By Christy Chiarelli, Wedgworth Leadership Institute

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — 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.

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About the Wedgworth Leadership Institute for Agriculture and Natural Resources

Founded in 1991, WLIANR has trained over 350 alumni through 12 graduating classes. The program is designed for leaders in Florida’s agriculture and natural resources sectors who are ready to take on greater roles in public policy, community leadership, and industry innovation.  https://wedgworthleadership.com/

ABOUT UF/IFAS
The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offices, and award-winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/IFAS brings science-based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. 

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