IRVINE, CALIF. (Aug. 31, 2026) – Western Growers will present D.M. Camp & Sons CEO Edwin Camp with the 2026 Award of Honor at the organization’s 100th Annual Meeting in November. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given annually to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community.
“For decades, Edwin Camp has been ‘the man in the arena,’ fighting for our industry, especially in water policy where he has been an ever-present force,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “His leadership is defined by an intricate knowledge of the complex systems, laws and regulations that define agricultural water supply in California and a steady political sophistication that builds trust and credibility among the state’s diverse water users. Edwin, his wife Kaye, and their family embody the best of the California agriculture industry’s commitment to service and community.
“The Western Growers family is looking forward to celebrating Edwin Camp as our Award of Honor recipient during our 100th Annual Meeting, even though our team is anxious about the hijinks and tomfoolery that seem to accompany Edwin wherever he goes.”
Camp was elected to the Western Growers Board of Directors in 1994 and served for 30 years; he was named Chair in 2003. D.M. Camp & Sons have been a member of Western Growers for 52 years. D.M. Camp & Sons is currently celebrating its 90th year in business; over the company’s history Camp and his family farmed dozens of fruit, vegetable, grain and fiber crops. Almonds are the current mainstay for Camp’s operations, alongside four John Deere dealerships in Kern and Los Angeles counties, as well as a John Deere engine distributorship covering five Western states.
“I am honored and so grateful in being selected as this year’s recipient of the Western Growers Association Award of Honor, a true highlight for my family and I,” Camp said. “I am blessed to be a farmer in our Western U.S. fresh produce industry, where I have been able to rub shoulders with innovators, entrepreneurs, hard workers, mixed cultures, salt-of-the-earth, real people, and where your word is still your bond and your handshake holds meaning. I am fortunate to have spent many years working with Western Growers, a changemaker organization that works diligently for us in farming amongst a never-ending sea of issues. WGA proverbially has our back.
“I am forever grateful to be a part of this ag industry that still ‘makes’ something, that still values faith in God above as our true provider, and that still carries optimism as its hallmark.”
Camp attended Shafter, Calif. schools, earned a bachelor’s degree, with honors, from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and participated in the California Agricultural Leadership Class XV, as well as later being named a Director of the organization.
He has been active in many organizations including the National Potato Board, the California Potato Research and Advisory Board, the North Kern Water Storage District Board, the Kern County Youth for Christ Board, the Cal Poly Crop Science Advisory Board, the Cal Poly School of Agriculture Advisory Board, the Christian Performing Artists’ Fellowship, the International Christian Ministries Board, and the Kern Citizens for Sustainable Government Advisory Board. Edwin and Kaye are members of Trinity Anglican Church Bakersfield, and The International Order of St. Luke.
After 38 years, Edwin recently retired as President of the Arvin-Edison Water Storage District Board, and after 13 years also recently retired from the Friant Water Authority Board. Currently, Edwin is a delegate on the Great Valley Farm Water Partnership, an organization dedicated to collaboration between Delta and San Joaquin Valley farmers.
Edwin and Kaye have been married for almost 40 years and are thrilled to have two toddlers running the family, three-year-old Rhett, son of Missy and Nick, and two-year-old Leonie, daughter of Mckenzie and Jonny.
Camp’s achievements will be celebrated at the Award of Honor Dinner Gala at the 2026 Western Growers Annual Meeting in Maui on Nov. 8-11, 2026.
If you’d like to include a personal congratulatory message to Edwin in the Award of Honor Program, please contact our membership team [email protected] or add to your Annual Meeting registration. All proceeds from message sales benefit the Western Growers Foundation.
For more information, please contact:
Ann Donahue
(949) 302-7600
[email protected]
About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook.
