The business has always been guided by principles that emphasize acknowledging the people who make everything possible, starting with its very name. “My father’s philosophy in picking the name The Growers Company was, ‘We are nothing without the people who do the work,’ and ‘We are nothing without the farmer to give us the work.’ He said our job is to create a balance that is mutually beneficial to both,” Rodriguez said. The story of The Growers Company is one of tradition—a tradition that has demonstrated sustainability through perilous worker strikes, uncertain immigration policies and mounting regulations, explains Rodriguez. Throughout his career, Rodriguez has faced significant hurdles and challenges, which he regards as the most influential and impactful lessons he has learned. “My first realization that there was more to just packing a box was when we failed our DOL housing inspection at our Casa Grande [Ariz.] housing site,” he said. But rather than become angry, Rodriguez went on to forge a valuable relationship with the representative from the U.S. Department of Labor who initially failed him. “I’ll never forget that. We became good friends, and she guided me through regulations,” he said. “I learned not to fight the regulations, but to comply with them, and participate in changing them—and that takes getting involved.” This served as the catalyst for Rodriguez to assist in creating a free Arizona/California Seminar to educate employers, a program that has continued for 17 years. “Western Growers has partnered with us since day one,” Rodriguez said. “As I reflect, it has been a grind, but it has been fruitful, and the relationships we have made along the way are wonderful and unmatched.”
The Growers Company has been a member of Western Growers since 1978, and Rodriguez was first elected to serve on the board in 1998. The Award of Honor will be a distinguished addition to his extensive list of significant accomplishments. Rodriguez is a graduate of Project CENTRL Arizona Leadership Program’s Class XII and served on the Agricultural Employment Relations Board from 1995 to 2005. He was active in the Yuma Vegetable Shippers Association for 15 years. In addition, Rodriguez is one of the founders of Yuma Catholic High School. “I have accomplished a lot of good things in my life, but being part of starting Yuma Catholic High School tops my list,” he said. His numerous recognitions include Employer of the Year in 1998, 1999 and 2000 by Campesinos Sin Fronteras; Citizen of the Year 2000 by the Knights of Columbus; Philanthropist of the Year 2011 by the Yuma Community Foundation; Heart of Yuma 2020 by the Yuma Community Foundation; and the Sower Award 2023 by Campesinos Sin Fronteras. Rodriguez served on the Diocese of Tucson Charity and Ministry Board for six years, was chairman of the St. Francis Parish Board for three years and Hospice of Yuma Board for two years of his six-year term. Rodriguez also set up funds with the Yuma Community Foundation to fund them in perpetuity for Yuma Catholic High School, St. Mary’s High School, Yuma Young Life, Yuma Food Bank and St. Vincent de Paul. “You know, I have gotten a few awards from time to time, but serving is not about the awards. What’s near and dear to me is immigration reform. Let’s take care of those people who have been here, who have worked for us, who are in the shadows. It’s about making your community better,” Rodriguez said. “I am just a small grain in the sand.”
Sonny and his sons. From left to right: Nick Rodriguez, Trey Rodriguez, Sonny Rodriguez and Freddy Rodriguez.
18 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2024
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