UCF grad represents agriculture industry

Nicholson School of Communication graduate Stephanie Wilken recently accepted the position of Communications Manager for Western Growers.

“I definitely didn’t think I’d end up in communications. If you would have asked me on graduation day if this is where I’d be, I wouldn’t believe you,” Wilken said.

Western Growers represents growers, packers and shippers that produce about half of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the nation and one third of the fresh organic produce in the nation, according to Wilken. Her experience as a reporter with the daily newspaper Yuma Sun and her time at UCF prepared her to take over the communications for the west coast company.

“I absolutely fell in love with agriculture during my time working for a daily paper in Arizona,” Wilken said. “The people in agriculture are amazing. And now, I get to represent them, advocate for them and tell their stories. It’s perfect.”

Western Growers represents growers, packers and shippers that produce about half of the fresh fruits and vegetables in the nation and one third of the fresh organic produce in the nation, according to Wilken. The company is also the largest provider of health insurance in America to the agriculture industry and works with government affairs on the state and federal levels to advocate on behalf of its members.

Wilken writes  feature stories, articles on new agriculture science and everything in between for the magazine Western Growers publishes monthly.

“I have to know about it all; It’s a very exciting challenge,” she said. “I’m learning more and more every day.”

Wilken’s favorite part of her new position is believing in what the company is doing, which she describes as an amazing feeling. The people in the agriculture industry motivate her.

“They’re stewards of the land, and often they’re multi-generation family farmers. They care about their workers and producing the food Americans (and people around the world) eat. It’s truly inspiring.”

Wilken graduated in the fall of 2008 with a B.A. in Journalism.