From left to right: ASA DuPont Young Leader alumni Charles, Denise, Vincent and Krysten Cannatella, of Louisiana, and Matt Atkinson, Mary Ann Ross, Inga and Charles Atkinson, of Kansas.

Proud parents and alumni of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) DuPont Young Leaders (DYL) program had the opportunity to see their children follow in their footsteps this year.

Charles and Denise Cannatella and Charles and Inga Atkinson completed the DYL program in 2002. This year the Cannatella’s son and daughter-in-law, Vincent and Krysten, and the Atkinson’s son and daughter-in-law, Matthew and Mary Ann, graduated the program.

Both couples said they are proud to see their children go through the program and take steps to become leaders in agriculture.

The Cannatellas said ever since Vincent became a partner of Cannatella Outdoors Farms, they’ve encouraged him to become an active voice in promoting farming ways.

“He was not interested at first because he was busy making his way in the business,” the Cannatellas said. “So this year when he expressed his wishes to go through the Dupont Young Leader Program, our hearts were filled with proud emotions. He is very good at what he does and now he will join with the two of us as a voice for agriculture. It is good to see all the young leaders with amazing talent begin to step forward sharing the great stories of the American farmer!"

Charles Atkinson said his son Matthew had shown interest in ASA and previously attended the Soybean Leadership College. This year he was asked by ASA board members to consider applying for DYL.

“We supported and encouraged his decision to apply for DYL,” Atkinson said. “You are always honored when a child follows in your footsteps and we were excited to be there with Matthew and MaryAnn when they graduated from DYL. I know the experiences that had will last a life time. And the friendships they make will be like ours, priceless! We are pleased to share our experience with our son and glad he had a chance to do it with the next generation of Cannatellas.”

The DYL program is an intense course designed to enhance leadership skills for the future benefit of the entire agricultural industry. Many graduates of this leadership training program assume roles on their state and national soybean associations. To learn more about the DYL program, click here.