March 31, 2016

WG Members, Leaders Among Experts at Salinas Valley AgTech Summit

Western Growers had a strong presence at yesterday’s Third Annual Salinas Valley Agricultural Technology Summit, as WG members and staff led multiple panels and sessions throughout the day. 

The Summit educated more than 500 ag and farm professionals about topics including crop protection, automation, harvest, innovation, worker safety and regulations through a series of presentations, panels, sessions, displays and demonstrations. The event, hosted by the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute at Hartnell College, was held in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the CA Association of Pest Control Advisors.

This year, WG members and staff helped place emphasis on the growing partnerships in education, agriculture and technology that are driving breakthroughs impacting the industry. Jamie Strachan (Growers Express) helped kick off the event by providing some of the events’ opening remarks. During the first panel, Brian Antle (Tanimura & Antle), Frank Maconachy (Ramsay Highlander) and Mac Keely (Blue River Technology) highlighted the relationship and benefits of mechanization and machinery. Steve Wiley (American Takii Inc.) and WG Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Science & Technology Hank Giclas spoke about the environment, genetics and crop protection during the R&D Panel. Giclas also helped lead the Ag Trade Association Panel, which discussed opinions and strategies in agtech. Johnny Massa Comgro (Comgro Soil Amendments, Inc.) addressed plant protection and soil health during the Dealer and Supplier Panel. Additionally, A.G. Kawamura, former CA Secretary of Agriculture and a former chair and current board member of Western Growers, led a keynote speech. 

Click here to read the full story and see images from the event on the WGCIT Agtech Blog.