Kara Timmins
Western Growers, Communications Manager
E: [email protected]/P:949.241.5337 Kara Timmins is the Communications Manager for Western Growers. She has worked in marketing and publishing for over ten years. She has a keen interest in biological evolution and how science can be used to find solutions to human issues. Kara received her undergraduate degree in Anthropology from the University of […]
Posts By: Kara Timmins
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Stuart Woolf Takes Over as Chair of Western Growers
As Albert Keck passed the gavel representing the position of chair of the board to Stuart Woolf at the 2023 Western Growers annual meeting in Kauai, Hawaii, in November, it was more than a handoff of the role. It was a clear view into how deep the bench is in the Western Growers board for leadership. Though a new chair of the board may mean a different tone in guidance, the collaborative and…
How AliBio Creates Systems for Crops to Thrive Amid Environmental Pressures
For AliBio, structures and systems are at the core of what they offer. The microbial systems they offer parallel the complexity of the systems created by the agricultural industry in order to feed the world’s population. By selecting the most capable microorganisms and analyzing millions of data from their genetics and metabolism, AliBio has a clear mission: provide a product that can help…
Bio S.I. and Rebuilding the Soil with the ‘Good Guys’
Farmers are often called stewards of the land–and more than ever before, the public is paying attention to how these stewards maintain the health of the imperceptibly small components of soil. The team at Bio S.I. has a keen eye on that soil as well. In the inoculant field since the ‘90s and incorporated in 2006, Bio S.I produces microbial products that help rebuild, restore and renew soil…
Rancho Cielo Gives Youth Navigating Challenges a Boost with New Agtech Program
Omar Amezola, a student at Rancho Cielo in Salinas, Calif. was amazed by one technology in particular when he attended the 2023 FIRA USA event in September with his classmates. “I saw all these different kinds of drones and what they did,” Amezola said. “I went to go ask what they did, and they said that it looks at the plants and it uses x-ray vision and it looks under the…
New Voices of the Valley: Food Safety Scientists’ Perspective on Buying Produce for Their Families
Western Growers food safety scientists Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President, Science & Technology, and Joelle Mosso, Associate Vice President, Science Programs, discuss their perspective and insight when it comes to buying fresh produce for their children. Hear about how to get information from trusted sources regarding food safety from two food safety experts as well as what the future…
Western Growers Science and Innovation Team Members Visit Australia and New Zealand
Western Growers Dennis Donohue, Center for Innovation and Technology Director, and Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director, visited Australia and New Zealand to meet with growers and scientists to discover and understand opportunities to collaborate and learn about sustainable farming practices for vegetable production. Highlights of the trip included walking through the new Kiwifruit…
Western Grower & Shipper March/April Digital Issue Available Now
The March/April 2024 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available now. This issue includes the articles To Be Disfavored by Sacramento; Groundwater: A Tale of Two States; My Cross-Border Medical Experience in Mexico, Courtesy of WGAT; California’s Ag Overtime Law, Good Intentions, Unintended Consequences and more. The cover article features A.G. Kawamura for an…
New Voices of the Valley Episode Features Katie Chiapuzio from Braga Fresh on Bees’ Contribution to Produce
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Katie Chiapuzio, Director of Environmental Science and Resources at Braga Fresh, joins Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director, and Kara Timmins, Communications Manager, to discuss the amazing nature of bees and how they contribute to agriculture. Listen now to hear about some fun bee facts to share!
Western Growers Year in Review Now Available
The Western Growers Year in Review for 2023 is now available online. This reference shares an overview of Western Growers activities throughout the year to support and advocate for the agricultural industry. This report includes updates from the following teams: Federal and State Government Affairs Science Center for Innovation and Technology Legal Western Growers…
Resources to Help Eradicate Exotic Fruit Fly Infestation
Though Exotic Fruit Fly (EFF), (including Mediterranean fruit fly, Oriental fruit fly, Queensland fruit fly and tau fruit fly) numbers are down, California dealt with an exceptionally high quantity and diversity of Exotic Fruit Flies this season. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) urges growers to stay vigilant in an effort to eradicate EFF. The CDFA, in cooperation with…
FTC Sues to Block Kroger-Albertsons Merger
On Feb. 26, 2024, the Federal Trade Commission sued to block Kroger Company’s $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons Companies, Inc. alleging that the deal is anti-competitive. Announced in the fall 2022, Kroger’s agreement to purchase 100 percent of Albertsons would mean the merger of the No. 1 and No. 2 largest grocery store chains. According to the FTC’s case “the destruction of…
Growers Receive Free Entry to FIRA USA 2024
The third annual FIRA USA event is scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2024, in Woodland/Sacramento, Calif. FIRA USA will showcase over 35 robots demonstrating advancements in agricultural automation solutions in three demonstration zones of vegetables, orchards and vineyards. The exhibition hall will include 70+ indoor booths. For the first time, growers will be able to attend FIRA USA for…
USDA NASS Releases Arizona Annual Vegetables Report
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released the Arizona Annual Vegetables Report summary for 2023. Some key findings from the report: Arizona harvested 68,500 acres of lettuce in 2023, up 5 percent from the 65,000 acres harvested in 2022. Arizona produced 22.06 million hundredweight (cwt) of lettuce in 2023, with a value of utilized lettuce production of…
NOSB Comment Period Open for Recommendations Regarding Organics
The National Organics Standards Board (NOSB) is accepting comments until April 3, 2024 regarding recommendations for USDA organics standards. The NOSB will be meeting in Milwaukee in April 2024; written comments and requests to provide oral comments must be submitted before the meetings. Meeting Details Online Comment Webinars (2 days): April 23 & 25, 2024, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm…
CDFA Seeks Volunteers to Provide Feedback About New Portal
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is calling for volunteers to assess their system pilot trial. They are seeking participants who can help evaluate the new Produce Safety Program Farm Database Repository and provide feedback on their experience. Participants must have undergone a FSMA Produce Safety Rule farm inspection. Those who volunteer will be able to provide…
Colorado Department of Agriculture Accepting Applications for The Small Food Business Recovery and Resilience Grant
The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is accepting applications for their second and final round for The Small Food Business Recovery and Resilience Grant. This grant is the second round in an effort to increase access to and lower prices for healthy food in low income, low access areas in the state of Colorado by supporting small food retailers and small family farms. Small retailers…
Ben Palone, New Director of Commercialization for Western Growers, Hosts Center’s Lunch & Learn
The February Lunch & Learn event at Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) was an opportunity for participants to meet Ben Palone, Western Growers new Director of Commercialization, and hear about his background and the progress of agtech solutions. The event welcomed attendees from Bio SI Technology, Alibio, LahakX, IFPA, FarmWise, Verdant, GeoVisual Analytics, Solare…
Apply for Conservation Stewardship Program by March 22 for Financial Conservation Support
The Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) can help growers develop or build upon conservation activities that integrate with agricultural operations. Practices include cover crops, ecologically based pest management practices, and buffer strips help producers improve soil health while protecting water quality, habitats for pollinator and beneficial insect, to name a few. To apply for…
Hank Giclas Family Visits the WG Center for Innovation and Technology
Hank Giclas’ son Henry Giclas IV and wife Kathy Giclas visited Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology to see how Hank’s vision and legacy is continuing to thrive and advance technological advantages for the agricultural industry. This is their first visit to the center. Though Hank passed away in 2022, the work he did to make the Western Growers CIT and science department a…
Western Growers CIT Hosts Roundtable to Support Drone and Automation Advancement
Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (CIT) hosted a roundtable discussion with Taylor Farms, D’Arrigo, and Steinbeck Country to connect with the Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) initiative to discuss the workforce challenges growers are facing. The Monterey Bay Drone, Automation and Robotics Technology (DART) initiative aligns with the CIT’s…