WGCIT Resident: Carbon Friendly Carbon Friendly (CF) is dedicated to supporting growers in being recognized and rewarded for adopting regenerative farming practices under the principle that “sustainability must pay to be sustainable.” CF establishes value pathways for growers, either through carbon income to fund regenerative practices or by positioning them as differentiated suppliers…
Desert Control, an international company headquartered in Norway, has been making waves in the agricultural sector with its groundbreaking Liquid Natural Clay (LNC) technology. Inspired by the fertile region around the Nile River Valley in Egypt that lost its water control capability over time, Desert Control has developed a solution that is now in high demand in the Western U.S., particularly…
Thomas Nunes V (known in the industry as “T5”) visited the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) to address agtech startups for our first ‘Lunch & Learn’ of the year. He spoke about his connection to farming and family, joking about finally “using his Ivy League education.” T5 played football while studying at Cornell University. He was especially close…
Founded in 2014, FarmX emerged with a mission to tackle the pressing issues of irrigation, fertilization and water management in California’s agricultural sector. What began with an innovative soil moisture probe has evolved into a comprehensive suite of technological tools, thanks to a series of groundbreaking innovations and strategic mergers. A Trusted Advisor for Growers Today,…
Western Growers members and staff played a pivotal role at the 2024 Organic Grower Summit in Monterey, Calif. last week. The event commenced with a panel discussion titled “Will Agtech Make Organic Farms More Profitable?” Moderated by Walt Duflock, SVP of Innovation for Western Growers, the panel featured insights from Bartley Walker, Daniel Bernstein and Larry Jacobs. Another notable…
The November Lunch and Learn event at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) featured an insightful presentation by Gina Colfer, a licensed Pest Control Advisor (PCA) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) with a specialty in sustainability. WGCIT Director Dennis Donohue served as the emcee while Colfer shared her extensive experience and knowledge in organic farming and…
Since its inception in 1998, New Age Labs (NAL) has been a beacon of innovation and support for the agricultural community. With a focus on providing farmers with tangible returns on investment, NAL has become the premier North American laboratory for plant sap analysis, a testament to their commitment to enhancing the quality and yield of crops. Their mission, “to provide analytical data with…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas welcomed Ann Donahue, Director of Marketing and Communications for Western Growers, as the speaker for its September Lunch & Learn event. The special event focused on media training for the representatives from the 20 agtech startups in attendance. With her extensive background as an entertainment journalist, Ann…
David Gill's journey in agriculture is a testament to the enduring spirit of innovation and resilience in the farming community. His early experiences on the family farm laid the foundation for a robust career that has spanned decades, marked by the establishment of successful ventures, such as David Gill Ranch, Rio Farms and Gill's Onions. His commitment to the industry is evident not only…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas hosted its May Lunch & Learn, featuring Tony Alameda of Topflavor Farms. Dennis Donohue, Executive Director of the WGCIT, introduced Tony to a packed house of agtech startups, reminiscing about his radicchio sales days when Tony achieved double the yields on a challenging chicory crop. This success solidified…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas hosted its May Lunch & Learn last week, featuring Tony Alameda of Topflavor Farms. Dennis Donohue, Executive Director of the WGCIT, introduced Tony to a packed house of agtech startups, reminiscing about his radicchio sales days when Tony achieved double the yields on a challenging chicory crop. This success…
The March Lunch & Learn at the Center for Innovation and Technology featured Del Monte Fresh’s Vice President of Agricultural Operations, Craig Johnson. Johnson shed light on the intricate dynamics of farming year-round and its implications on the industry and eloquently emphasized the significance of understanding seasonality in agriculture, highlighting how it shapes the rhythm of…