Posts By: Taylor Lauson
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…
Hundreds of Farm Groups Urge Swift Action on Farm Bill 2.0
Over 300 agricultural organizations, representing all 50 states and Puerto Rico, have signed a letter supporting swift advancement of Farm Bill 2.0. in the U.S. House of Representatives. The letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and all members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill was recently approved by a bipartisan vote in the House…
Plant Sciences Genetics: Breeding the Future of Berries
In berry fields around the world, rows of strawberries, raspberries and blackberries represent decades of careful breeding, research and innovation. Plant Sciences Genetics (PSG) is helping drive that progress—building on a family legacy that began with applied science and has evolved into an advanced berry genetics company serving growers and marketers across diverse production regions…
Vail Ranches: Advancing a 100-Year Legacy
As a fifth-generation farmer in California’s Imperial Valley, Kate Elmore McCutcheon has never been far from agriculture. But her journey into the family business wasn’t immediate. What began as a more distant relationship with farming has since evolved into a central role within her family’s company, Vail Ranches, where she serves as Chief Financial Officer, working alongside her father…
A New Voice for the Collective: Chair Rob Yraceburu Leads Western Growers into its 100th Anniversary
Great leaders take many forms, but in agriculture, one could argue the best fit is someone who has lived and breathed the industry their entire life. They don’t just understand it—they are deeply passionate about it. Rob Yraceburu, President of Wonderful Orchards at The Wonderful Company, embodies this ideal, bringing expertise and unwavering dedication to his new role as Chair of the…
Fighting Food Waste with Babé Farms and Veggie Rescue
From farm to table, food carries with it an inevitable time clock. This is especially true for fresh produce, though, even processed products have a shelf life of only so long. These natural limits, combined with systemic inefficiencies and consumer demands for perfection, mean vast amounts of food never make it to the table. In America, nearly one third of all food is lost or wasted as…
Innovation Determination: How John Deere’s AgTech Builds on 187 Years of Excellence
In the ever-evolving world of agriculture—where technology is reshaping how crops are grown, harvested and managed—John Deere remains a trusted symbol of innovation and reliability. Its signature green and yellow colors, along with the iconic Deere logo, are etched into the American landscape, representing generations of grit, progress and agricultural excellence. As modern growers…
Western Growers Advocates for Agtech at FIRA USA 2025
Western Growers’ Senior Vice President of Innovation, Walt Duflock, was a featured speaker in the California AgTech Alliance press conference at FIRA USA 2025 on Wednesday, October 22. The Alliance serves as a platform to coordinate regional innovation hubs, support commercialization and build a skilled workforce ready for the next generation of agtech. Duflock, who is also co-chair of the…
Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program: Agenda for the Oct. 31 Meeting
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) will hold the second plenary meeting of the Second Statewide Agricultural Expert Panel on Friday, Oct. 31 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. PST. This meeting is to develop initial recommendations in response to the Panel charge questions. Registration is required. The Meeting Agenda can be found here. For additional questions, please…