Aug08
POTATO LEAF NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR 2026 PILI
Applications are now being accepted for the Potato Leadership, Education, and Advancement Foundation’s (Potato LEAF) 2025 Potato Industry Leadership Institute (PILI). This ten day program focuses on developing growers and industry members leadership skills and provides motivation to help guide their decisions to best utilize their time and energy for the betterment of the U.S. Potato Industry. PILI will start in Florida on February 18, 2025 then travel to Washington D.C. as the program ends. Attendees will receive an overview of the U.S. potato industry, learn challenges and issues being addressed outside the production sector, and find out how industry state and national groups work to maintain a positive business climate for growers. Participants will complete a Capstone project requiring them to participate in a virtual session, then complete a team project to be shared with the Potato LEAF Board of Directors in August of 2026. Top project teams will be invited to Potato Expo 2027 at the Gaylord Rockies in January of 2027 to share their projects.
Tentative PILI Schedule:
- Feb. 18 - Travel to Florida
- Feb. 19 - Kickoff of training and travel through Florida production areas
- Feb. 20 - Tours of agricultural production and potato processing facilities
- Feb. 21 - Travel to Washington, D.C. - monument tour
- Feb. 22 - Leadership and communication training
- Feb. 23 - George Washington Leadership Experience at Mount Vernon
- Feb. 24 - Leadership and communication training
- Feb. 25 - Issue training
- Feb. 26 - Congressional visits with state organizations, program celebration
- Feb. 27 - Travel home
Additional information on PILI can be found here.
To submit an application go here.
Electronic application submission deadline for Washington State participants is Friday, August 29, 2025!
Participation confirmations will be sent by November 14, 2025.
Washington state is guaranteed two participants in the program. In 2026, registration costs for PILI are set at $2,750.00 and PILI will be selecting 20-24 applicants. Each participant is responsible for their transportation, parking, checked baggage fees, and miscellaneous expenses during the program. Coverage of the registration costs is not included in the guaranteed seat in the program and is the responsibility of the state organizations or individuals participating.
Have questions? Contact Madi Poulin at
