Attend the “Ag Jobs: Bringing a Greater Vision” Event on Oct. 7 at CSUMB

October 1st, 2024

Western Growers members are invited to attend the upcoming “Ag Jobs: Bringing a Greater Vision” event at California State University Monterey Bay on Oct. 7, 2024.

This year’s event will focus on “Smarter Agriculture: Feeding More-Impacting Less.” Participants can join in person or via live stream to learn about exciting technology innovations and career opportunities in the ag industry.

The agenda will include the following:

11:30 a.m. – Attendee check-in and free lunch sponsored by Western Growers

12 p.m. – 2 p.m. – Ag jobs forum

Fireside Chat hosted by Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology Director Dennis Donohue with special guests:

  • Christine Moseley, Founder & CEO, Full Harvest
  • Brandi DeCarli, Founding Partner & CEO, Farm from a Box

Panel Discussion #1 – Sustainability in Agriculture

  • Moderator: Nikki Cossio, CEO and Founder of Measure to Improve, LLC
  • Katie Chiapuzio, Director of Environmental Science and Resources for Braga Fresh
  • Wyatt Maysey, Director of Sustainability at Taylor Farms

Panel Discussion #2 – Climate-Smart Agriculture

  • Moderator: Jeana Cadby, Environmental Climate Director, Western Growers
  • Eric Brennan, Research Horticulturist & Lead Scientist at USDA Agricultural Research Service in Salinas
  • Jeff Anderson, CEO, AllMade Materials
  • Steve McIntyre, Founder of McIntyre Vineyards and Founder of Monterey Pacific, Inc.

2:30 p.m – 4 p.m. – Ag Jobs: Career & Internship Fair

  • Meet ag industry employers at the in-person career fair following the forum.

The event is free to attend but requires pre-registration. To register for the event, click here.

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Date: Monday, Oct. 7, 2024 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Location: CSUMB Otter Student Union
3118 Inter-Garrison Rd Seaside, CA 93955

 

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Data Sharing Listed as One of FDA’s Human Food Program Priorities

October 30th, 2024

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration launched the Human Food Program (HFP) in October 2024 with the mission to “protect and promote the health and wellness of all people through science-based approaches to prevent foodborne illness, reduce diet-related chronic disease, and ensure chemicals in food are safe.”

To move on this mission, the HFP has released its FY 2025 Priority Deliverables to precede a more comprehensive multi-year plan. The FY 2025 Priority Deliverables includes three areas: Microbiological Food Safety, Food Chemical Safety and Nutrition. Find the full release here.

Here are a few points of note:

Data Sharing – HFP is working to establish formal agreements with industry partners to emphasize increased sharing and data analysis.

Pre-harvest Agricultural Water – efforts will include educating industry and partners on requirements from the FSMA Final rule on Pre-harvest Agricultural Water.

Closer to Zero Action Levels – This initiative aims to “establish action levels for environmental contaminants in foods intended for infants and young children, including a final guidance on action levels for lead.”

For more information, email Sonia Salas at [email protected].

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Reagan-Udall Foundation Seeks Input from Food Safety Leaders

October 16th, 2024

The industry, consumer and state regulatory members of the Fresh Produce Coalition (FPC) are pleased that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is supporting the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s (RUF) facilitation of an inclusive stakeholder dialogue to explore new strategies for produce safety. The FPC has been working with FDA leaders on ways to identify and overcome systemic barriers to success in ensuring access by all consumers to a safe and abundant supply of fresh produce. We see the RUF-facilitated dialogue as an exceptional opportunity to generate new ideas and energy and to work collaboratively toward holistic, public-private strategies that better support growers in implementing best practices for food safety. The FPC’s vision and mission is described here.

To obtain a breadth of perspectives from representatives whose voices are the most valuable in the conversation around food safety, the RUF is collecting insight through a questionnaire that can be found here. Responses will be used to direct attention to priority areas. The deadline for participation is Nov. 1, 2024.

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