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 […]
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New Voices of the Valley: From San Francisco to the Farm with Jacie and Zac
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we sit down with Jacie Johnston Green and Zac Green of Johnston Farms and WN Citrus, a fourth-generation family operation nestled at the base of the Tehachapi Mountains. What began nearly 80 years ago with a single potato crop has grown into a diverse farm producing citrus, potatoes, peppers, carrots and more across thousands of acres. Jacie and Zac…
WG Joins State and Academic Leaders to Launch California Agricultural Research & Innovation Roadmap
A coalition of state, academic and agricultural industry partners has introduced the California Agricultural Research & Innovation Roadmap, a new blueprint designed to accelerate research, innovation and real-world adoption of next-generation tools for California agriculture. Developed collaboratively by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), University of California…
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…
Dennis Donohue Announces Retirement from Western Growers
After seven years as Director of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT), Dennis Donohue has announced his retirement, effective Jan. 30, 2026. When Dennis joined Western Growers, he brought more than 30 years of experience in agriculture and a deep passion for innovation. He has since played a critical role in the development and growth of WGCIT and was…
ADEQ Reschedules Virtual Stakeholder Meeting on Yuma PM10 Draft agBMP Rule Amendments
The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) is holding a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss updated draft rule language for the Arizona Administrative Code R18-2-613.01 Yuma PM10 Nonattainment Area; Agricultural Best Management Practices. ADEQ has canceled its Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026 online workshop to discuss updates to the draft AgBMP rule amendments. ADEQ has…
Revised Ag Expert Panel Sessions for Statewide Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is holding several upcoming working group sessions for the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel. The Panel will be discussing, evaluating and taking testimony regarding – among other regulatory issues – appropriate amounts of nitrate applications per crop and whether the state water board should establish formal…
Western Growers Mourns the Passing of Former Board Chair and Award of Honor Recipient Thomas D. Deardorff
Thomas D. Deardorff, of Deardorff Family Farms, died Jan. 5, 2026, at the age of 88. Tom was the Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors in 1979; in 2000, he received WG’s most prestigious award, the Award of Honor. In 1960, Tom began working for the Deardorff-Jackson Company alongside his grandfather, father, uncle and brother. Founded in Los Angeles in 1937, the company operated…
Report: Economic Pressures Mount for U.S. Specialty Crop Producers
A new analysis from the American Farm Bureau Federation highlights that U.S. specialty crop producers are facing significant financial strain. Despite generating more than $75 billion in annual farm-gate revenue, many of these growers are experiencing rising input, labor and compliance costs that outpace farm prices, resulting in widespread economic losses in 2025. “We appreciate this…
Highlights of the WG 2025 Annual Meeting: Browse the Photo Album
Relive the highlights, memorable moments and connections from the Western Growers 99th Annual Meeting. Didn’t get to go this year? These photos will make you feel like you didn’t miss a beat. Click here to view the complete photo album. Looking forward to the next one? Save the date! The Western Growers 100th Annual Meeting is set for Nov. 8-11, 2026 at the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii.
Western Grower & Shipper Magazine to Publish Quarterly Starting in 2026
In agriculture, timing is everything. Starting in January, the Western Grower & Shipper magazine will shift to a quarterly publishing schedule. Why the change? Simply put, we’re dedicating more space and intention to each issue to have more of an impact with our members and industry. That means more thought-provoking content. More stories from the field. More of what matters most to…
Western Growers Members Shine as Arnott Duncan Named 2025 Organic Grower of the Year at OGS
The Organic Grower Summit’s 2025 Organic Grower of the Year Award brought a fresh twist to one of the industry’s most anticipated honors. For the first time, the award was narrowed down to four worthy finalists, giving attendees a broader look at the innovation and leadership shaping the ag industry today. In a strong showing for Western Growers, two of the four finalists—Arnott Duncan…
Western Growers Testifies on Key Priorities for USMCA
As the U.S. begins its review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), Western Growers is adding its voice to the discussion. During a public hearing this week, Western Growers' Dennis Nuxoll, VP of Federal Affairs, delivered testimony outlining the priorities of the fresh produce industry and the critical role USMCA plays in supporting American growers. You can read Nuxoll's testimony…
How is Canadian EPR Impacting Your Business?
Our industry is facing complex and costly challenges from new provincial Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations for packaging. To understand the full impact of Canadian EPR programs on our sector, Western Growers is collaborating with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) to conduct a comprehensive survey. A Collaborative Effort for a Deeper Understanding Your…