Michelle Rivera
Western Growers, Communications Manager
E: [email protected]/P: 949.885.4778 EXT 4778 Michelle Rivera serves as the Communications Manager for Western Growers, where she is responsible for ensuring effective internal and external communications for Western Growers members, industry partners and consumers across all platforms. Michelle has more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience in various industries, including adtech, consumer products […]
Posts By: Michelle Rivera
- All
- July, 2026
- May, 2026
- April, 2026
- March, 2026
- February, 2026
- January, 2026
- December, 2025
- November, 2025
- October, 2025
- September, 2025
- August, 2025
- July, 2025
- June, 2025
- May, 2025
- April, 2025
- March, 2025
- February, 2025
- January, 2025
- December, 2024
- November, 2024
- October, 2024
- September, 2024
- August, 2024
- July, 2024
- June, 2024
- May, 2024
- April, 2024
- March, 2024
- February, 2024
- January, 2024
- December, 2023
- November, 2023
- October, 2023
- September, 2023
- August, 2023
- July, 2023
- June, 2023
- May, 2023
- April, 2023
- March, 2023
- January, 2023
- December, 2022
- November, 2022
- October, 2022
Arizona Department of Agriculture Welcomes USDA’s $263 Million Investment in Farm Commodities
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) welcomed the announcement made by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to purchase $263 million in agricultural commodities using its Section 32 authority, noting that the investment will help stabilize markets by channeling locally produced goods into federal food programs. The investment creates direct market opportunities for producers in…
Lina Quesada-Ocampo to Lead IR-4 Project as Executive Director
Lina Quesada-Ocampo, a vegetable pathologist and Extension specialist at North Carolina State University, has been named the next Executive Director of the IR-4 Project, effective March 9. IR-4, a federally funded program headquartered at NC State, supports specialty crop growers nationwide by facilitating the registration of safe and effective pest management tools for fruits, vegetables,…
What You Need to Know About the USDA Specialty Crop Economic Relief Program
UPDATE (March 31, 2026): The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced the agency is reopening the 2025 crop acreage reporting period required for specialty crop producers who want to apply for the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program. The deadline has changed from March 13 to April 24, 2026. ______ The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has released key details…
Western Growers 2025 Year in Review Now Available
The Western Growers 2025 Year in Review is now available online. The Year in Review 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 H-2A Western Growers…
Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Accepting Applications Until March 6
The Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) grant manual is now available and applications are being accepted. The grant application deadline is 10:59:59 p.m. (PST) / 11:59:59 p.m. (MST) Friday, March 6, 2026. All applications must be submitted online. The purpose of this program is to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops in Arizona. The Arizona Department of Agriculture…
Western Growers Innovation Launches New AgTech Newsletter
Want an inside look at how innovators, growers and industry partners are working together to advance technology in agriculture? The Western Growers Innovation Team has launched a new weekly agtech newsletter focused on technology shaping specialty crops. From agtech trends and developments to hands-on case studies and industry events, the Western Growers Innovation Team keeps you informed on the…
Western Grower & Shipper Magazine Q1 2026 Digital Edition is Available Now
The Q1 2026 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available for online viewing. The issue features the articles, "A More Inclusive Definition of Public Benefit in Water Infrastructure," "A New Voice for the Collective: Chair Rob Yraceburu Leads Western Growers into its 100th Anniversary," "A Look Back at the Western Growers 2025 Annual Meeting" and more. Find the…
From One Acre to 200 Farms: How Lumo is Redefining Smart Irrigation
When Lumo Founder Devon Wright walked onto the AgSharks® pitch stage at the 99th Western Growers Annual Meeting, he never would have guessed he was moments away from winning the 2025 Audience Choice Award. He certainly didn’t feel like a winner. In fact, he actually felt terrible. “I was sick that day,” Wright said with a laugh. “I woke up late. I took a bunch of medicine and thought…