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 […]
Last week, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) hosted AgtechX Ed at Mt. San Antonio College as part of an ongoing initiative to develop the next generation of tech-savvy agricultural workers. The half-day event comprised three engaging panels, focusing on industry skills and identification; education…
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing temporary Safe Food for Canadians license conditions for importing romaine lettuce, including salad mixes that contain romaine lettuce, from the Salinas Valley. The temporary license conditions will be in effect from Sept. 28 to Dec. 20, 2023. During this period, importers are required to provide negative E. coli 0157 test results for…
Western Growers welcomes Joelle Mosso as Associate Vice President, Science Programs. Joelle is a seasoned scientist with a passion for pathogenic food microbiology, risk assessment and working toward practical solutions for the food industry. She brings to Western Growers her expertise in the produce and food testing industries, and a track record of contributing to innovative food safety…
Open enrollment is right around the corner, and unfortunately for most U.S. adults, this can bring about a level of anxiety that rivals the process of moving to a new home or starting a new job. But does open enrollment need to be an annual headache? Certainly not. It’s important for employers to streamline the process for everyone involved—and that starts with making sure employees…
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is recruiting industry representatives (growers, packers, shippers, staff from organizations who represent specialty crops, and other stakeholder experts) to serve as relevance reviewers for pre-applications for the 2024 Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension…
Mark your calendars! The second annual Salinas Biological Summit will take place on June 25-26, 2024. Presented by Western Growers and Wharf42, the Salinas Biological Summit brings together leading industry experts, agricultural businesses and innovators to share knowledge, insights and best practices in science-based biological solutions. Following feedback from June 2023’s sold-out…
Perfecting the art of seeing things from all perspectives takes an incredible amount of skill and empathy, but having firsthand knowledge of these varying viewpoints contributes to a well-rounded comprehension of the complete picture. Such is the case for Timothy Escamilla. Like many who find themselves working in agriculture today, Timothy got his introduction to farming because of his family.…
There’s still time to submit your reimbursement application for COVID-related expenses for the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant COVID Cost-Share Reimbursement Program (COVID-CSRP), which ends Sept. 30, 2023. The cost-share reimbursement program aims to provide financial relief for some expenses associated with COVID. Qualified applicants may receive…
This year’s Organic Grower Summit will take place on Nov. 29-30, 2023 in Monterey, Calif., at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, and tickets are now available for purchase. Presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, the Organic Grower Summit is a must-attend event for growers looking to gain firsthand knowledge and information in areas ranging from agtech to food…
Fresh Kist Produce LLC | Member since 2000 The saying “there is strength in numbers” resonates with all of us. Fresh Kist Produce LLC was founded on this very principle of unity and collaboration and continues to embrace it as the foundation for its continued success. Headquartered in Guadalupe, Calif., Fresh Kist Produce was established in 2000 when a collective group of grower-shippers…
Managing Partner of Kern Ridge Growers, LLC Director since 2022 | Member since 1977 | D-9 Kern County/Bakersfield While narratives of generational family farmworkers resonate within the ag industry, Bob Giragosian has independently charted his own unique path to achieve success. Bob began his agricultural career in Fresno, where he worked as a farm laborer throughout high school and…
Kyle Richardson, President, Garry Richardson Farms Director since 2022 | Member since 2016 | D-9 Kern County/Bakersfield Kyle Richardson comes from a family with a strong work ethic, innovative ideas and rich traditions. As a third-generation farmer, these values have enabled Richardson to thrive in a position of leadership and influence among the agricultural community. At present,…
This year marks the 97th Western Growers Annual Meeting, which will be held at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort and Spa from Nov. 12-15, 2023. We hope you’re ready for a few days of captivating speakers, engaging panel discussions and a series of social events! Here’s a brief glimpse into the upcoming activities scheduled during the gathering: Sunday, November 12 5 p.m. –…
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is accepting proposals for the 2024 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP), with a submission deadline of Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023, at 5 p.m. PT. The SCBGP funds projects that enhance the competitiveness of California specialty crops. Grant amounts for the program range from $100,000 to $500,000 per project, and the maximum grant…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) welcomed Owner Larry Cox from Coastline Family Farms as the speaker for its August Lunch and Learn event. For the representatives in attendance, Cox spoke about his expansion from farming in the desert to Mexico, Salinas and Oregon. He also talked about the insights he gained from his own father, a farmer in the Imperial Valley,…
Growers, innovators, scientists and investors are set to come together next month at the second edition of FIRA USA, a three-day gathering of autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions. The event will take place at the Salinas Sports Complex on Sept. 19-21. During the event, attendees can expect a showcase of robotic farming solutions, exhibitions, presentations, panel discussions…
Food safety has been a top priority for Western Growers, its members, consumers and the entire food industry for decades. Our industry has made significant progress in improving food safety, and these efforts will continue to evolve as new challenges in our industry arise. Our goal is to ensure a safe and secure food supply and healthy crops for as long as people need to eat. Did you know ……
Craig Alameda, Treasurer, Topflavor Farms, Inc. Director since 2022 | Member since 1993 | D-2 Yuma Craig Alameda discovered his love of agriculture at an early age while working alongside his grandfather, father and brothers at grower-packer-shipper L.S. Williams Company in Fremont, Calif. “Farming was bred into us,” he said, as he recalls his days of picking cucumbers, harvesting…
BlazerWilkinsonGee Member since 2008 There’s something about a picture-perfect strawberry that has made the fruit consistently rank as one of the most popular fruits consumed by millions of Americans each year. According to grower-packer-shipper BlazerWilkinsonGee, there are five to seven petals per strawberry flower, an estimated 200 seeds on a strawberry’s surface, and five pounds of…
For most professionals involved in agriculture, they say ag is in their blood. For Carson Britz, his family started out in agriculture as a crop retailer in the 1940s. After working a number of years in areas that include production, growing, processing, food safety, R&D and ag tech, he’s come full circle, and is now the Senior Manager of Sustainable Ag in the Western U.S. region for…
