Posts By: Taylor Lauson
The Social Wrap: Oct. 22-28
From pumpkins to plant biotechnology, here’s what we’ve been up to on social media this week. We kicked off our Pumpkin Palooza series, putting our members in the spotlight and giving consumers a behind-the-scenes look at the people, products and processes that bring a seasonal favorite from the field to the front porch. At Van Groningen & Sons in Manteca, Calif., we explored some…
California’s Agricultural Commissioners at Work
If you were to ask a room full of children what they want to be when they grow up, you would likely hear answers, such as doctor, astronaut, athlete, maybe even influencer in this modern age driven by social media. Chances are, “agricultural commissioner” won’t make the list. Yet many of the men and women who eventually find themselves in these roles arrive there through a shared…
Building a More Reliable Water Future
In California, the nation’s leading producer of fresh fruits and vegetables, the importance of water could hardly be overstated. And we certainly can’t ignore the obvious: California needs a water system growers can rely on. This is where the California Farm Water Coalition (CFWC) comes in. Founded in 1989, in the midst of a six-year drought, the organization was formed to increase public…
Resiliency Through Seven Generations
Having a farming operation remain in the family for multiple generations is an astounding feat on its own, but to be entering a seventh generation requires more than longevity. It requires the ability to adapt, weather uncertainty and keep moving forward—or as George Adam, President and Owner of Innovative Produce, puts it, “the resilience that it takes to persevere in the…
Western Grower & Shipper Magazine Q4 2026 Digital Edition is Available Now
The Q4 2026 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available for online viewing. In this issue’s President’s Notes, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia calls on elected leaders to put the economic viability of American farmers at the center of policy decisions, highlighting key challenges around labor, water, crop protection and increasing reliance on…
The Social Wrap: Oct. 15-21
There was plenty happening in the field and on the policy front this week, giving us a chance to connect with consumers while keeping members informed. We visited Queen Victoria Farms (Ippolito International) in Salinas for a behind-the-scenes look at how Brussels sprouts and artichokes are grown and harvested before reaching grocery store shelves. Luis Barrera of Empire Farm Labor…
CalRecycle Accepting Public Comments on SB 54 Producer Responsibility Plan
CalRecycle is accepting public comments on Circular Action Alliance’s (CAA) Producer Responsibility Plan for implementation of California’s SB 54, the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act. The agency has 75 days to review the plan for compliance with SB 54 and will determine whether to approve, disapprove or conditionally approve the plan. As part of…
The Social Wrap: Oct. 8-14
This week on social media, we highlighted the people and technology behind agriculture, from supporting the workforce to recognizing farmers and showcasing the latest innovations in the field. Luis Barrera of Empire Farm Labor Contractor gave us a tour of the company’s H-2A employee housing facilities, offering a look at how they support their employees beyond the field. In recognition…
The Social Media Wrap: Oct. 1-7
It was another busy week on social media, with posts covering everything from rising labor costs and the realities of farming today to food safety and some common misconceptions about agriculture. Jordan Long of Western Growers H-2A Services broke down the implications of AB 2646 and what rising labor costs can mean beyond the farm. He explained how labor costs can influence production…
The Social Wrap: Sept. 24-30
This week, we went into the field with Neil Beach of Nature’s Reward to see how colored cauliflower is harvested in Soledad, Calif. We also sat down with Polybee CEO and Founder Siddharth Jadhav as part of our AgTech Series to explore how drones are helping bring a little bit of nature into the greenhouse. Using controlled airflow and vibration, Polybee’s technology mimics the way bumblebees…
The Social Wrap: Sept. 17–23
This week, we featured Javier López Gómez, a farmworker from Chiapas, Mexico, sharing his perspective on working in agriculture in the U.S. We also went into the vineyard with Bart Haycraft of Jackson Family Wines to learn how ants and mealybugs create a unique challenge for wine grape growers and why integrated pest management is an important tool for protecting crops. We also shared a…
New Voices of the Valley: Why Good Food Gets Left Behind
This episode of Voices of the Valley takes a closer look at an often-overlooked part of the food system: food loss on the farm. Join Western Growers' Jeana Cadby as she sits down with Leigh Prezkop of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) to learn more about why perfectly edible produce may be left in the field, from market signals and buyer specifications to the economic realities that influence…
New Voices of the Valley: Peeling Back the Layers of Onions
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we're peeling back the layers on one of the most familiar ingredients in our kitchens: onions. Jessica Peri Dunham, Sales Manager at Peri & Sons Farms and a fourth-generation farmer, takes us behind the scenes of how onions are grown, harvested, cured and brought to grocery store shelves. She also shares her family's journey in agriculture, the…
Kevin Andrew on Leadership, Labor and the Future of Table Grapes
Kevin Andrew's earliest childhood memories are rooted in agriculture: early mornings and weekends spent tilling fields, setting irrigation pipes, driving tractors and learning firsthand the demanding work required to keep a farm running. Andrew wasn't alone out there. The third oldest of eight children, he was busy working alongside his family in the field, something that may ring true for…
CPMA Seeks Input on the Future of Canada’s Destination Inspection Service
The Canadian Produce Marketing Association (CPMA) is seeking industry input on the future of Canada’s Destination Inspection Service (DIS). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), in collaboration with industry representatives through the Destination Inspection Service Modernization Working Group, is exploring options to modernize DIS rather than eliminate it. The service has long been…
New Voices of the Valley: The Water It Takes to Grow Your Food
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers' Taylor Lauson sits down with Michelle Paul, Executive Director of the California Farm Water Coalition, to break down one of the most important and misunderstood topics in agriculture: water. From where California's water comes from and how it reaches farms to the technologies helping growers use it more efficiently, Michelle explains…
Register Today: Pollinator Field Day at Heritage Growers Farm
Pollinator Partnership and Project Wingspan are hosting a tour of Heritage Growers' native seed farm highlighting the native seed amplification process and its role in supporting pollinator habitats and ecosystem restoration. The tour will include: • A tour of active seed production fields • Seed amplification planning • Planting, maintenance and harvest • Seed processing…
New Voices of the Valley Podcast Available: Exploring Regenerative Ag
In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we explore the future of regenerative agriculture through the lens of stewardship, conservation and long-term resilience. Hosted by Western Growers’ Jeana Cadby, the conversation features Craig McNamara, founder of Sierra Orchards, who shares his decades-long journey in farming and his vision for farming for the next 100 years. From integrating sheep…
Arizona Grown Relaunch: Share Your Input
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is reviving Arizona Grown, the state’s official “Buy Local” program, and they’re looking to industry stakeholders to help shape what comes next. After nearly a decade of dormancy, the goal is to build a robust, market-driven tool that strengthens connections between growers, retailers and consumers. To ensure the program reflects the needs of…
Jack Bros.: A Founding Member’s Enduring Impact
As Western Growers marks its centennial anniversary, few milestones feel as significant as celebrating 100 years alongside the members who helped build it. In 2026, the organization stands as one of the most influential advocates for specialty crop growers, shippers and packers across California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Throughout its 100-year history, Western Growers has been a…