Education

Short for “Learning, Interacting and Networking with Key players in the Supply chain,” LINKS is an educational leadership program where exceptional Southeastern growers and shippers can connect with Retail/Foodservice providers in the region in a non-competitive environment. By enhancing each side’s understanding of the retail supply chain, we can facilitate our mutual goals to better service consumers and drive Southeastern produce consumption. The SEPC will provide a meeting space at both Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations to participating Retail/Foodservice members who facilitate the program with invited Growers and Shippers.

A two-day course intended for quality control personnel, produce buyers, produce inventory control personnel, and other company associates involved in the receiving, handling, buying, and shipping of fresh produce.

Note: Our course has been cancelled until further notice

“I would like to thank the SEPC for organizing the recent produce training seminar in Tampa. It was a very productive and informative experience and, even though I’ve been in the produce business for a long time, I still come away learning new ways to grade and execute quality checks.”

Keith Vigue, US Foods

Curated annually and offered throughout the year (including at our Southern Exposure and Southern Innovations conferences), SEPC University offers a variety of sessions to keep members abreast of the latest trends in the produce industry. Scholarships are also provided to further the education of current and future produce professionals.

 

Southern Exposure 2020: Session Videos

• Plight of Plastics
• Power of Produce 2020
• Continuing Connection - Selfish Giving

 

Southern Innovations 2020: Session Videos

• Coming Soon!

Our STARS (Southeast Top Agricultural Recruits Scholarship) program is available to outstanding students majoring in agriculture at Southeast-based land grant universities. Our goal is to recruit top students for job opportunities in the Southeast produce industry.

Testimonials

“This past weekend at Southern Exposure was one of the highlights of my college career. It was really enjoyable to meet and connect with so many industry professionals.”

            ~ Maxwell Cavassa, Auburn University, STARS Class of 2020

“Being able to attend Southern Exposure 2019 definitely opened my eyes to the endless career opportunities in the industry sector, and the overall STARS experience has had a positive impact in my career as a food microbiologist."

            ~ Erika Estrada, Virginia Tech, STARS Class of 2019

Ideal candidates are rising seniors in undergraduate majors related to the growing and marketing of produce and related products who also hold a minimum 3.2 GPA or higher. Additionally, it is preferred that students have demonstrated an interest in growing and/or marketing of produce. Scholarship recipients will be expected to attend the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure conference & expo. The Southeast Produce Council will cover hotel and travel expenses to this event. The scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to meet with hundreds of produce industry grower/shipper members as well as the nation’s leading retailers and foodservice distributors.

Majors Include:

• Agricultural and Biological Engineering
• Agricultural Education and Communication
• Agricultural Operations Management
• Botany (Plant Biologist)
• Entomology and Nematology
• Environmental Management in Agriculture and Natural Resources
• Food and Resource Economics
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Horticultural Science
• Plant Science
• Soil and Water Science

 

Participating Universities

Please get in touch with the respective contact at any of the below universities for more information on the STARS program.

Auburn University

Jordan Moseley

• Development Officer
• College of Agriculture
• Auburn University
• 100 Corner Hall
• Auburn, AL 36849
• (334) 844-3472

Clemson University

Margaret Owens

• Senior Director of Development
• College of Agriculture, Forestry & Life Sciences
• Clemson University
• 101 Barre Hall
• Clemson, SC 29634-0202
• (864) 276-7245

Louisiana State University

Amanda L. Martin

• Assistant Dean of Recruitment & Student Development
• College of Agriculture
• Louisiana State University
• 146 Martin D. Woodin Hall
• Baton Rouge, LA 70830
• (225) 578-2266

North Carolina State University

Robin Clements

• Student Services Specialist
• CALS Academic Programs Office
• North Carolina State University
• Campus Box 7642
• 111 Patterson Hall
• Raleigh, NC 27695-7642

 

University of Florida

 Taylor Wood

• Assistant Director of Development
• UF/IFAS Advancement
• University of Florida
• Institute of Food & Agricultural Sciences
• 1001 McCarty Hall
• PO Box 110170
• Gainesville, FL 32611-0170
• (706) 542-1611

University of Georgia

Dana Nash

• Administrative Manager 
• UGA College of Agricultural & Environmental Sciences
• Office of Academic Affairs
• 102 Conner Hall
• Athens, GA 30602
• (706) 542-1611

 

Virginia Tech

Cynthia Beatty

• Fiscal Administrator, Academic Programs
• Virginia Tech
• Office of Academic Programs
• 175 West Campus Drive
• Blacksburg, VA 24061
• (540) 231-9671

 

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE NETWORKING HIGHLIGHTS

STARS & STEP-UPP Dinner

Mix and mingle with some of SEPC’s top produce professionals

STARS Breakfast

Join fellow STARS students for breakfast with an informative guest speaker from the industry

STARS Cocktails & Careers

Interview with SEPC member companies seeking fresh employees

 

STARS CLASS OF 2020

Auburn University

Matt Hayes / Horticulture
Download Resume/Download Bio

Max Cavassa / Horticulture
Download Resume/Download Bio

 

Clemson University

Audrey Jen / Plant & Environmental Sciences – Agronomy
Download Resume/Download Bio

John Lawson / Plant & Environmental Sciences – Agricultural Biotechnology
Download Resume/Download Bio

Louisiana State University

Alexis Boyd / Horticulture
Download Resume/Download Bio

Michael Younis / Agricultural Business
Download Resume/Download Bio

 

NC State University

Kindsey Small / Agricultural Science
Download Resume/Download Bio

Brenda Lozano / Horticulture Science
Download Resume/Download Bio

 

University of Florida

Cody Clark / Food and Resource Economics
Download Resume/Download Bio

Chloe Ouellette / Horticultural Science – Production
Download Resume/Download Bio

 

University of Georgia

Eryn Elliott / Agricultural Education
Download Resume/Download Bio

Morgan Hart / Agricultural Education
Download Resume/Download Bio

  

Virginia Tech

Claire Marik / Food Science and Technology – Food Safety
Download Resume/Download Bio

Garrett Brockwell / Environmental Horticulture
Download Resume/Download Bio 

STEP-UPP gives Retail and Foodservice produce professionals a greater understanding of the industry through an emphasis on strategic orientation, personal leadership, and hands-on field experience. Twelve (12) individuals are selected through an application and interview process based on leadership experience and interest in developing a career in fresh produce. Potential candidates must be active members of SEPC.

 

PROGRAM GOALS

Strategic Orientation

This program will broaden the participants’ strategic view of the fresh produce industry through supply chain overviews, collaborative business planning, category development, and key performance indicator discussions.

Personal Leadership & Networking

This program focuses on personal development and relationship building. The program may include leadership styles, managing for performance, and negotiation strategy. Each program segment will also include opportunities to meet and network with other SEPC industry members.

Field Experience

Here we put theory to the test by taking participants into the field and on plant tours to gain hands-on experience in how to partner with growers more effectively. A short course in produce inspection will also be included.

STEP-UPP CLASS TESTIMONIALS

“The word that pops into my head that best describes the overall experience is family. We seemed to all instantly hit it off.”

            ~ Lee Butram, AWG, STEP-UPP Class of 2018

“I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have been a member with STEP-UPP. I gained invaluable experience by touring farms, talking to suppliers and networking with industry leaders and experts. Years later, I still use what I learned to make better buying decisions for my company.”

             ~ Leslie Gallegos, Fresh Point Tampa, STEP-UPP Class of 2012

THE STEP-UPP CLASS OF 2021

2021 STEP-UPP Class Schedule

• Spring 2021 [schedule TBD]
• Summer 2021 [schedule TBD]
• Fall 2021 
  • Class graduation ceremony during Southern Innovations 2021

2019 STEP-UPP Team Building Activity

• https://youtu.be/qOYfDXD08E8
• More STEP-UPP class videos 

 

Applicant must be/have a parent or grandparent who is a corporate member in good standing as of May 1st of the current year [Member has been on the SEPC membership roster for at least 12 months and has personally attended at least one event (Southern Exposure and/or Southern Innovations) within the last 12 months]. Immediate family members may apply if the active member is part of a corporate membership. Members who have individual memberships are not eligible. 

Each applicant must be enrolled as a full-time student (minimum 12 semester hours).

• College or high school transcript
• SEPC Member Name and Member #
• College/University Student ID #, current major and GPA (minimum 3.0 GPA required)
• College/University Address where the scholarship check will be sent
• SAT and/or ACT scores
• Enrollment verification from College/University
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
• Community Involvement
• 500-word minimum and 1000-word maximum essay
  • 2021 Essay Topic:

    2020 has been a very trying year for all of us. Yet through the COVID-19 pandemic, we have gained valuable insight into SEPC’s theme for 2021 – Produce: Powered by People. We have seen how People in Produce have brought some positive lights to these dark times.   We know that everyone can make a difference in their job, community, church, school, or home. One person can bring a little light into the dark world we have lived in for this last year. Most of us have had a lot of time on our hands this year to think about things that we can do when the world gets back to some form of normal.

    Explain how you could do something to make a positive difference in this new world we are living in. It could be something you have done in the past and plan on continuing now.  

The SEPC scholarship application can only be submitted online through our link which will be provided beginning March 15, 2021. The application deadline is April 30, 2021 at 5pm EST.

Members of the SEPC Scholarship Committee

*All judges will be impartial when judging each redacted essay. All participant names and company references will be redacted before judging. If any judge has a personal relationship with any participant, that judge will be asked to recuse himself or herself from judging and will be replaced.

First preference is given to new applicants; however, you may apply for additional scholarship awards. You will need to provide transcripts from the university you are attending along with proof of enrollment. All repeat scholarship recipients must maintain a 3.0 GPA to be eligible each year.

Recipients are announced on May 21, 2021.