Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources Opens Nominations for Class XIII
The UF/IFAS Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) is soliciting nominations for Class XIII of its two-year leadership development program.
Utilizing 11 multi-day seminars throughout Florida, the United States and internationally, WLIANR develops leaders to ensure a strong and adaptable Florida agriculture and natural resources industry for generations to come. WLIANR prepares leaders to assume greater responsibilities in their organizations, industries, and communities; create strategic alliances to build strong networks; analyze complex issues to influence constructive change through policy formation and to develop a better understanding of self and others, as well as the diverse communities in which we live and work.
To be eligible for consideration, nominees must:
- be at least 25 years old by the application deadline of May 15, 2026;
- have resided in Florida for a minimum of one year;
- receive a substantial portion of their income from Florida agriculture, natural resources and/or related industries;
- and demonstrate strong leadership potential.
Self-nominations are accepted. Nominations close May 1 and completed applications are due no later than May 15. Class XIII will begin in Gainesville in November 2026. To submit a nomination, visit wedgworthleadership.com.
Administered by University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) and housed in the UF Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, WLIANR hosted its inaugural class in 1992. With more than 300 program graduates, WLIANR has become the cornerstone program for developing the next generation of agricultural leaders in Florida.
For more information, contact Christy Chiarelli at 352-392-1041 or ccw@ufl.edu.
Read MoreClass XIII FAQs
We are getting ready for WLI Class XIII and look forward to opening nominations. To be notified on February 2 when nominations open, sign up here.
When do nominations open for Class XIII?
Nominations will open on Monday, February 2, 2026.
Are self-nominations accepted?
Yes, self-nominations will be accepted for Class XIII. Self-nominations must also submit two references.
Who can be nominated?
Nominees must be at least 25 years old by the application deadline (May 15, 2026). Nominees must be a resident of Florida for the past year and earn a substantial portion of their personal income from the agriculture and/or natural resources sector.
When is the application deadline?
Applications will be due May 15, 2026.
What happens after I submit my application?
Applications are reviewed and scored by the selection committee. The highest scoring candidates will be invited to participate in a selection seminar. Invitations to selection seminars will be extended by June 15, 2026. Candidates can select the location most convenient for them. Each location can hold up to 20 applicants. Once 20 applicants register at a location, that selection seminar location will be closed to further candidates.
What are the dates and locations of the selection seminars?
- Second Week of August 2026 – Gainesville
- Third Week of August 2026 – Belle Glade & Bartow
When will Class XIII be announced?
The class will be announced no later than October 2, 2026.
What is the tuition cost for Class XIII?
Tuition is based off the projected cost per person for the 22-month experience. Participants pay one-third of the total cost, and the program endowment pays two-thirds. The tuition for Class XIII will be $7,000.
Are scholarships available?
Yes! Partial scholarships are available and interested candidates may apply for scholarships at the time of application.
When will the Class XIII seminar dates be announced?
The seminar dates will be announced when nominations open on February 2, 2026.
Read More2025 AAWLI Award Recipients
The Alumni Association of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute (AAWLI) held their annual meeting in Orlando, Florida on July 25 and 26. At the Saturday evening awards banquet, the organization presented four awards to individuals for their contributions to the Wedgworth Leadership Institute (WLI) and the agriculture and natural resource industries.
Farm Credit of Florida Leadership Award – Marshal (Class XI) and Taylor Sewell
The Farm Credit of Florida Leadership Award is intended to recognize an AAWLI member who has applied what they learned in the program to make an immediate and/or lasting impact on their industry, organization and community.
Upon graduating from Class XI, Marshal and Taylor Sewell founded The Mind Your Melon Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing among farmers, ranchers, and agricultural families. The Sewells host a 5-star-rated podcast with an international audience, co-authored a successful children’s book in partnership with National Ag in the Classroom, and recently collaborated with Florida Farm Bureau and the UF/IFAS Center for Leadership to sponsor the first statewide farmer mental wellbeing survey. Their efforts to elevate this important conversation have made a lasting impact on agricultural communities in Florida and beyond.
Burl Long Leadership Award – Kate English (Class IV)
Dr. Burl Long served as the Faculty Program Advisor for the Wedgworth Leadership Institute from its inception in 1992 and played an integral role in the program until his death in 2011. The Burl Long Leadership Award is intended to recognize someone connected to the Wedgworth Leadership Program who reflects the ideals that Dr. Long embodied, including the belief that “speech without reflection is just chatter”, and the importance of thinking more deeply before speaking or acting. The recipient should also be an individual whose life perspective or mission further developed during, or as a result of, the Wedgworth Leadership Institute program- perhaps through an “ah ha” moment.
A proud alumna of Class IV, Kate participated in the program under Dr. Long’s guidance and continues to embody his legacy through her leadership and service. Kate has been with Pavese Law Firm since 1994 and became a partner in 2000. Her legal practice focuses on agricultural, environmental, and land use law. In 2024, she was appointed to the EPA’s, Ranch and Rural Communities Committee to represent agricultural interests. She also holds leadership roles with the America Farm Bureau and Florida Farm Bureau, among others. She is a member of the board of directors for Alico, Inc. (ALCO). Kate has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America for her work in environmental and land use law and is active in the Lee County Bar Association.
Honorary Director Award – Carl Bauman (Class VIII)
The Honorary Director Award is presented by the current WLI program director to an individual who has provided exemplary support and assistance to WLI.
Carl Bauman has faithfully served as the AAWLI Treasurer since 2020, playing an instrumental role in strengthening the program through improved financial processes, alumni engagement, and operational efficiency. As treasurer, he helped transition records into a new constituent management system, align program and alumni data for greater accuracy, and support regional alumni events to foster collaboration between the association and the program. Known for his quiet, steady leadership, Carl’s behind-the-scenes contributions have noticeably improved the quality of WLI alumni programming.
Eugene Trotter Leadership Award – Chuck (Class IV) and Vesna Allison
The Eugene Trotter Leadership Award is intended to: honor leaders in the agriculture industry who have exemplified personal values, performance, and achievements in Florida and beyond; recognize high standards of conduct, leadership, innovation, and accomplishment for agriculture; and recognize those who as role models for young people entering the industry.
Chuck and Vesna Allison are the owners of Wild Goose Farms in Umatilla, where they grow over 200 acres of conventional blueberries in addition to cattle, citrus, and nursery crops. Since founding the farm in 2004, they have vertically integrated their operation with a state-of-the-art packing facility and built a reputation for quality and innovation. Beyond their business success, they are deeply committed to community service. They host annual blueberry gleaning festivals to benefit local organizations, support faith-based and youth programs, and contribute to UF/IFAS through the Allison Family Endowment. Together, Chuck and Vesna’s dedication to faith, family, and community makes them outstanding role models for leadership in Florida agriculture.
Agribusiness Leaders Graduate from Prestigious UF/IFAS Leadership Institute
GAINESVILLE, FL — Twenty-nine Florida agribusiness leaders graduated from Class XII of the esteemed Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources (WLIANR) on Thursday, July 24. The Institute is run by the University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) and has been developing leaders in Florida since 1991.
This milestone marks the successful completion of a rigorous two-year leadership development program designed to prepare agricultural and natural resource professionals for critical leadership roles across Florida and beyond. The program for Class XII included 55 days of immersive training through:
- Ten multi-day seminars across Florida
- A 10-day national study trip to Washington, DC, Pennsylvania, and Washington state
- A two-week international capstone experience in Ghana and Kenya
Throughout the program, participants engaged in hands-on learning, touring agricultural operations, exchanging ideas with business leaders, and analyzing complex industry issues. They received intensive training in:
- Communication and interpersonal leadership
- Strategic decision-making and problem-solving
- Understanding policy impacts on agriculture and natural resources
This graduating cohort now joins an elite network of leaders prepared to strengthen and advocate for Florida’s agriculture, natural resources, and rural communities.
“Florida’s future depends on preparing leaders able to address complex challenges,” said J. Scott Angle, University of Florida’s senior vice president for agriculture and natural resources and head of UF/IFAS. “What makes WLI special is that it fosters leaders willing to engage with different perspectives and find common ground to create solutions.”
The graduates of Class XII include:
- Lucy Abell, Abell Livestock Company, Venus, FL
- Sydney Allison-Stoyka, IMG Citrus, Sebastian, FL
- Miles Armstrong, BASF Agricultural Solutions, Palmetto, FL
- Myles Basore, TKM-Bengard, Wellington, FL
- Kim Bonner, Mabry Carlton Ranch, Sidell, FL
- Daniel Bott, PGIM Agricultural Investments, Vero Beach, FL
- Jake Brown, Tater Farms, Hastings, FL
- Jason Chandler, Grimmway Farms, Mayo, FL
- Krystin Chapman, The Development Group, Zolfo Springs, FL
- Chance Clay, Clay Ranch, San Mateo, FL
- Danny Collins, Duke Energy, Monticello, FL
- Tiffany Dale, Florida Strawberry Growers Assn., Wauchula, FL
- Tyler Duda, The Viera Company, Melbourne, FL
- Cheryl Flood, Florida State Fair, Bartow, FL
- Rachel Garland, Nutrien, White Springs, FL
- Todd Gentry, Cherrylake Inc., Clermont, FL
- Kyle Hill, H&C Harvesting, Apopka, FL
- Kristen Hitchcock, Parkesdale Farms, Inc., Lakeland, FL
- Rochelle James, No Worries Property Management, Royal Palm Beach, FL
- Erin Jenkins Banas, Jenkins Landscape Company, Hobe Sound, FL
- Jason Johnson, Wedgworth’s Inc., Sebring, FL
- Dan Kimble, Harplyn Inc., Bradenton, FL
- Nina Krause, Nuveen Natural Capital, Palm Beach Gardens, FL
- Sandy McArthur, NG Wade, Jacksonville, FL
- Riley McKenna, McKenna & Associates, Sebring, FL
- Clay Pederson, Agromillora, Ocala, FL
- Zak Seymour, Farm Credit of Florida, Gainesville, FL
- John Small, Cal-Maine Foods, Okeechobee, FL
- Janyel Taylor, Ralph Taylor’s Nurseries, Bradenton, F
Applications for Class XIII will open in Spring 2026. For more information, contact Christy Chiarelli at ccw@ufl.edu.
Read MoreMorgan McKenna Porter named President of the Citrus Research Development Foundation
Morgan McKenna Porter (Class XI) was recently named President of the Citrus Research and Development Foundation (CRDF.)
CRDF is a non-profit corporation organized under Florida State laws as a Direct Support Organization of the University of Florida. It’s Mission is to “Advance disease and production research and product development activities to ensure the survival and competitiveness of Florida’s citrus growers through innovation and research.”
The organization is headed by a 13-member Board of Directors, ten of whom are required by statute to be growers. The others are from academia and government. The COO handles the day-to-day management of business affairs, and Project Managers oversee the research and commercial product delivery project portfolios.
Learn more about CRDF on https://citrusrdf.org/.
Sara Sebring (Class XI) to serve as a Supervisor for the Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District Board
Sara Sebring was elected in November 2022 and sworn in on Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2023 to serve as a Supervisor for the Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District Board. She will represent Seat 5 for a 4 year term.
The Board of Supervisors govern the operation of the District, conducting a monthly board meeting and staying abreast of issues facing the Agricultural Industry. Established in 1942, the Highlands District continues to partner with Highlands County, the Florida Department of Agriculture and USDA-Natural Resource Conservation Services, to provide technical and financial assistance to agriculture land owners in conservation efforts. These programs assure the protection of valuable natural resources while our farmers continue to produce a variety of food commodities in Highlands and surrounding counties. The Highlands Soil & Water Conservation District office is located at 4505 George Blvd., Sebring.
Read MoreScott Emerson (Class III) Recognized as 2021 CARES Recipient
Florida Farm Bureau’s County Alliance for Responsible Environmental Stewardship (CARES) program publicly recognizes Florida farmers and ranchers who demonstrate exemplary efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources by implementing Best Management Practices.
Scott Emerson of Emerson’s Little Dam Farm, Alachua County, was recognized as a 2021 CARES recipient. Emerson is a graduate of the University of Florida and the Wedgworth Leadership Institute, Class III.
Read MoreAAWLI Honors Award Recipients
The Alumni Association of the Wedgworth Leadership Institute (AAWLI) held their annual meeting in Clearwater last weekend, August 6-7. At the Saturday evening awards banquet, the group honored four outstanding individuals for their contributions to the Wedgworth Leadership Institute (WLI) and the agriculture and natural resource industries.
Read MoreMeet Kevin Wright – Class X, Region II Representative
Kevin Wright, Class X, Region II Representative
Vice President of Lands, SE at Oak River Farms
How did you become a part of WLI?
I was aware of WLI while at Suwannee River Water Management District. I had seen industry leaders rise after completing the program. Darrell Smith and Noah Handley asked if I would be interested in completing the program while I was a Generation Farms employee.
What does leadership mean to you?
I think of leadership as taking a team of 50 members and winning a championship; while allowing each individual member to believe that they are the sole person responsible for that result. Leadership should be the tide that rises all boats.
What are your main priorities as a member of the AAWLI BOD?
As a board member, my main priority is to create situations to allow for more connection with regional members.
What value does AAWLI provide to our members?
AAWLI provides continued contact with members of various backgrounds. These connections give us sense of place while dealing with complex problems.
What is your favorite WLI memory?
My favorite WLI memory is our trip to Washington, DC. The trip helped connect policy decisions with policy makers.
Any advice for the current class?
My advice for the current class would be to find your “Why” and be willing to say “No.”
Read MoreMeet the AAWLI President!
I would like to start by saying, “Thank you” for allowing me to serve as your Alumni Association President for the next two years. For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Matt Webb, and I am President of Genesis Timber in Madison, FL. I am a proud member of Class VII (THE BEST CLASS).
I would have never dreamed we would be holding an Alumni zoom meeting! I would like to give a shout out to Class XI for their strong participation in that recent meeting. You have set the bar high for future classes! For those of you that have been directly affected by the pandemic, our thoughts and prayers go out to you and your families. Please let us know if there is anything the alumni association can do to help. We are here for you. One of the greatest benefits of graduating from the Wedgworth program is, if you call any alumni, they will stop what they are doing to help.
The main focus of my presidency will be to help Christy with her mentorship program. I feel we have an amazing group of contacts for future classes. I want to make sure we do more than just nominate people for Wedgworth. We need to invest in these upcoming class members. It is one thing to talk about the program; it is another matter to actually feel you are a part of Wedgworth and to learn from previous class members.
I would also like to implement more strategic continuing education at our regional gatherings. We all face challenges, and I will do my best to address the issues by region.
Over the term of my presidency, I believe we will get back to meeting in person. In the meantime, I encourage each alumni member to reach out to people in your classes that have not been involved. We are all busy, but there was an investment made on behalf of each of us, and I feel it is our duty to make sure there is a substantial return on those investments. Wedgworth alumni is the future of Agriculture world-wide, and I believe it will be the sounding board for any issues that arise in that arena.
I pray 2020-2022 are the best years yet for each of your families and your businesses.
GOD BLESS and GO GATORS!
Matthew G. Webb
Read More
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