to changes
led her to take her farm's apples and ferment them into
cider. She oversees daily operations, including a newly
added cidery and tasting room.
Learn more about each honoree's accomplishments by visiting
fruitgrowersnews.com/40under40 and vegetablegrowersnews.com/40under40.

December 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of December 2024

Editor’s Letter
Talking Tech
Investing in your plant health
Watermelon tests
From farm to can
Cucumber powerhouse
Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
2025 VGN Buyers Guide
Veg Connections
Farm Market & Agritourism
Ag Labor Review
Business
Industry News
Events
Classifieds
Ad Index
December 2024 - 1
December 2024 - 2
December 2024 - 3
December 2024 - Editor’s Letter
December 2024 - 5
December 2024 - Talking Tech
December 2024 - 7
December 2024 - Investing in your plant health
December 2024 - 9
December 2024 - Watermelon tests
December 2024 - 11
December 2024 - 12
December 2024 - 13
December 2024 - From farm to can
December 2024 - 15
December 2024 - 16
December 2024 - 17
December 2024 - Cucumber powerhouse
December 2024 - 19
December 2024 - 20
December 2024 - 21
December 2024 - 22
December 2024 - 23
December 2024 - Maximizing crop yield, sustainability at the Great Lakes EXPO
December 2024 - 25
December 2024 - 26
December 2024 - Introducing the 40 Under 40 Class of 2024
December 2024 - 28
December 2024 - 29
December 2024 - 30
December 2024 - 31
December 2024 - 32
December 2024 - 33
December 2024 - 34
December 2024 - 2025 VGN Buyers Guide
December 2024 - 36
December 2024 - 37
December 2024 - 38
December 2024 - 39
December 2024 - 40
December 2024 - 41
December 2024 - 42
December 2024 - 43
December 2024 - 44
December 2024 - 45
December 2024 - 46
December 2024 - 47
December 2024 - 48
December 2024 - 49
December 2024 - 50
December 2024 - 51
December 2024 - 52
December 2024 - 53
December 2024 - Veg Connections
December 2024 - 55
December 2024 - Farm Market & Agritourism
December 2024 - 57
December 2024 - Ag Labor Review
December 2024 - 59
December 2024 - Business
December 2024 - 61
December 2024 - Industry News
December 2024 - Events
December 2024 - Classifieds
December 2024 - 65
December 2024 - Ad Index
December 2024 - 67
December 2024 - 68
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/buyersguide-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/seedguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/buyersguide-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/january-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/december-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/november-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/october-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/september-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/august-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/july-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/june-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/may-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/april-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/march-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/february-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/buyersguide-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/january-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/december-2019
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/october-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/september-2019
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https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/march-2019
https://www.nxtbook.com/greatamericanmediaservices/VGN/february-2019
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