By Frank Giles
In agricultural circles, we often lament about “preaching to the choir.” We have a lot of issues, but a relatively small universe of peers to air our opinions about the problem and possible solutions. It’s not easy breaking through to influence the non-agricultural word, but that doesn’t stop us from trying.
Preachers to the choir are not rare in agriculture. But someone who sees a problem and turns preaching into action is rare and special.
One of those people is Sonia Tighe, who recently retired from several roles serving Florida agriculture. In 2010, she was appointed to lead the Florida Specialty Crop Foundation. In 2014, she joined the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) staff as its director of membership.
Leader Development
Both those roles are action-oriented and appreciated, but where her service will have the most far-reaching impact is her leadership of FFVA’s Emerging Leader Development Program (ELDP).
We often preach to the choir about the problem of our aging agricultural community and the challenge of who will fill the shoes of current leadership. For 15 years, Sonia didn’t preach about the problem; she had a direct hand in developing 160 young men and women who graduated from the program.
During FFVA’s annual conference in September, Class 14 of the ELDP graduated. This group, like all the others, already have distinguished themselves at the farms or other agricultural-related businesses they work for. But now they have the tools to enhance their leadership abilities.
Active Service
At the conference, Sonia received various accolades and expressions of gratitude for her service — all well deserved. From a personal standpoint, I’ve had the opportunity to work with her on several fronts.
When I first arrived in Florida with the editor’s job at Florida Grower magazine, we were “friendly competitors” as she was finishing a productive career working in various roles with Vance Publishing Corporation.
I got to know her best working on the Florida Ag Expo, which AgNet Media now hosts every November at the Gulf Coast Research & Education Center. Her input on that event was invaluable. She was also a member of the advisory board for the center.
Sonia always brings a positive energy to the table wherever she sits. And she sat at many tables in various voluntary advisory roles over the years — another example of more action and less preaching.
Sonia, congratulations on your retirement. Thank you for your contributions to the specialty crop industry. Your impact will be felt for many years to come as those emerging leaders you mentored will do just that — lead.