dependency on pesticides. He has built a large-scale insectary that houses millions of beneficial insects, Aphytis melinus; these insects, which are available to the industry, are one weapon used to protect citrus trees from the California Red Scale pest while reducing the amount of chemicals and pesticides used in orchards.
Harold McClarty, pictured here with USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue and Congressman David Valadao during a tour of HMC Farms, has been a long-time advocate for market access.
Brian Antle: Antle was the visionary who brought PlantTape—an automated transplanting system—from Spain to the United States in 2014 for technical development and commercialization. This revolutionary machine allows farmers to plant more acres per day. With PlantTape, growers can plant 20 acres a day using three people—compared to 10 acres per day with 16 people using traditional transplanting methods—as well as use 25 percent less fertilizer, 20 percent less water and 8 percent less pesticides on the crop— all while increasing yields. INTERNATIONAL TRADE Harold McClarty: McClarty, CEO at HMC Farms, has been a long-time advocate for market access and competiveness both domestically and internationally. In addition to serving as chairman for WG’s International Trade/Trade Practices Committee, he is also the former chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association and its Marketing Committee where he
played an integral role in administering the Stone Fruit Mexico Export Program. Additionally, in 2013, HMC Farms was the first to send California peaches and nectarines to Australia. “For years, HMC Farms has worked closely with Marcy Martin of the California Grape & Tree Fruit League, as well as U.S. and Australian government agencies, so that the California stone fruit industry would be able to ship their product to a country previously unavailable,” said McClarty, in a Growing Produce article. Steve Barnard: In addition to being founder of Mission Produce—the largest packer, shipper, and exporter of fresh avocados in the world—Barnard has made waves in opening up international markets for avocados. Founded only 36 years ago, Mission Produce has impressively expanded its operations to Chile, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Columbia, Canada, China and Europe. Earlier this year, Mission Produce announced plans to significantly increase its avocado production in Columbia over the next two years. Barnard’s goal is to plant an additional 1,000-1,500 hectares of avocado trees in Colombia, which would supply the farm’s domestic and international markets such as the United States and Europe. Each of these leaders have not only positively impacted their companies, but have helped bring about significant changes in the industry. The vision and innovation of these individuals, as well as countless others within WG’s membership, will ensure the continued success of the fresh produce industry into the coming decades.
Tom Mulholland has been on the cutting edge of lower pesticide use using innovative integrated pest management models.
Casey Houweling: Houweling is dedicated to delivering a full complement of tomatoes, while constantly innovating to reduce its environmental footprint. Houweling’s Group has three cogeneration engine rooms, which generate electricity so the farm can utilize waste to promote the growth of tomato plants in their greenhouses. Each engine generates 4.3 megawatts of electricity and any electricity that exceeds Houweling Group’s needs is exported to the grid. The cogeneration system captures heat in water and circulates what is needed in the greenhouses; the exhaust gas is cleaned up in the catalytic converter process and then inserted into the greenhouses as food grade CO 2 . TECHNOLOGY Frank Maconachy: For nearly three decades, Maconachy has guided Ramsay Highlander Inc. to become a world- renowned manufacturer of specialized harvesting aids for the specialty crop industry. He oversees all operations of Ramsay Highlander, including design and manufacturing of their current machinery line and ongoing R&D, and works closely with fresh produce farmers on new machine designs that specialize in self-propelled harvesting systems. Through Maconachy’s leadership, Ramsay Highlander now stands at the forefront of labor-assisting harvest technologies.
Brian Antle brought PlantTape—a revolutionary automated transplanting system—to the United States.
18 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com JANUARY | FEBRUARY 2020
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