Vienna, Va. – The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is pleased to announce the arrival of Abby L. Winkel as its first summer intern. As USApple’s intern, Winkel will assist with writing and editing the association’s newsletters, Market News and Apple News, writing news releases, designing and updating the association’s Web site and help prepare for the 2002 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference held Aug. 22-23.

“We are delighted to have Abby join our team for the summer,” said USApple Communications Manager Harriet Pimm, “Abby’s industry background combined with her strong communication skills will enhance our communications efforts on behalf of our nations apple growers.”

Winkel is a senior at the College of Charleston (C of C) in Charleston, S.C., where she majors in corporate communications with a business administration minor. At C of C, she is a member of the Communications and PR Club and the Marketing Club, and in the fall will join the Alpha Kappa Psi Co-ed Business Fraternity.

Winkel was raised in Watervliet, Mich., where she helped her father at Greg Orchards and Produce Inc., and has competed in the Michigan Apple Queen Contest in Grand Rapids, Mich. Her father, Barry Winkel, was recently elected to serve on the USApple’s Board of Trustees.

USApple Offers Internship Program
Winkel is the first college student to take advantage of USApple’s newly-created internship program, which aims to build the intern’s writing and organizational skills and provide ‘real world’ experience vital to securing future job placements, while strengthening the overall efforts of the association.

USApple will again be looking for eligible applicants next spring. To be eligible, students must have completed their sophomore year of college and be pursuing a career in either communications or the apple industry.

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) is the national trade association representing all segments of the apple industry. Members include 40 state apple associations representing 9,000 apple growers throughout the country, as well as nearly 500 individual firms involved in the apple business. USApple’s mission is to provide the means for all segments of the U.S. apple industry to join in appropriate collective efforts to profitably produce and market apples and apple products.