Mann Packing Executive Mike Jarrard takes the reins of Western Growers as the new 2012 chairman. Jarrard grew up on a farm in Bakersfield in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley. His family grew cotton, alfalfa, wheat and barley. After graduating from UC Davis, Jarrard started his agricultural career Salinas. More than 20 years later, he's still in Salinas--a place he's developed a deep affection for. Join Jarrard in his efforts to continue the healthy eating message that's so important for the fresh produce industry. Jarrard is a firm believer in the WG tagline: "We grow the best medicine." To Jarrard, the fresh produce industry has the tools Americans need for a healthier eating lifestyle.

Download Magazine

Follow the money. No truer statement was ever made and no individual or group escapes the motivation to seek it. That includes nonprofits or nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Some are wealthy beyond expectation, like The Nature Conservancy with over $5 billion in assets, the World Wildlife Fund with $377 million or the Environmental Defense Fund with over $100 million. These figures prompted me to take a closer look at environmental NGOs. Their mission, as they see it, is “to save the world” and disrupt the status quo. The moral high ground of such a mission causes them to act as the planet’s police officers, empowered to force the unenlightened to fall into line and clean up the planet. As is often in life, some goals solve actual problems and are worth pursuing, others not.

Read President's Notes