Posts By: Taylor Lauson
Joel Nelsen, Influential Voice in California Citrus, Dies at 78
Western Growers mourns the passing of Joel Nelsen, former CEO of California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and a lifelong champion of California agriculture. He was 78. Nelsen’s father, a produce executive at Lucky Stores in Southern California, was the one who first introduced him to the industry. When he was 16, Nelsen started out as a produce clerk, eventually rising through the ranks to become a…
From Field to Future: Reimagining Waste in Agriculture
Duncan Family Farms, well-known for its innovative practices, has transformed the desert landscape into an oasis of organic produce—proving that sustainable farming can be highly effective, even in the most challenging environments. Headquartered in Goodyear, Ariz., Duncan Family Farms cultivates a wide range of culinary herbs, leafy greens, microgreens and unique, seasonal vegetables that…
From the Bay to the Baja: A Journey Rooted in Sustainable Ag
Ever since he can remember, Larry Jacobs has been captivated by the quiet magic of nature. One of his earliest memories is conducting a science experiment in his kindergarten class, where he had to grow a corn seed in a milk carton, “When milk cartons were still around,” Jacobs joked. He recalled the process of planting the seed, caring for it—until finally experiencing the gratifying…
Making Waves in Ag
Ocean Mist Farms It’s one thing to be born into a multi-generational ag family, but it’s quite another to carve out your own place in the produce industry. Through perseverance and dedication to his craft, Chris Drew, President and CEO of Ocean Mist® Farms, hasn’t just forged his own path—he’s set the gold standard. Drew began his journey in 2004 as a production manager at Sea…
Update: FDA Intends to Extend Compliance Date for Food Traceability Rule
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) plans to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule by 30 months, giving businesses until July 20, 2028 to implement its requirements. While the delay would postpone enforcement, the rule itself remains unchanged, aiming to improve food safety through enhanced traceability. The FDA will use the extension to collaborate with stakeholders,…
Western Grower & Shipper Magazine March/April Digital Edition is Available Now
The March/April digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper Magazine is available for online viewing here. The cover story, "Saving Gentle Giants: How One Ag Family Turned Their Ranch into a Haven for Draft Horses," follows Sarah Rodriguez’s journey in founding The Canyon House, a sanctuary dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating draft horses once bound for slaughter. With deep…
WG’s Walt Duflock Joins Farm Automation Panel at World Agri-Tech Summit in San Francisco
On Tuesday, March 11, SVP of Innovation Walt Duflock joined a panel of five industry experts at the World Agri-Tech Summit in San Francisco to discuss “Farm Automation: Addressing Labor Challenges Through Robotics.” Chaired by Vonnie Estes, VP of Innovation at IFPA, the panel featured Pål Johan From, Founder and CEO of Saga Robotics // Thorvald; Scott Komar, SVP of Global R&D at…
Arizona Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Accepting Applications Until March 17, 2025
The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) is now open for applications. The grant application deadline is 11:59:59 p.m. (MST) Monday, March 17, 2025. All applications must be submitted online. According to Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA), in order to qualify, “projects must enhance specialty crop industry competitiveness. Applications for grant funds should show how the…