Innovation
Automation Economics Template Western Growers has developed an economics template to help members evaluate the ROI of automation technology. A WG Assist option will be available for members to purchase a fractional financial analyst to help run the numbers. FIRA USA Co-sponsored by Western Growers, FIRA USA is an annual three-day automation and robotics showcase featuring in-field demos, exhibits, panel discussions and networking sessions. Global Harvest Automation Initiative (GHAI) The moonshot of the specialty crop industry, the GHAI aims to automate 50 percent of the fresh produce harvest within 10 years. Comprised of several key projects designed to support automation startups, including technology standardization, case studies, white papers and annual reports, and scaling field trials with grower partners. Next Gen Ag Workers With a grant awarded by the CDFA, the Next Gen Ag Workers program develops and implements standardized agtech curriculum for California’s two-year and four-year colleges and universities to help develop the next generation of STEM-trained agricultural workers. The program also places and funds summer internships in agtech-related positions throughout the industry. Salinas Biological Summit The Salinas Biological Summit is an annual conference that brings together multiple stakeholders to examine regulatory and consumer demands for less use of chemical inputs in agriculture and explore emerging technologies and biological solutions.
Carbon Robotics
Western Growers is driving the advancement of agricultural technology for the fresh produce industry.
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) has emerged as the catalyst for this innovation, linking technology companies with growers and shippers, providing our agtech partners with the opportunity to apply and refine their solutions in real-world settings. To support the efforts of the WGCIT and the agtech needs of our members, Western Growers has built out the following resources and programs: AgTechX Ed In partnership with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the AgTechX Ed Initiative is a statewide initiative aimed at developing an agricultural workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate emerging on-farm technology. Through a series of summits at local community colleges, AgTechX brings together key stakeholders to identify industry issues and skill needs, and to discuss education and workforce development strategies to meet future needs on the farm. Automation Case Studies A series of case studies on automation technologies that provide insights and tangible benefits through real grower data. Documents cost reductions, enhanced data collection and yield optimization in action.
Walt Duflock SVP, Innovation wduflock@wga.com
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