November 2024 - 26

Alyssa Houtby
Director of Government Affairs
North American Blueberry Council
A dedicated advocate for growers,
Alyssa worked 12 years in
agricultural policy and regulatory affairs for California's
citrus industry. She holds a bachelor's in agricultural
business from California Polytechnic University, and is
a graduate of the California Ag Leadership Program.
Alyssa lives in Visalia, California, with her husband
Andrew and a daughter.
Andre Luiz Biscaia Ribeiro
da Silva
Associate Professor
Auburn University
A vegetable cropping systems
Extension specialist in Auburn's horticulture
department, Andre's program develops best
management practices for pre- and postharvest yield
and vegetable quality. He focuses on plant physiology,
water conservation and nutrient management in
conventional and organic systems and conducts
precision agriculture research using drones and
artificial intelligence.
Anthony Cannon
Southeast Area Sales Manager
Sakata Seed America
Working in the vegetable crop
industry for 10 years, Anthony
started specializing in seed product development
before moving into sales. He was born and raised on a
small north Florida family tobacco and peanut farm. A
University of Florida alum, Anthony resides in Parrish,
Florida, with his wife Kiley and two sons.
Bharath Reddy
Senior Vegetable Breeder
Axia Vegetable Seeds dba US
Agriseeds
A senior breeder, Bharath developed
hybrids with strong resistance packages and high yields.
He has commercialized more than 20 cucumber, pepper
and squash hybrids and holds two patents. A Ph.d.,
Bharath released the first target leaf spot-resistant
pickle cucumber hybrid. Bharath attributes his success
support from his wife and Axia's leadership.
26 | NOVEMBER 2024
Brandon Short
Farm Manager
Knucklehead Farms
Brandon is a first generation farmer
and manager of Knucklehead Farms
in Marion, New York. Aspiring to be a farmer throughout
his childhood, he at 17 started a farm with his 12 year
old brother growing and selling a variety of fruit and
vegetables. Attending SUNY Cobleskill for ag business,
Brandon's business plan includes building a creamery
and a family-friendly u-pick farm.
Bryan Harnish
Owner
Harnish Farms
After graduating from Penn State
University, Bryan returned to
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and launched Harnish Farms
in 2009. The diverse specialty crop operation focuses on
the growing, marketing and shipping of watermelons,
pumpkins and fall decor to major East Coast agritourism
businesses and retailers. In his spare time, Bryan enjoys
spending time with family and coaching his local high
school wrestling team.
Christopher Cochran
Horticulture Program Manager
University of Maryland
A Maryland native, Chris began his
career as a first-generation farmer,
cultivating strawberries and pumpkins for his own u-pick
operation. In 2021, he was hired as the horticulture
program manager at the University of Maryland's Wye
Research and Education Center, with a specific focus on
strawberries as an Extension specialist. Chris enjoys
spending time with his wife and five children living near
the picturesque Wye River.
Chris Deal
Co-manager
Deal's Orchard
A grower, engineer and community
leader from Jefferson, Iowa, Chris comanages
Deal's Orchard, a fourth-generation farm raising
Iowa apples. He supervises all aspects of the business,
including agritourism. After earning a mechanical
engineering degree from Iowa State University, Chris
started nonprofits and became an engineering firm
partner. In 2016, Chris returned to his family farm where
he and his wife Tracy raise three children.
November 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November 2024
