The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) released its 2024/2025 Specialty Crop Workforce Program Report, highlighting collaborations aimed at building a more skilled, tech-savvy agricultural workforce. Among the key partners is Western Growers, which has played a significant role in advancing the program’s technology and training initiatives.

The report underscores how rapidly evolving specialty crop practices require a new generation of workers with advanced technical skills. To bridge this gap, the CDFA’s Workforce Program has partnered with community colleges, employers and trade associations across the state.

One standout collaboration is the Next Generation Ag Workforce initiative, led by Western Growers in partnership with CFDA. The program connects students with internship and apprenticeship opportunities to prepare them for careers in high-tech agriculture. CDFA’s report also highlights that, through this partnership, 23 community colleges have adopted 10 free educational modules covering key agricultural technology topics.

Through its Ag TechX Ed series, the Specialty Crop Workforce Development Program—working alongside the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT)—hosted events at 22 community colleges across California. These gatherings brought together ag employers, educators and students to discuss workforce needs and career opportunities in agriculture. Employers shared the skills they were looking for, faculty showcased their curriculum and programs and students built valuable connections with local industry leaders. Each event also included a fireside chat with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.

The partnership between CDFA and Western Growers reflects a shift in how the industry approaches workforce development. Trade associations are no longer focused solely on advocacy—they’re helping shape the next generation of agriculture professionals through innovation and education.