Innovation Industry Solutions for the Future I In 2015, and in a continued effort to drive the future of the agricultural industry forward, Western Growers opened the doors of its Center for Innovation and Technology in Salinas, California. Since that time, the Center has taken significant steps to accelerate the development of agricultural technologies, innovations within the industry and has served as the hub for more than 60 agtech start-up companies, 10 of which were added this past year alone. With a focus on providing members access to ground-breaking advancements in food safety, food tech and the industry challenges they face, the Center is widely known for the creation of its AgTechX® summits, providing exclusive access for Western Growers members to engage with the leaders and innovators within the agricultural technology community. In 2019, the Center has continued its expansion forward, working both domestically and internationally to provide Western Growers members with solutions that directly impact their businesses and products. This past year saw critical initiatives that included joint partnerships with the Netherlands and New Zealand to drive Accelerated Automation, as well as with FME, launching the International Robotics Academy to solve ag food tech challenges. Some additional highlights from this past year included: - The development of the Grower Trial Network and Crop-Collaborative Initiative - The launch of the New Technology-Driven Food Safety Risk Management Program - Sponsorship of ”Tech Alley” at Organic Growers Summit - Hosted the 3rd Annual “AgSharks” Summit at the 2019 Annual Meeting
- Announced the unveiling of the New AgTech Directory - Debuted “Voices of the Valley,” its first agtech podcast
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