Western Growers is set to honor The Growers Company President and CEO, Sonny Rodriguez, with the 2024 Award of Honor at our 98th Annual Meeting in November. The Award of Honor is WG’s most esteemed award, given to honor individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community. Though this award is typically presented to growers for whom this association was created in 1926, this year’s award is slightly different.
Dave Puglia, Western Growers President and CEO says, “Few in our industry have done as much to educate elected leaders and government officials about the many positive contributions – and the many challenges confronting – America’s fresh produce industry. He is a respected and well-known advocate for agricultural labor reform that would honor the work of our farm employees and bring rationality to the industry.”
As a third-generation family business, The Growers Company has offered custom produce harvesting since 1950 and has been impacted by Rodriguez since he joined the company in 1975. Sonny was first elected to the Western Growers Board of Directors in 1998, is one of the founders of Yuma Catholic High School, has served on the Diocese of Tucson Charity and Ministry Board and was chairman of the St. Francis Parish Board for three years and Hospice of Yuma Board for two years.
Rodriguez’s achievements will be celebrated at the Award of Honor Dinner Gala at the Western Growers 2024 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Nov. 3-6, 2024.