The United Fresh Research & Education Foundation has opened the application period for the 16th annual Produce Industry Leadership Program. United Fresh will select 12 individuals to participate.

During the yearlong program, participants will take part in a series of customized trips including meetings with leading industry players, hands-on training with industry experts and educators and interactive experiences with leaders in Washington, D.C. This year's schedule will feature trips to Washington and Oregon, Washington, D.C., Wilmington, Del., and Southern California. The class will graduate at United Fresh 2011 in Las Vegas.

Candidates interested in applying for the program can download information and an application here. The deadline for applications is March 5. Only members of United Fresh may apply. The Produce Industry Leadership Program was created in 1995 through a grant from DuPont Crop Protection.