creates how-to select infographics, how-to prepare videos and how-to eat GIFs—which are all shared on its website and social media platforms. These pieces of content provide consumers nutrition and preparation information about artichokes as well as offer incentives to put an Ocean Mist Farms artichoke in their shopping basket. 6. Look to Optical and Precision Spray Tech to Improve Production. The marrying of optical and precision spray technologies has proven to be a “quantum leap” forward for production. OMF has utilized this technology tool to gain labor efficiencies and data intelligence leading to continuous improvement in field production. 7. The Future of Food Safety is Rapid Detection Tools and Predictive Models. Technology has played and will continue to play a significant role in the enhancement of food safety practices. “Technology has accelerated testing even beyond our ability to understand how a contamination is present. I think the future is using rapid detection tools to create a predictive model to detect a contamination before it becomes a foodborne illness issue. Diagnostic tools will produce data which can be analyzed to help prevent contamination events before they ever occur,” said Pezzini. OMF’s keen ability to anticipate the next trend has allowed the farm to masterfully integrate cutting-edge technology to improve operations. In 2017, as part of the farm’s effort to increase its innovation aptitude, it signed on to be a sponsor of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT)—a premier agtech incubator located in Salinas, California.
“We appreciate Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology’s role as a think tank, bringing together the technology experts in the Silicon Valley and the agriculture experts of the Salinas Valley to develop and apply practical ag technology,” said Pezzini. “It has provided a forum for technology startups to connect and collaborate with farmers to refine technologies into something applicable to Salinas Valley agriculture production.” OMF’s relationship with the WGCIT has resulted in numerous partnerships with agtech start-up companies residing in the tech incubator. In fact, OMF has recently piloted or engaged the applications of three WGCIT innovators: HeavyConnect, CropTrak and Zest Labs. Additionally, the farm has leveraged WGCIT’s expertise as a convener and collaborator for broader innovation to connect with other agtech partners including universities, global organizations and private investment firms.
JULY | AUGUST 2021
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Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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