Voices of the Valley

Latest Episodes:

Cantaloupe 411 with Westside Produce's Garrett Patricio Aug 08, 2024

Show notes

Did you know that California farmers produce nearly 75% of all cantaloupes grown in the US? That makes for a total of $300 million in nationwide market sales.

In this episode, we slice into everything you wanted to know about melons with Western Growers’ Michelle Rivera and Julia Nellis and special guest Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce and melon grower based in Firebaugh, California.

Learn about what goes on behind the scenes on the melon farm and the practices and strategies farmers are putting in place to ensure the safety of your cantaloupes as they go from farm to table.

You’ll also learn some pro tips on how to tell when a melon is ripe for picking. If you’re someone who knocks or taps on melons in the grocery store, we have a surprising revelation for you.

Farm to Fork for Real with San Miguel Produce’s Garrett Nishimori Jun 25, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Western Growers Director of Communications, Ann Donahue, talks with Garrett Nishimori, Business Manager at San Miguel Produce.

Garrett grew up in a farming family in Oxnard, Calif. He left to attend culinary school, after which he became a chef in a two-star Michelin restaurant in San Francisco. He returned to the family farm 15 years ago. His unique perspective on the “Farm to Fork” movement provides a first-hand account on food waste prevention, the intricacies of the supply chain – and why consumers should all get to know where our food comes from.

Tune in to listen to Garrett talk about his family’s legacy, the July 2024 acquisition of San Miguel Produce by Grimmway Farms and how realistic FX’s “The Bear” is.

Innovations in Cross-Border Health Care for Ag Workers Apr 17, 2024

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Cross-border health care is growing in popularity as Mexico increasingly provides innovative, technologically advanced medical services at a cost-savings for employers. In fact, close to a million Americans cross the border every year to receive medical care in Mexico.

In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Raquel Lugo, Senior Director of Client Services and Mexico Operations at Western Growers Assurance Trust, joins Michelle Rivera, Communications Manager, to talk about cross-border health care and the role it plays in providing accessible, convenient and high-quality medical services for those who grow and harvest our food.

The Nuts and Bolts of Almonds with Stuart Woolf, President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing Apr 09, 2024

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Almonds have been cultivated for thousands of years, and as it turns out, California is the largest producer of almonds globally, accounting for more than 80% of the world's almond production.

In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Stuart Woolf, President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing and Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors, joins Western Growers Communications Managers Michelle Rivera and Kara Timmins to talk about the wonderful world of almonds!

Megan Kavanaugh from Bio S.I. Talks About the Amazing World That Exists in the Soil on Voices of the Valley Apr 03, 2024

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A farmland landscape may not make many people think of a place rich in scientific research and discovery, but it should!

In this episode of Voices of the Valley Megan Kavanaugh, VP of Science and Agronomy at Bio S.I., talks about the fascinating life that exists in the soil with Western Growers Jeana Cadby, Director of Climate and Sustainability, and Kara Timmins, Communications Manager.

What Fresh Produce Does a Food Safety Scientist Buy for Their Kids? Mar 26, 2024

Show notes

Western Growers food safety scientists Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President, Science & Technology, and Joelle Mosso, Associate Vice President, Science Programs, discuss their perspective and insight when it comes to buying fresh produce for their children.

Katie Chiapuzio from Braga Fresh on How Bees Benefit Produce Mar 20, 2024

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In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Katie Chiapuzio, Director of Environmental Science and Resources at Braga Fresh, joins Western Growers Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director, and Kara Timmins, Communications Manager, to discuss the amazing nature of bees and how they contribute to agriculture.

Do You Really Know Where Your Food Comes From? Jan 17, 2024

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In this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley, we’re breaking through misconceptions in agriculture with Coachella Valley farmer Celeste Alonzo.

Alongside her family, Celeste grows bell peppers and corn at Junior Enterprises. She joins Julia Nellis, Social Media Manager at Western Growers, to answer questions WG received on social media about farming.

Join us to gain a deeper understanding about the day-to-day intricacies of operating a farm, farmworker safety standards and protection, automation, organic and conventional produce and more.

2024 Look Ahead: Agriculture’s Biggest Challenges Jan 09, 2024

Show notes

Learn where your food really comes from. In the new season of the Voices of the Valley podcast, you’ll hear about the successes and challenges the agricultural industry experiences every day to get the best food to you and your family. We’ll explore everything from agriculture misinformation, women changing the industry, fieldworkers’ stories, scientific developments and, of course, technological innovations.

In the first episode of this season, catch up with Western Growers Dennis Donohue, Center for Innovation & Technology Director, and meet Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director, as they discuss how agriculture is addressing its biggest challenges in both innovation and science.

The activity around supporting and strengthening specialty crop agriculture through Western Growers is bustling. Dennis and Jeana discuss how the organization and its team are actively addressing issues like automation solution, climate challenges, food safety developments, biological input innovation and more.

Join us as we explore this exciting industry.

Follow on Western Growers Science on LinkedIn here or the Center of Innovation and Technology on X @wg_cit.

How Bayer’s Dr. Frank Wong Overcame His Skepticism About Biologicals Jun 06, 2023

Show notes

Dr. Frank Wong, one of Bayer's Industry Affairs Directors, discusses his shift in opinion about biological solutions on this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley. “I would say that [during] the last two decades of my career, I’ve always been really cynical about biologics,” Frank says. In this episode, he discusses how and why he’s a recent convert on the issue. In the end, he says, it all comes down to supporting and providing tools for growers.

With new regulatory pressures presenting themselves all the time on both state and federal levels, Frank discusses the need for options, but acknowledges it isn’t going to be easy. “It’s certainly challenging for maintaining tools that actually allow you to produce fruits and vegetables that you can sell and market…There needs to be a way to address those types of challenges,” he said.

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