Big congratulations to my WG colleague Gail Delihant for making the Packer 25 for 2026. The Packer does a great job covering the key topics and movers and shakers in agriculture, and Christina Herrick does a great job covering both really complex issues (like some of the automation topics we’ve walked through) and articles like this celebrating the people doing a lot of the key work in support of the agricultural industry. Here is all you need to know about Gail –

1) The growers in Salinas Valley know Gail and appreciate the job she does. Talk to the growers all over the valley, and growers across the state, and Gail is acknowledged as one of the most knowledgeable and effective water experts and advocates.

2) She brings the fire. Water advocacy for agriculture in California is sometimes a tough job. You have to try and hold the line against a lot of forces that are often not that interested in collaborating and often times can be pretty challenging to work with to get things done.

3) My family and I (and some of our consultants) have been working on water issues for decades. Gail is up to speed on both statewide issues like Sites Reservoir and regional issues like the Salinas River.

As Gail mentions in the article so perfectly, the industry needs to adopt innovation and help define what worksable and economically sustainable policies look like or those policies will be defined for them. I could not say it any better than that!

Gail being in this year’s Packer 25 is recognition of all the good work she’s done and keeps doing for 18 years (and counting!) Thanks for all the work Gail – it’s noticed and appreciated!

Link to article – Packer 25: Gail Delihant – The Packer