Posts By: Taylor Lauson
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…
Applications Open for AZDA’s Ag, Soil Health and Water Efficiency Pilot Program
The Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) is now accepting applications for the Agriculture, Soil Health and Water Efficiency Innovation Pilot Program. The final application deadline is Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. The program provides funding for agricultural landowners, beneficial owners of trust land, lessee of agricultural land or irrigation districts to implement and collect data for…
New Date: Register for Automation Lunch and Learn Virtual Event (Western Growers Members Only)
The date for the Automation Lunch and Learn Virtual Event has changed to Tuesday, December 2 from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. PST. The registration link remains the same. Western Growers members are invited to attend a presentation hosted by the team at Plug and Play on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. This session will delve into why automation matters now (labor, costs, ROI). Presenters will give a full…
The Heart Behind the Heat: New Mexico Chile Association
Few crops define a region like chile does New Mexico—and for nearly two decades, the New Mexico Chile Association (NMCA) has worked to protect, promote and advance the farmers behind it. In a state that proudly calls itself the “Chile Capital of the World,” the love for chile runs so deep, it even inspired the official state question: “Red or green?” Founded as a nonprofit…
Grit, Growth and Giving Back: Wonderful Co.’s Stewart Resnick is Our 2025 Award of Honor Recipient
For more than two centuries, the idea of the American Dream has inspired generations born on this soil just as much as those who arrived seeking opportunity. It’s the enduring belief that with hard work, grit and determination, anyone – regardless of where they start – can rise from modest roots to build something lasting, meaningful and entirely their own. This is exactly what Stewart…
New Voices of the Valley: Four Generations of Farming with the Talleys
In this episode, we sit down with Grant and Elizabeth Talley — fourth-generation farmers from one of California’s most respected agricultural families. From vineyards to vegetable fields to grass-fed beef, the Talley's are carrying forward a legacy that began in 1948 in the Arroyo Grande Valley. Hear how they’re honoring family traditions, embracing innovation and educating the next…
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…