Young Grower Alliance

YGA members are looking to connect with others working in a similar profession and living a similar lifestyle. Activities include field trips, orchard tours, workshops, luncheons with guest speakers, and much more—limited by our own creativity! The coalition currently includes over 380 growers from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. New members are always welcome. If you are interested in joining the Young Grower Alliance, or would like to know more, please contact our coordinator, Don Seifrit.

Our mission is to encourage, develop, support, and equip the next generation of fruit growers in the Mid-Atlantic region.

A new generation of specialty crop growers is building coalitions to develop innovative approaches for meeting future growing and marketing challenges. Participate as much or as little as you want, but get to know the people around you!

Membership

• is open to young people interested in or new to a horticultural career
• Ages: 18-35
• Currently we have approximately 300 members from PA and surrounding states

Support

• Committee of the State Horticultural Association of Pennsylvania (SHAP) with a YGA liaison to SHAP
• grant funding provided by SHAP and the Maryland State Horticulture Society
• Penn State Extension

Activities

• Educational Field trips
• Orchard Tours
• Luncheons with Guest Speakers
• Leadership Opportunities
• International Exchanges
• Scholarships: Scott Brown Memorial Scholarship, SHAP scholarship. IFTA Young Grower Scholarship

Value of the YGA

• Sense of Community
• Transition
• Exchange of Ideas
• Business Development
• Communication and Networking Skills
• Exposure