Julia Nellis Headshot
Julia Nellis
Social Media Manager

Julia Nellis serves as the Social Media Manager for Western Growers, where she is responsible for cultivating and maintaining the Association’s social media presence. She has experience with local government, campaign management, and social media strategies. Julia received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Political Science and Communications, respectively, from Minnesota State University, Mankato. When […]

Posts By: Julia Nellis

Voices of the Valley Available to Stream on YouTube and Spotify

Exciting news for fans of Voices of the Valley! The podcast is back with a fresh new look and is now available for streaming on both Spotify and YouTube. In this season's debut episode, "2024 Look Ahead: Agriculture's Biggest Challenges," Center of Innovation and Technology Director Dennis Donohue and Environment and Climate Director Jeana Cadby lead a compelling discussion on the industry's…

As SB 1383 Deadline Approaches, Food Banks Request Grower Help to Fight Food Waste

In April 2022, the United Nations issued a climate report sounding the alarm for humanity. If we were to treat food waste as a hypothetical country, it would rank as the world's third-largest producer of greenhouse gases. How? Excess food ends up in landfills, where it begins to generate methane gas–and ahead of lettuce can take up to 25 years to break down. In response, California State…

Western Grower & Shipper Magazine’s January/February Digital Edition is Available Now

The January/February digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper Magazine is available for online viewing. The cover story “Stuart Woolf Takes Over as Chair of Western Growers” details the transition of leadership as Woolf assumes the role of Chair of the Board, succeeding Albert Keck. President & CEO Dave Puglia offers insights on new leadership at the U.S. Food and Drug…

CPMA Chair’s Town Hall and Reception Held in Salinas

Western Growers members joined Canadian Produce Marketing Association Chair, Colin Chapdelaine, and CPMA staff at the organization’s town hall and reception in Salinas this morning, January 30th. The group toured the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology with Executive Director Dennis Donohue, and then during the town hall discussed a multitude of topics, including updates on…

Family Games Are Back at the Western Growers Annual Meeting

Family Games are back! This year’s pinnacle event in Kauai includes a WG Hawaiian Annual Meeting Tradition. Grab the family and get ready for some fun! Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate. The Western Growers Hawaiian Family Games will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 14, starting at 2:15 in the afternoon. You can get tickets to the Western Growers 97th Annual…

Western Grower & Shipper Magazine September/October Digital Edition is Available Now

The September/October digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper Magazine is available for online viewing here. The feature article “John D’Arrigo: Celebrating the Recipient of WG’s 2023 Award of Honor” lays out John D’Arrigo’s incredible individual legacy, carved out in the framework of a multi-generational operation through effort, ingenuity and mastery. President…

Mulholland Citrus and Ratto Bros. Featured in “America’s Heartland”

The longevity and success of a family business serves as a testament to its enduring values and commitment to perseverance. Join PBS’s “America’s Heartland”, as they showcase Western Growers members Mulholland Citrus and Ratto Bros, both of which are multi generations strong. If the Mulholland name sounded familiar, you’d be correct! The family-owned and operated citrus giant is…

Western Growers Sponsors Sixth Annual AFF Safe Fruits & Veggies Farm Tour

Western Growers is proud to have sponsored the sixth annual Safe Fruits & Veggies Farm Tour hosted by the Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) last week in Monterey, California. The tour brought together a diverse group of guests, including registered dietitians, health and nutrition writers, and wellness influencers who share a passion for fostering healthy relationships with food and…

Ocean Mist Farms featured in ‘America’s Heartland’

The folks in Castroville, Calif., couldn’t be prouder of their town’s culinary treasure. When this delicious veggie snagged the title of California’s official vegetable in 2013, it put Castroville on the map for good reasons. “We’re stewards of the land. We’ve been in business nearly 100 years growing in California, and we plan to continue that legacy,” says Chris Drew,…

Woolf Farming Company Featured in “America’s Heartland”

As stewards of the land in California’s Central Valley, Woolf Farming Company is committed to employing sustainable farming practices that allow them to bring delicious, high quality specialty crops to our homes every day. The roots of Woolf Farming Company trace back to 1974 when Jack Woolf, after completing his military service in WWII, returned to the fertile San Joaquin Valley and…

Turlock Fruit in ‘America’s Heartland’

A flavorful legacy that began over 100 years ago, Turlock Fruit Company is a four-generation family farming business in California’s San Joaquin Valley. The company is renowned for its sweet-tasting melons, including cantaloupes, honey dews and mixed melons. Don Smith, along with his son Steve and his grandson Alec, actively participate in maintaining this well-oiled machine. “I think…

Solutions for Urban Agriculture and Second Harvest Food Bank Featured in “America’s Heartland”

Nestled in Irvine, a selfless farmer and a tenacious nonprofit are battling hunger and bringing a community together. A.G. Kawamura, former Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, third-generation produce grower and shipper, co-chair of Solutions for Urban Agriculture, WG Board Member and former chair (among many other titles), along with Claudia Keller, CEO of Second…

Specialty Crop Company Featured in “America’s Heartland”

In California’s vast farmland, where tradition and innovation meet, the art of growing various specialty crops showcases the region’s unique climate. PBS’s “America’s Heartland” visits Madera, Calif. to visit Specialty Crop Company and witness how its long-term diversification strategy has yielded incredible results … and even delicious produce. “This Mediterranean climate…

Mountain View Fruit and the Almond Board of California Featured in “America’s Heartland”

Explore the world of stone fruits as almonds and peaches shine in episode three of PBS’s “America’s Heartland,” featuring Western Growers members Mountain View Fruit and the Almond Board of California. In the heart of Reedley, Calif., stone fruit are a family affair. Owner of Mountain View Fruit, Mike Thurlow, along with his wife Peggy and their two children, Michael and Alexandra,…

WG Board of Directors Advocate for Ag in Washington D.C.

In an annual ritual, the WG Board of Directors and Future Volunteer Leaders visited Washington D.C. last week to advocate with our elected representatives on behalf of the agriculture industry. Coverage of the D.C. Fly-In can be found on the Western Growers LinkedIn page, as well as on the LinkedIn of Jonathan Sarager, Western Growers' Senior Director of Federal Government Affairs.