Yesterday, Western Growers’ Field Harvest Acceleration Steering Committee gathered virtually to embark on Phase 2 of its Automation Initiative—an industry-led initiative designed to accelerate field automation progress with a primary focus on field harvesting.

During the meeting, the committee discussed in-depth strategies and tactics for mechanization adoption as well as identified a sentinel project for best accelerating field harvest automation. The group also developed a work plan for making the integration of automation more accessible to farms of all sizes and crops.

“We are off to a strong start, and we are looking to engage more of Western Growers’ membership as we move along,” said Dennis Donohue, director of Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology. “The goal is to have a solid work plan by the end of the year.”

The committee was comprised of growers, agtech entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and tech leaders from RDO, Bosch, Grimmway Farms, Driscoll’s, Microsoft, Oxbo, Church Brothers Farms, HMC Farms and the Washington Tree Fruit Commission.