Live Oak Farms: 100 Years in the Making

Rows of tomato vines and bell peppers at Live Oak Farms have been catching the morning light in a scene that has been repeating itself every summer for nearly 100 years. But between all the rows of vegetables is a story that begins across the ocean, where a young farmer named Marino Giampaoli dreamed of building a new life. In 1926, Marino Giampaoli emigrated to the U.S. from Lucca, Italy. It…

Western Growers Plays Key Role in California’s 2024/2025 Specialty Crop Workforce Development Push

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released its 2024/2025 Specialty Crop Workforce Program Report, highlighting collaborations aimed at building a more skilled, tech-savvy agricultural workforce. Among the key partners is Western Growers, which has played a significant role in advancing the program’s technology and training initiatives. The report underscores how…

Western Growers Releases Third Agtech Case Study

The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) has published its third of an ongoing series of case studies, analyzing the real grower costs and savings associated with the installation of an automated irrigation management system on 400 acres of processing tomatoes at Terranova Ranch. Faced with mounting water and labor pressures, Terranova Ranch has turned to smart…

Western Grower & Shipper Magazine November/December Digital Edition is Available Now

View Digital Edition The November/December digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available for online viewing. The issue features the articles, "Innovation Determination," "Introducing the Sustainable Produce Packaging Alignment Initiative (SPPA)" and "Finally, a Real Break for Agriculture." You can also read President and CEO Dave Puglia’s column, “A Moth, A…

CAP University Offers Free Virtual Learning Session to Explore Challenges Facing Colorado River

Policy, science and water management enthusiasts are set to gather for “CAP University: Deeper Dive on the Status of the Colorado River,” a free virtual event aiming to shed light on the critical issues confronting one of the Southwest’s most essential water sources. This session will provide information and updates on the status of the post-2026 negotiations, Colorado River conditions,…

Registration Open for the Organic Grower Summit on Dec. 3-4

Registration is now open for the 2025 Organic Grower Summit, taking place Dec. 3-4, 2025, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, Calif. Co-hosted by Western Growers and Farm Progress, the Organic Grower Summit brings together producers and suppliers to explore the latest advancements and trends in organic farming. This annual event provides a valuable opportunity for industry experts to…

The Agricultural Expert Panel Meeting Regarding Fertilizer Applications for Irrigated Agriculture Needs Your Input

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold two public working group sessions for the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel this October. The sessions are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The agenda for Monday, Oct. 13 has been set and can be viewed here. The meetings…

Jeremy Siegel to Deliver Keynote Address at Western Growers 99th Annual Meeting Chair’s Lunch

Jeremy Siegel, a world-renowned expert on the economy and financial markets, will be keynote speaker at the Chair’s Lunch during the Western Growers 99th Annual Meeting, taking place from Nov. 9-12 at the Hotel Del Coronado in Coronado, Calif. Siegel will be discussing the state of the economy and the impact of administration policy on the U.S. and global economy. Siegel is the Russell…

Register Today: Harvest Automation Tech Exploration Virtual Event

Save the date! Western Growers has partnered with Plug and Play to spotlight one of the most pressing challenges facing agriculture today: harvest automation. Join us on Thursday, October 9, 2025, for an online event, Harvest Automation Tech Exploration, where industry leaders and innovators will showcase solutions that can help growers reduce costs, address labor shortages and move closer…

Western Growers’ Ben Palone Joins Expert Panel to Discuss Automation in Agriculture

Save the date! Western Growers’ Ben Palone, Senior Director of Automation and Commercialization, will join a panel of industry leaders for the upcoming Farm Foundation Forum: Automation for a Resilient Future for Agriculture on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, at 9 a.m. CST / 7 a.m. PST. The two-hour virtual forum will examine the transformative potential of automation across the U.S. food and…

Exclusive FIRA USA 2025 Perks: Free for Growers, Discounts for WG Members

The fourth annual FIRA USA event is scheduled for Oct. 21-23, 2025, in Woodland, Calif., and growers can attend for free. Additionally those who are part of the WG network can use promo code WGAMEMBERS50 to receive a 50 percent discount. FIRA USA is described as the greatest and only three-day event for autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions, where industry leaders in ag…

Action Needed: CalRecycle SB 54 Permanent Regulations Open for Public Comment

CalRecycle has released its proposed permanent regulations under the SB 54 Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. The 166-page document will have varying impacts on businesses depending on their business model. What Members Need to Know Each business should have its legal team review the regulations to determine whether to register under the program. If…

Heather Mulholland Talks Citrus Roots and Future Fruit

As a fourth-generation citrus grower, Heather Mulholland’s earliest memories are steeped in the scent of oranges and time spent picking fruit with her grandfather. “In the beginning, it was just for fun,” she said. “I’d go out and pick oranges just to eat them.” But even as a child, she understood that this wasn’t just a backyard orchard—it was a full-fledged farming operation…

Western Grower & Shipper Magazine September/October Digital Edition is Available Now

New Voices of the Valley: Six Generations of Farming in California’s Central Valley

On the latest episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers hangs out with Cannon Michael, President and CEO of Bowles Farming Company, and the sixth generation to run his family’s farm. Cannon takes us behind the scenes of a truly unique operation that grows everything from tomatoes and melons to pistachios and cotton, while also caring for thousands of acres of wildlife habitat. Cannon…

WG Survey Seeks Grower Input on Mexico and Canada Trade

If your company has business in Mexico and/or Canada, or general interest in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), please respond to this Western Growers Trade Survey with your feedback. Why take this Survey? Western Growers advocates for fair market access and standards for our member products. This year, the Trump Administration will review and likely demand revisions to the…

Western Growers 2025 Compensation and Benefits Survey Now Available for Purchase

The most in-depth look at California and Arizona specialty crop compensation data is here. The 2025 Compensation and Benefits Survey delivers critical insights for HR professionals and executives focused on attracting and retaining top talent. This year’s report features base pay, bonus and total compensation data for 130 unique job titles and includes data for executive, sales and…

Western Growers Helps Sponsor Eighth Safe Fruits and Veggies Farm Tour for Alliance for Food and Farming

The Alliance for Food and Farming (AFF) held its eighth Safe Fruits and Veggies Farm Tour on August 4–6, welcoming a group of registered dietitians, nutrition writers and social media influencers to California’s Salinas Valley. The tour featured visits to strawberry and vegetable farms, including stops at Naturipe Berry Growers and D’Arrigo California, where participants learned about…

State Water Board to Host Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel Kick-Off Meetings in August

The California State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will convene the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel with two upcoming meetings scheduled for: Friday, August 8, 2025 Thursday, August 14, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Location: Sacramento (in-person) and via Zoom The kick-off meeting on August 8 will focus on evaluating data currently collected…

Don Cameron Testifies on Ag Innovation at House Ag Committee Hearing

At Tuesday’s House Agriculture Committee hearing titled “Past Breakthroughs and Future Innovations in Crop Production,” Don Cameron, Vice President and General Manager of Terranova Ranch Inc. and Western Growers Board Member, delivered testimony highlighting the challenges and opportunities facing agriculture on the front lines of food production. Cameron was introduced by Rep. Jim…