As Western Growers marks its centennial anniversary, few milestones feel as significant as celebrating 100 years alongside the members who helped build it. In 2026, the organization stands as one of the most influential advocates for specialty crop growers, shippers and packers across California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico.

Throughout its 100-year history, Western Growers has been a trusted source of guidance and support by the agricultural community. This can be attributed to the strenuous and persistent work of our members and employees who came before us, who continue to fight for the benefit of the farming industry.

Among these members is one who has distinguished itself for unwavering dedication—Jack Bros., Inc.—one of Western Grower’s initial founding members. Established in 1914, the company’s origins trace back to a series of unlikely turns that would eventually reunite the brothers in the Imperial Valley.

“My grandfather, Earl Jack, was almost 20 years younger than his brother, Alvin Jack,” explained Alex Jack, a third-generation farmer and owner of Jack Bros.

Earl’s mother died in childbirth and his father remarried shortly after. When he was two, Earl’s father passed away, and his stepmother no longer wanted to care for him. “Alvin was out West when he got the news his brother was put into a foster home,” Alex said. “He reached out to his aunt, who lived in Texas, and she adopted Earl and raised him.”

The two continued to live separate, distant lives. At 16, Earl went off to serve in World War I. Meantime, Alvin was out panning for gold in the Colorado River in Yuma, Ariz. “It didn’t pan out for Alvin, no pun intended, and Earl had to come home at the end of his first year after he was shot in the leg,” said Alex.

This led to the brothers meeting up in California to work as fruit peddlers. “They started going to farmers markets, mostly in the Imperial Valley, then took the two-day drive up to Los Angeles to sell the fruit,” said Alex. After doing that for upwards of a year, the brothers started to farm themselves.

“Earl was receiving some money for serving in the war, and they used those funds to buy their first ranch, northwest of Holtville, marking the official start to Jack Bros.,” Alex said.

During the period when the Jacks arrived and years following, the Imperial Valley was undergoing a profound transformation. Irrigation systems carrying Colorado River water across the basin allowed productive farmland to replace what had long been barren desert.

With the Valley over 200 miles away from major cities, railways had given farmers like Jack Bros. a lifeline to sell to distant markets. Without this service, produce shippers would be forced to make the grueling trip by wagon, or be cut off from the market altogether.

Because crops grown in the desert heat were highly perishable, farmers depended on iced refrigerator railcars to transport produce to distant markets. That meant the railcar needed to be packed with large bunkers of ice to keep produce shipments cool, as it could take a day or two to arrive. Railroads charged shippers fees for icing, re-icing (if needed) and the labor to load the ice, among other fees.

With limited alternatives—and railroads holding significant leverage over the everyday farmer—they were stuck with no choice but to pay the exorbitant fees.

Individually, they appealed to the federal Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC), an agency created in 1887 to regulate railroad carriers and the rates they charged, but saw little success.

“Earl, Alvin and other Western shippers decided it would be far more beneficial to team up together, to unify under one voice to fight back against these unfair regulations,” said Alex.

On March 9, 1926, shippers across Southern California and Arizona rallied in the Imperial Valley to form the Western Growers Protective Association (WGPA), a fortified effort to fight for fair transportation rates for the agricultural industry. Through this collective clout, the men were better positioned to challenge railroad pricing, petitioning the ICC for fair freight rates and services. This couldn’t have come at a more pivotal time as Congress had recently ordered the ICC to investigate and review their freight-rate structure.

In the following years, challenges far beyond railroad disputes would arise, ones that threatened the very survival of family farming operations, including the economic collapse of the Great Depression.

“Once the Great Depression hit, my grandfather and great uncle went completely broke,” said Alex. “It was an extremely difficult time.”

During this turbulent period, Western Growers championed policies that helped members like Jack Bros. stay viable.

WGPA, as it would be known until 1942, was instrumental in securing federal protections for produce shippers, pushing for fair payment standards and helping lay the groundwork for the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930. The law introduced safeguards against unfair trading practices and provided growers with greater stability in an increasingly volatile marketplace.

At the same time, WGPA worked to protect operations from disruptions that threatened harvest and distribution. Jack Bros. played a pivotal role in these initiatives, with Alvin Jack serving on the Board of Directors for eight years, including as Chairman in 1929 (the fourth in the association’s history).

“While new challenges have always emerged, that first group bonded together and created something lasting. What Western Growers has done throughout the years is a testament to that foundation.”

Though the Jack brothers managed to keep the business afloat through the greater part of the Great Depression, Alvin’s health took a turn for the worse in the later years, and that’s when Earl took the reins. With the economy still in shambles and the markets in upheaval, it was impossible to depend solely on the Jack Bros. income to survive.

“Earl had to rely on his wife, Carol, my grandmother, to get through this unprecedented time. She was a school teacher, and it was her salary that gave them the lifeline they needed to keep the farm and their family afloat.”

For farming families, resilience is less a choice than a necessity, and for the Jacks, this period of hardship did more than test their tenacity. It defined Earl’s leadership skills and deepened his sense of responsibility to others in the industry.

He would serve on the Western Growers Board from 1948– 1953 following this tumultuous time, solidifying the Jacks as contributing leaders. Earl eventually passed the torch to his son, Neal, who brought both military discipline and innovation to the Jack Bros. operation.

“My father served in World War II under Gen. George S. Patton, working closely with tanks and infantry,” said Alex. “He learned it was far easier to communicate with car-to-car radios than by hauling someone in a trap wagon behind a truck. It saved a lot of time.”

Continuing to grow and build Jack Bros. as a close partner with Western Growers, Neal served on the Board twice in the 80s. As Alex eventually took over, he would follow in the footsteps of the other Jack men by serving in a leadership role.

“I enjoyed my time on the Western Growers Board immensely; it was an experience of a lifetime,” said Alex. “I’m just so extremely proud of my father, my grandfather, my great uncle and our history with the organization.”

Just like when his grandpa Earl led the company, Alex also faced an unprecedented crisis, when COVID-19 disrupted supply chains and upended normal operations across the agricultural industry in March 2020.

Alex said Western Growers played a critical role in addressing the strict regulations that were preventing food from being harvested.

“All it took was a phone call or two from Western Growers to make lawmakers realize how unworkable some of the regulations impacting food production really were.”

For Alex, the experience reaffirmed a truth his grandfather understood decades earlier: our strength is found in unity. From railcar disputes in the 1920s to regulatory battles during a global pandemic, the challenges have changed but this principle has not. What began as a fight for fair freight rates has expanded into advocacy on water policy, labor reform, food safety standards, trade negotiations and technological innovation.

The Jack family’s journey reflects that same arc of transformation in many ways. Through economic collapse, war, shifting markets and generational transition, they adapted while remaining grounded in the values that brought them together in the first place. Their continued involvement with Western Growers speaks not only to family legacy but also exemplifies the remarkable dedication that sets our members apart.

Though the road ahead presents increasing complexities for growers, shippers and producers, Alex says one constant remains: Western Growers stands ready to support its members.

“Western Growers always seems to come through, whatever the fight or concern. They just put their A-team on it and get things done.”

A century ago, a small group of shippers united to solve a shared problem. One hundred years later, that same resolve lives on in members like Jack Bros. and in the collective voice of Western Growers. As the organization enters its next chapter, the mission remains clear—to defend, uplift and strengthen the people who grow our food, today and for the next hundred years and beyond.

By Isa Glassen, Sustainable Produce Packaging Assistant, and Jeffrey Brandenburg, Founder, QFresh Lab

Western Growers has reached an exciting milestone: 100 years of advocating for, supporting and providing services to family farmers growing fresh produce and tree nuts throughout the Western U.S. Over that century, the association has helped growers navigate changes in markets, technology, consumer demand and sustainability, forging a pathway toward a healthier and more resilient agricultural industry.

As we celebrate this centennial, it’s worth pausing to reflect on one critical but often underappreciated aspect of that journey: packaging. Packaging is how we protect, transport and present produce from farm to table, and it has had a huge transformation over the past 100 years.

In 1926, long before refrigerated trucks or widespread consumer supermarkets, produce packaging was simple: wooden crates, ice-packed railcars and limited branding. Getting lettuce from Salinas to New York in 1919 was an extraordinary feat of ingenuity and an early signal that fresh produce supply chains were beginning to stretch across the continent.

Over the decades, packaging has moved from basic containment to highly engineered systems that extend shelf life, reduce waste and respond to both logistical and environmental demands. Mid-century innovations, such as vacuum cooling and shrink-wrapping lettuce, significantly reduced spoilage and improved quality, shifting packaging from a protective wrapper to a quality-preserving technology. In addition, produce like lettuce and oranges were being switched from wooden crates to cardboard boxes which, were lighter, easier to break down and recyclable.

“By 1954, 75 percent of all lettuce harvested in the Salinas- Watsonville district was vacuum cooled,” reported The Packer’s 100 Years of Produce: Remembering the 1950s.

World War II accelerated a shift toward synthetic materials, especially plastics, as the U.S. worked to conserve metals, glass and other natural resources in manufacturing and shipping. By 1952, Sambrailo Packaging partnered with Driscoll’s and others to introduce pulp baskets wrapped in cling film for strawberries.

By the 1970s, synthetic bins and pallets were increasingly used for fresh produce with lighter weighted designs (up to 40 percent lighter than wood) that incorporated ventilation to reduce spoilage.

In the early 1980s, plastic packaging, particularly clamshell containers, began to rise and reshape produce distribution. These innovations enabled delicate crops like berries to travel greater distances without damage, unlocking year-round availability and expanding access to national markets in ways previously unimaginable.

Today, packaging innovation continues to push forward. We see modified-atmosphere packaging (MAP) fine-tuning internal gas levels to slow aging and reduce decay. Bio-based and edible coatings are extending the shelf life of certain fruits like avocados, while compostable labels and recyclable films are helping the industry respond to evolving sustainability goals and regulatory expectations.

What once simply held produce now plays a multifaceted role. Packaging protects quality, supports marketing and branding, extends shelf life, reduces food waste and reflects both environmental and consumer expectations.

As Western Growers marks 100 years of service, the evolution of packaging shows how far we’ve come and what lies ahead as we continue to advance scientifically sound, achievable and sustainable packaging guidelines for the fresh produce industry.

“This is the most beautiful place on earth.”

There are many such places, however, our unique Western landscapes, steeped in ruggedness and history, have long inspired writers, outdoorsmen, farmers and stewards of the land, alike. As Edward Abbey said, “I stand for what I stand on.”

The frontiersman of 100 years ago who journeyed to the West saw an infinite expanse, a chaotic force to be tamed. But as farming has advanced from mule-drawn plows to GPS-guided precision, today’s frontiersman have traded the pursuit of conquest for that of stewardship. Modern farmers recognize the greatest feat of the next hundred years won’t be finding ways to break the land, but ensuring it never breaks.

Conservation in agriculture is often synonymized with the Soil Conservation Service (SCS), established in 1935, now called the Natural Resources and Conservation Service (NRCS), out of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The agency was born out of the historic Dust Bowl, implemented to protect and conserve natural resources, particularly soil and water, and continues to support farmers in their conservation efforts to this day. Western Growers members also work alongside NGO partners to conserve natural resources, protect farmland from development and facilitate programs to champion farmers to continue to be the best stewards of the land. A few of our key partners include:

• American Farmland Trust (AFT): Known for their “No Farms, No Food” mission, AFT focuses specifically on keeping working lands in production.
• The Nature Conservancy (TNC): TNC works to protect water quality and biodiversity, often partnering with producers on large-scale grazing or water-rights projects.
• Trust for Public Land (TPL): TPL is a leader in creating conservation easements to ensure the land is kept open and undeveloped.
• California Rangeland Trust (CRT): A rancher-led organization that has protected hundreds of thousands of acres of open space while keeping cattle on the land.
• Pollinator Partnership (P2): Protecting the health of pollinating animals, including bees and butterflies, and their ecosystems through the combination of science-based conservation, large-scale habitat restoration, public education and global policy collaboration.
• California Marine Sanctuary Foundation (CMSF): Protecting and restoring coastal and ocean ecosystems throughout California by implementing science-based, practical solutions.
• CDFA Health Soils Program (HSP): Supporting farmers and ranchers to incorporate new sustainable agricultural practices into their farming systems.
• USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS): The primary vehicle for federal public funding, with several programs that support on-farm improvements, including:
  • Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP): Provides financial and technical assistance to address natural resource concerns, such as improving water quality or reducing soil erosion.
  • Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP): Designed for farmers already implementing conservation practices looking to maintain their conservation efforts.

Regenerative for the Future

Western Growers members have long been leaders in agricultural conservation. One such project is the Braga Ranch Regenerative Farming Program, a collaborative initiative inspiring the future of conservation through regenerative agricultural practices. This project implements reduced tillage and permanent cover crops to improve soil health, sequester carbon and protect ocean ecosystems. Through a three-year California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) HSP, the project successfully demonstrated significant environmental benefits, including a 36.8 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions and a 57 percent decrease in tractor passes compared to traditional organic farming.

“At Braga Ranch, a hundred years of farming has taught us that long-term success begins with healthy soil,” said Jaylen Calabro, Sustainability Specialist at Braga Fresh. “Our regenerative certification and Healthy Soils Project with the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation put that belief into action. We’re seeing stronger root systems, better water movement through the soil, less disturbance in the field and soils that are storing more carbon. Early results are encouraging, and they show that when large-scale farmers take a conservation-focused approach, we build resilience, improve efficiency and care for the planet while feeding people.”

“Conservation in agriculture, specifically in the Salinas Valley, has changed immensely over the last 100 years,” said Taylor van Rossum, Agriculture Water Quality Program Coordinator at CMSF. “In the 1920s, the region saw a huge expansion of lettuce and other row crops, leading to a rapid increase in irrigation. As agriculture and water usage grew throughout the years, so did water quality impairment issues. For the past 30 years, the California Marine Sanctuary Foundation’s Water Quality Protection Program has worked closely with growers in the Salinas Valley to implement voluntary measures that improve water quality and protect the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. We continue to work with farmers today to improve ocean health by reducing pollutants entering coastal waterways and sequestering greenhouse gases. Our Reduced Tillage project with Braga Ranch proves that small changes in working land management can greatly impact soil health, local watersheds and coastal waters. We are proud to work with companies like Braga Ranch, who are scaling up regenerative practices and leading the way for growers in the Salinas Valley to adopt healthy soils practices that protect both people and the planet.”

Protecting Nature for the Future

P2 programs work in collaboration with farmers to protect pollinators, their habitats and agricultural productivity. Through their Bee Friendly Farming (BFF) initiative, a certification program that integrates science-based conservation directly into working lands, farmers can implement essential habitat features, including diverse floral strips, nesting sites and integrated pest management (IPM) strategies to support honey bees and native pollinators. In collaboration with California almond growers, P2 integrates conservation into commercial farming by supporting growers to establish and maintain flowering cover crops and permanent hedgerows, ensuring bees have diverse food sources and nesting habitats. These projects actively enhance crop yields and soil health, proving that productive agriculture and robust pollinator ecosystems can thrive together.

Through their USDA funded Farmer-to-Farmer Collaboration, California producers are provided with technical and financial support to implement practices, including IPM and prescribed grazing to protect soil and pollinators. “These collaborative efforts are the key to a resilient food system,” said Miles Dakin, Co- Director of Agricultural Programs at P2. “The conservation of pollinators is not just an environmental goal; it’s a vital component of sustainable agriculture. By fostering collaboration between land managers, scientists and the public, we can ensure that our landscapes remain productive and resilient for generations to come.”

This partnership model proves that conservation and high-yield agriculture can coexist. In California, the initiative has successfully scaled up through the California Pollinator Coalition, providing farmers with technical expertise and financial incentives to adopt integrated pest management. By bridging the gap between industry and ecology, P2 ensures that the “small but mighty” workers of the field are protected, securing the future of both the environment and the global food supply.

Preserving Farmland for the Future

An imminent threat to the sustainability of agriculture is the loss of farmland. Preserving farmland is essential to maintaining agricultural productivity and livelihoods. Further, open lands provide critical environmental services by recharging groundwater, sequestering carbon and protecting the biodiversity of local ecosystems. “Across the country, protecting working lands is essential to sustaining the landscapes that keep rural economies strong and maintain rural communities’ way of life,” said Jim Petterson, Vice President of the Mountain West Region at TPL. “By partnering with farming and ranching families to conserve their land while thoughtfully expanding public access, where appropriate, for recreation, we can ensure these lands continue to support agriculture, water resources and the outdoor traditions that define our nation.”

Across Arizona, Colorado and California, TPL has spearheaded numerous conservation efforts to safeguard working ranches, restore vital ecosystems and expand public recreational access. Among their many projects, TPL is working with Alphabet Farms in California’s Imperial Valley to establish agricultural conservation easements on five key ranches, preventing development and securing essential wildlife habitats. Guillermo Rodriguez, Vice President of the Pacific Region at TPL, said, “Protecting working lands and farmland not only keeps land in production vital to California’s economy—it’s also a critical strategy for safeguarding biodiversity and building climate resilience for many communities. By protecting and conserving working lands in ways that also provide responsible public access, we can bolster wildlife habitat, support natural landscapes and ensure these lands continue to benefit both ecosystems and the economy for generations to come.”

From restoring wetlands at Cienega Ranch and securing historic access at Cross F Ranch to preserving massive ecological corridors like Wind Wolves Preserve and Temescal Ranch, these initiatives reflect a unified strategy of partnering with landowners and key stakeholders to balance agricultural productivity with lasting environmental stewardship.

The Future of Conservation in Agriculture

“Over the last 100 years, agriculture has evolved tremendously as growers have adapted to new challenges, new technologies, changing expectations and increasing demand,” said Nikki Cossio, CEO at Measure to Improve. “But sustainability has always been a cornerstone of agriculture, driven by the need to maintain productivity, efficiency and long-term viability.”

She continued: “Today, the focus is not just on the work happening in the field, but also on making sure that work can be measured, documented and recognized across the supply chain. Projects like the Advancing Markets for Producers (AMP) grant project are important because they support growers directly while helping the industry document practices in a practical way. At Measure to Improve, our work focuses on helping growers and supply-chain partners turn farm-level work into credible information for reporting, supply-chain requests and expanding market opportunities.”

Josette Lewis, CEO of Sustainable Conservation, a non-profit that focuses on accelerating habitat restoration, improving water quality and groundwater management, as well as promoting sustainable agricultural practices, said, “Over the past century, agriculture has evolved from a primary focus on production to a growing recognition that long-term success depends on healthy soils, resilient water systems, and thriving ecosystems. In 2026, conservation is ingrained in the day-to-day decisions farmers make because the viability of their operations and the health of the land are inseparable.”

For many Western Growers members, the goal is simple: keep the land productive, healthy and protected for the next generation. As we celebrate 100 years of Western Growers supporting the fresh produce industry, we celebrate the foresight of the farmers and our conservation partners who recognized the importance of conserving and sustaining the next century of agriculture and our farming families.

The future of Johnston Farms was once a young girl riding her bike through a packing house while her father Dennis loaded produce onto nearby trucks. Today, that girl is Jaclyn Johnston-Green, who is helping to lead a fourth-generation family operation nestled at the base of the Tehachipi Mountains in California.

With nearly 80 years of history behind it, Johnston Farms is entering a new chapter, guided by a generation determined to preserve its roots while navigating the evolving landscape that is California agriculture. That generation includes Johnston-Green along with her cousins, Derek and Ryan.

The Johnston family story began in 1947, when J.C. Johnston retired from the railroad, moved his family from Oregon to Kern County and invested his life savings into a potato crop. It was a risky gamble that most people wouldn’t have taken, but it ultimately paid off.

Johnston Farms would continue to grow its operations to include a potato packing house in 1955, a citrus packing facility in 1982 and a bell pepper facility in 1990, gradually building the diversified agricultural business that exists today. The family manages roughly 3,500 acres, including potatoes, carrots, bell peppers, almonds and citrus.

In reality, like most farmers, Johnston-Green wears many hats. Her responsibilities span nearly every aspect of the operation; she oversees the citrus packing house, helps with managing field logistics, handles human resources and often navigates the complex regulatory landscape that comes with farming in California.

“It’s a mishmash of everything,” she said.

But working on the farm wasn’t always part of Johnston-Green’s plan. After leaving home, she attended college in Colorado and later built a career in the Bay Area. At the time, multiple family members were already working at the farm, and she wasn’t sure there would be a clear role for her.

“I didn’t want to be one of many,” she said. “I wanted to make my own path first.”

Eventually, as family roles shifted and opportunities opened, Johnston-Green returned home. What started as a small step back into the family business quickly evolved into a leadership role.

Johnston-Green jokes that her job description is very simple: “I basically do everything my father no longer wants to do anymore.”

Family, First and Always

The Johnston family’s citrus business—Johnston Farms—has evolved dramatically over the decades. When its orange packing house was built in the 1980s, the facility processed roughly 150 to 200 bins of fruit per day. Today, the business is managed by two generations of family—Dennis Johnston, his nephew Derek Vaughn and Jaclyn; and Kevin Johnston and his son Ryan—and can handle as many as 550 bins daily.

Despite the growth, one thing has remained constant: Johnston Farms is still entirely family-run.

“It’s just our family,” Johnston-Green said. “And the fact that we all still get along says a lot.”

Working alongside relatives every day might be challenging for some businesses, but Johnston-Green says the shared sense of purpose helps keep the operation moving forward.

“I’ve had jobs where you dread going to work,” she said. “I’ve never felt that here.”

Carving Her Own Row

As a woman working in agriculture, Johnston-Green has also seen firsthand how the industry is changing. While farming has historically been male dominated, she said progress is being made.

“There are still moments where someone will say something off the cuff about ‘women these days’ and then realize they said it to my face. But in the last 10 years, I’ve seen a huge improvement,” she said.

Support from colleagues and industry partners has helped shift those dynamics.

“I’ve had a lot of people step up and demand that I’m treated with respect, and I think the number of women entering agriculture gives me a lot of hope.”

Hope is something Johnston-Green sees not only in the industry’s changing culture, but also in the next generation, including her own daughter.

Like many farm families, the Johnstons think in long timelines, Johnston-Green explained. The decisions they make today are often about ensuring the land remains productive for decades to come.

“We want the option to still be here,” she said. “If my daughter wants to farm someday, we want that opportunity to exist.”

Part of that legacy already lives on in the farm’s citrus brand. During the holidays, Johnston Farms ships gift boxes of Satsuma mandarins under the Blue Jay label, and customers often share memories tied to the fruit.

“We’ll have people come in and say, ‘I grew up eating these every Christmas.’ Now they’re buying them for their own families,” Johnston-Green said.

These moments reinforce the deep connection between farmers and the communities they feed, she explained.

“It’s really special to see that generational recognition. I’d love for that to continue—to have people who grew up with our fruit now sharing it with their kids.”

Farming in California is not without challenges. Water availability, regulations and shifting markets all add layers of complexity to an already demanding profession. But Johnston- Green remains optimistic.

“If you refuse to be optimistic, farming’s not for you. After all, farming has always been about persistence. You don’t get into this because it’s easy. You do it because you love it,” she said.

And nearly 80 years after J.C. Johnston took his first leap of faith on a potato crop, that passion is still driving Johnston Farms forward.