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
Celebrate Sonny Rodriguez, Award of Honor Recipient, at the 2024 Western Growers Annual Meeting in Scottsdale
Western Growers is set to honor The Growers Company President and CEO, Sonny Rodriguez, with the 2024 Award of Honor at our 98th Annual Meeting in November. The Award of Honor is WG’s most esteemed award, given to honor individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community. Though this award is typically presented to growers for whom this association was created in 1926,…
Agrology’s Innovative Solutions for Carbon Sequestration and Sustainable Agriculture
The topic of carbon capture is increasingly important as the carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in our atmosphere reach record highs. The Paris Agreement, enacted on Nov. 4, 2016, saw nearly 200 countries commit to limiting global temperature increases to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aim to cap the rise at 1.5°C. Achieving this requires significant efforts to limit global…
Agrology’s Innovative Solutions for Carbon Sequestration and Sustainable Agriculture
The topic of carbon capture is increasingly important as the carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in our atmosphere reach record highs. The Paris Agreement, enacted on Nov. 4, 2016, saw nearly 200 countries commit to limiting global temperature increases to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with an aim to cap the rise at 1.5°C. Achieving this requires significant efforts to limit global…
WGCIT Startup Helps Unlock New Secrets to Plant Growth
The world’s population is projected to reach nearly 9.77 billion by 2050, requiring our world’s growers to increase their yields by more than 60 percent to keep up with demand, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Experts project that production in developing countries will need to nearly double their output. To meet these demands growers will need to increase the amount of…
Western Growers 2024 Annual Meeting: Events Highlight Preview
The 98th Western Growers Annual Meeting will be held at the luxurious JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona, from November 3-6. Here's a sneak peek at the activities scheduled for this year's event: Sunday, November 3 5:00 p.m. - Welcome Reception. Monday, November 4 8:00 a.m. - Board of Directors Meeting, open to Board Members, WG Members and…
Western Grower & Shipper July/August Digital Issue Available Now
The July/August 2024 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is now available online. This issue features the articles “A Hopeful Moment for California’s Reservoir Projects,” “Wonderful Nurseries Challenges AB 113,” “Agrology’s Innovative Solutions for Carbon Sequestration and Sustainable Agriculture” and more. The cover article features Paul Mikesell,…
SAFER Advisory Group Membership Application Period Open
Applications for the Safe and Affordable Funding of Equity and Resilience (SAFER) Advisory Group are now open! The State Water Board’s Safe and Affordable Funding for Equity and Resilience (SAFER) drinking water program aims to ensure that safe and affordable drinking water is available to Californians as quickly as possible. The SAFER program supports water systems in reaching these goals…
Western Growers Hosts Plant and Food Research for Membership Tour
This week, Western Growers welcomed industry colleagues at Plant and Food Research for a comprehensive tour showcasing a handful of innovative agricultural operations. At Plant and Food Research, they are using world-leading science to improve the way we grow, harvest and share food. With over 1,000 people working across Aotearoa New Zealand and the globe to help deliver foods from our most…
Western Growers Science Team Honored to Receive IAFP Most Viewed Peer-Reviewed Research Publication Award
The editorial board of Food Protection Trends congratulates the Western Growers Science Team on their paper, “Fresh Produce Harvesting Equipment – A Review of Cleaning and Sanitizing Practices and Related Science,” for winning the 2024 Most Viewed Peer-Reviewed Publication Award. The award will be presented at The International Association for Food Protection (IAFP) meeting on July 17,…
A Buzzworthy Celebration: Pollinator Week 2024 Celebrates Role of Pollinators in Agriculture
Pollinators, bees in particular, are indispensable to farming, ensuring we are able to enjoy fresh fruits and vegetables year-round. Their tireless work contributes to more than $18 billion in crop production revenue annually. Over 100 crops grown in the U.S., including almonds, berries, melons and squash, depend on these vital pollinators. Bees visit flower after flower, collecting and…
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, Calif. on Jan. 30, 2024. 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 the…
Western Grower & Shipper May/June Digital Issue Available Now
The May/June 2024 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available for online viewing. This issue includes the articles “Spiraling Labor Cost and the Opportunities Lost”; “Growing the Global Network: Western Growers Visits New Zealand and Australia”; “WGCIT Startup Helps Unlock New Secrets to Plant Growth” and more. The cover article features Joe Pezzini,…
WG Annual Meeting Sponsorship Opportunities Available
The Western Growers’ 98th Annual Meeting will take place on November 3-6 at the JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona. This event brings growers, shippers and processors together with allies and suppliers in the fresh industry. The following tiered sponsorship opportunities are available: [SOLD OUT – Inquire about waitlist] Diamond Sponsors enjoy…
Western Growers Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration is Now Open
Secure your pass at a discounted rate for Western Growers' 98th Annual Meeting when you register before August 30, 2024. Act fast to take advantage of early bird registration! You won’t want to miss this year’s event at the luxurious JW Marriot Scottsdale Camelback Inn & Spa! Join key decision-makers from Western Growers member companies as the Annual Meeting brings growers, shippers…
Agriculture Energy Savings Action Plan Services and Incentives Available
Growers often experience extreme water and energy demands, resulting in heavy financial burdens. The Agriculture Energy Savings Action Plan (AESAP) services agricultural electrical and gas customers in the Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) service area and employs energy efficient practices to reduce costs to growers and boost their bottom line. Program Offerings Include: ●…
The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation Hosts 2024 Alumni Conference
The California Agricultural Leadership Foundation (CALF) will be hosting its 2024 Alumni Conference this June in Monterey, in conjunction with the 2024 International Leadership Alumni Conference (ILAC). In addition to connecting hundreds of industry leaders from the U.S. and abroad, this event will feature sessions and a valuable lineup of speakers including USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester…
Keynote Speakers Announced for 2024 Salinas Biological Summit
Following the success of the inaugural 2023 event, the 2024 Salinas Biological Summit will hear from local and international experts on some of the key opportunities and challenges that growers are facing daily, such as the changing consumer and retail environments, the need to accelerate sustainable agriculture, and the realities of protection against varieties of plant diseases and insect…
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…