that the industry is in need of future leaders who are interested in STEM- related topics. Each Junior AgSharks event culminates with keynote addresses from movers and shakers in the robotics or tech industry. In a similar effort to promote interactive STEM education, Western Growers Foundation awards grants to schools in California and Arizona to give students more opportunity for hands-on learning by growing a garden. The Foundation has funded nearly 1,200 school gardens since its inception in 1995, and today, the school garden program has evolved to support STEM curriculum to nurture the natural curiosity of children in areas related to farming and agriculture. This year, WG awarded 20 K-12 schools $1,500 grants to support new school gardens. Through these sponsored gardens and selected curriculum, students will learn about the science of how seeds become salads, the technology available to enhance plant growth, the engineering behind farm equipment and the math to calculate how much water is needed for optimal yield. “We hope that these gardens will help children see the connections between STEM subjects and farming, inspire them to pursue advanced STEM degrees and, eventually, apply their knowledge to highly- skilled careers in the agricultural industry,” said WG President and CEO Tom Nassif. In addition to arming K-12 and college students with the skills and knowledge needed to prosper in the ag industry, WG is also taking steps to cultivate the future generation of farmers. In February 2013, WG installed its inaugural class of Future Volunteer Leaders, a two-year program designed for the next generation of leaders within WG member companies. These individuals are policy-minded and have expressed an interest in becoming more informed and effective advocates for the fresh produce industry. These future leaders are invited to participate in all WG board meeting functions and engage in political advocacy in DC and Sacramento to develop a deeper understanding of the legislative process and how public policy issues affect the industry. To date, 34 young leaders have participated in the program, with one graduate—Steve Martori III of Martori Farms—already serving on WG’s Board of Directors.
Top and middle photos: Junior AgSharks Bottom photo: Future Volunteer Leaders
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SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2018
Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com
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