Alumni

2025 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. 

AAWLI 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.  

Meet 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.”