Each year, Big Week in Salinas brings together leaders, innovators, growers, and community members from across the agricultural industry during the week surrounding the California Rodeo Salinas. As one of the region’s most anticipated annual traditions, Big Week provides countless opportunities to reconnect with colleagues, strengthen professional relationships, and celebrate the people who drive agriculture forward.
This year, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) Innovation Team fully embraced the spirit of Big Week by attending the California Rodeo and participating in networking opportunities throughout the week. The event served as a valuable reminder of the strength and reach of the agricultural community, as the team connected with friends and industry partners from across the sector, including representatives from John Deere, Reservoir Farms, and many Western Growers members.
Beyond the rodeo grounds, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology welcomed a special group of future agricultural leaders. During Big Week, the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association (FFVA) Emerging Leaders Class 15 visited the Salinas-based innovation center twice as part of their leadership development program.
The first visit took place on Tuesday, when members of the FFVA Emerging Leaders Class gathered at the WGCIT for lunch followed by a public speaking workshop. The session provided participants with valuable communication skills while introducing them to the collaborative environment that supports agricultural innovation in California.
The group returned on Thursday for a second day of programming focused on leadership development. The visit concluded with an innovation-focused networking session that connected Emerging Leaders Class 15 members directly with WGCIT agtech startups. These interactions gave participants the opportunity to learn firsthand about emerging technologies, discuss industry challenges, and explore how innovation is helping shape the future of agriculture.
The combination of rodeo traditions, leadership development, and startup engagement demonstrated what makes Big Week such a meaningful event for the agricultural community. By bringing together growers, innovators, students, industry partners, and emerging leaders, the week reinforced the importance of building relationships and fostering collaboration across all segments of agriculture.