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 […]
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FIRA USA’s Offer to Young Companies and Start-ups
The FIRA USA is ramping up toward its Sept. 19-21 event happening at the Salinas Sports Complex. Young companies and start-ups in the agtech arena can now secure an exhibit area, a spot on the directory and two access badges for the full three-day event. Register with Emma Fullager at [email protected] by July 24th. The FIRA USA event that will bring together the agtech automation…
The 2023 Salinas Biological Summit Draws Key Players
The 2023 Salinas Biological Summit kicked off its inaugural debut by drawing key growers, startups, investors, representatives and educators for two days of connection, conversation and plans. Speakers at the event included Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers; Karen Ross, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture; Don Cameron, Vice President and General…
Mark Borman, President Taylor Farms California, to Speak at the June Salinas Biological Summit
With over 25 years of experience as the President of Taylor Farms, Mark Borman will be sharing valuable grower-operation insight at the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit. The pride that Mark takes in being part of the growth at Taylor Farms is exemplified in the success and much-loved products created by Taylor Farms. In his role, he has guided the development of a company that’s innovative in…
Hear Dr. Helene Dillard at the Salinas Biological Summit
Dr. Helene Dillard will be bringing her expertise to the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit on June 20-12, 2023. In her time serving as the Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at the University of California Davis, Helene has led the College to achieve a No. 1 ranking in agriculture in the nation for the past seven years. She completed her B.S. degree in biology of…
Christine Birdsong, Undersecretary for the CDFA, Talks Sustainable Pest Management Solutions on This Week’s Voices of the Valley
Undersecretary for the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Christine Birdsong joins Dennis Donohue and Candace Wilson on this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley to discuss her role and initiatives to support California agriculture on key points like sustainable pest management, water (whether drought or flood), supply chain difficulties and an aging workforce. Birdsong…
Stay Informed. Sign Up for the Colorado River Shortage Briefing
In a joint event, the Arizona Department of Water Resources and the Central Arizona Project (CAP) are hosting a Colorado River shortage briefing on Friday, May 5, 2023 from 9 – 11 am PDT. The agenda will include a Colorado River hydrology update; the 2024 Lakes Mead and Powell projected operations; and a 2024 water delivery outlook. The briefing will be held at the CAP headquarters in the…
Amazon Web Services’ Elizabeth Fastiggi on Guiding the Industry to be More Predictive with Agtech Innovation
Elizabeth Fastiggi, Head of Worldwide Business Development for Amazon Web Services, joins Dennis Donohue and Candace Wilson on this episode of Voices of the Valley to discuss the role she has in supporting innovation to connect all areas along the agricultural supply chain. “That’s what our company at AWS is doing, helping customers innovate more quickly and move much faster as it relates to…
The Salinas Biological Summit is Almost Here! Register for This Premier Event
Attend the first-ever Salinas Biological Summit happening on June 20-21, 2023 at CSU Monterey Bay’s Salinas City Center. Co-presented by Western Growers and New Zealand-based agrifood tech consultancy Wharf42, the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit will provide an opportunity for growers to increase their awareness of available biological solutions to address their soil and plant needs, as well…
Produce Growers Called to Participate in CONTACT’s Preharvest Water Survey
CONTACT is asking produce growers to fill out a 10-minute anonymous survey to help collect data for the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Rutgers University to help understand ag water use in the United States. The resulting research will help researchers learn about operation and how production water is used on the farm. To participate, visit CONTACT Ag Water Survey.
Join Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Issues for Their Summit in Sacramento
On June 5, 2023, Agri-Pulse will be hosting the Food & Ag Issues Summit at the at the Sheraton Grand in Sacramento. Industry experts will address issues from everything from groundwater recharge to biologicals as well as economic outlooks within the farming industry. The theme of this event will be Navigating Uncharted Waters. Speakers include Senator Anna Caballero; Karla Nemeth,…
Western Growers Annual Meeting Early Bird Registration is Now Open!
Early bird pricing for the Western Growers Annual Meeting is open until July 31, 2023! This year’s event at the Grand Hyatt Kauai is one that you will not want to miss. Attended by key decision-makers from Western Growers member companies, the Annual Meeting brings growers, shippers and processors together with allies and suppliers in the fresh produce industry. Do not delay in…
Desert Growers Called to Offer Insight to Develop Action Plan
Desert growers are invited to share thoughts, perspectives and ideas through a six-question survey to address a drying climate. In support of the University of Arizona’s Presidential Advisory Commission on the Future of Agriculture and Good Production in a Drying Climate, the Water Resources Research Center has invited those working in desert agriculture to share industry insight to help…
VoV: Ian LeMay, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, on how Agtech Bolsters Ag Labor
Ian LeMay, President of the California Fresh Fruit Association, joins Dennis Donohue and Candace Wilson on this episode of Voices of the Valley to discuss navigating current challenges in fresh produce agriculture to reach a bright and exciting future. LeMay shares his thoughts about the two biggest challenges that fresh fruit farmers in California face: labor and…
VofV Podcast: How Bayer’s Dr. Frank Wong Overcame His Skepticism About Biologicals
Dr. Frank Wong, one of Bayer's Industry Affairs Directors, discusses his shift in opinion about biological solutions on this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley. “I would say that [during] the last two decades of my career, I’ve always been really cynical about biologics,” Frank says. In this episode, he discusses how and why he’s a recent convert on the issue. In the end, he says,…
USDA to Increase Rates for Specialty Crops Inspection Grading and Audit Services
Starting on October 1, 2023, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) will enact changes to its rates for voluntary grading, inspection, certification, auditing and laboratory services for a variety of agricultural commodities, including fruits and vegetables. According to the USDA, these increases are based on cost-based analyses that indicated the need to increase user fee rates to offset…
Join Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia for Pairwise’s Webinar Discussing the Launch of CRISPR Food
Dave Puglia, President & CEO of Western Growers, will be contributing to the conversation about the future of food on Pairwise’s webinar The Launch of CRISPR Food: What's in store for producers and retailers? on June 13, 2023, at 10 a.m. PDT. Dave will join Haven Baker, CBO and Co-Founder, Pairwise; Laurie Demeritt, Chief Executive Officer, The Hartman Group; Vonnie Estes, VP of…
Paul Brierley Nominated to Serve as the Arizona Director of the Department of Agriculture
Paul Brierley has been nominated by Governor Katie Hobbs to serve as the Arizona Director of the Department of Agriculture. As Director, Paul will be responsible for overseeing the success of Arizona’s agriculture industry and its overlap with business, natural resources and public health. Paul’s extensive experience - both working on his family farm and for farms as Director of…
Asking the Right Questions with Josh Ruiz, Senior Director of Ag Technology and Innovation, on Voices of the Valley
Josh Ruiz, Senior Director of Ag Technology and Innovation at Duda Farm Fresh Foods, shares how he views challenges and opportunities in his role to be an actor of change in agriculture on this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley. “Technology isn’t just about robots, machines and tractors all the time”, Ruiz says, “but sometimes it’s about being smarter and analyzing data. My…
Dr. Hillary Q. Thomas to Add Research Expertise to 2023 Salinas Biological Summit
Dr. Hillary Q. Thomas will be joining the 2023 Salinas Biological to contribute her unique problem-solving abilities to help find sustainable biological solutions. Dr. Thomas builds and implements commercial agricultural research programs and provides scientifically sound deliverables. Her strategic scientific approach helps growers and shippers meet customer and regulatory expectations in a…
Nutrien Ag Solutions’ Director of Business Development Francisco Manzano Brings Innovation Strategy Solutions to Salinas Biological Summit
Francisco Manzano, Director of Business Development for Nutrien Ag Solutions, will be speaking at the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit on June 20-21 to add his valuable input to the narrative of the future of biologicals in agriculture. Nutrien Ag Solutions is the retail business of Nutrien, the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services. Contributing to the conversation of…