The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology this week hosted the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s ELDP Class 11, giving the group of future ag leaders an overview of the center and WG’s agtech initiatives.
Besides a tour of the WGCIT and a presentation from Dennis Donohue, the Center’s Executive Director, the group went to Taylor Farms’ processing plant/cooler operations in Gonzales, Calif. and visited Tanimura & Antle’s headquarters.
The WGCIT startups that presented their agtech solutions to the class were: Curtis Garner from Verdant Robotics; Tim Mohoney from Carbon Robotics; Johnna Hepner from iFoodDS and Nathan Dorn from Food Origins.
The members of FFVA’s ELDP Class 11 are:
- Miles Armstrong, TradeMark Nitrogen
- Jackson Autry, Everglades Equipment
- Ben Backus, DLF Packing
- Matt Bardin, Glades Crop Care Inc.
- Gracelyn Byrd, U.S. Sugar
- Leo Camelo, HM Clause
- Jason Chandler, Grimmway Farms
- Charlie Hurst, PGIM Real Estate
- Carisa Keller, Alico Inc.
- Dan Kimble, Harplyn Irrigation
- Chris Meyer, Corteva Agriscience
- Jake Rothert, Rothert Farm Inc.
- Chacen Taylor, Lipman Family Farms
- John Watson, Fla. Foundation Seed Producers
- David Wheeler Jr., Wheeler Farms. Inc.
Class 11 was guided on the tour by Director Sonia Tighe; Communications Manager Veronica Figueroa and Director of Labor Jamie Fussell.
Photos from the event can be viewed here on the WGCIT Facebook page.
