Features
KAREN ROSS A LIFETIME OF SERVICE TO CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE 16
THE PATH TO $5 BILLION IN AUTOMATION REVENUE 21
WESTERN GROWER & SHIPPER Published Since 1929 Volume XCVII | Number 3
PROVING VALUE THE NEXT CHAPTER OF AGRICULTURAL INNOVATION 26
To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Western Growers members
BEYOND THE WAY WE’VE ALWAYS DONE IT 30
Dave Puglia President and CEO Western Growers dpuglia@wga.com
“THE PORT THAT FARMERS BUILT” 33
Editor Michelle Rivera 949.885.4778 | mrivera@wga.com
JORDAN ENERGY & FOOD ENTERPRISES HARVESTING THE POWER OF THE SUN 36 PRECISION TAKES FLIGHT 39
Contributors Cierra Allen callen@wga.com Ann Donahue
adonahue@wga.com Michael Escañuelas hello@mescanuelas.com Emily Gengler egengler@wga.com Taylor Lauson tlauson@wga.com Cory Lunde clunde@wga.com Emily Lyons
Inside This Issue
4 President’s Notes 6 Law of the Land 8 Advocacy | California 10 Science 12 Innovation 14 Health and Wellness 40 Director Profile 42 WG Member Welcome and Anniversaries
44 WG Leadership Program 45 WGCIT Resident Profile 46 WG News You Can Use 48 Connections 50 Contact Us 51 Updates from the WGCIT 54 Farm Dogs and Barn Cats of Western Growers
elyons@wga.com Brittany Thomas bthomas@wga.com Joel Young jyoung@wga.com Circulation 949.885.2248 | communications@wga.com Advertising Sales Dana Davis 302.750.4662 | dana@tygermarketing.com
Western Grower & Shipper ISSN 0043-3799, Copyright © 2026 by the Western Grower & Shipper is published quarterly by Western Grower & Shipper Publishing Company, a division of Western Growers Service Corp., 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Business and Editorial Offices: 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Western Grower & Shipper, 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Call (949) 863-1000 to subscribe. Subscription is $25 per year. Foreign subscription is $50 per year. Single copies of issues, $2. Periodicals postage is paid in Irvine, California and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Western Grower & Shipper, PO Box 2130, Newport Beach, California 92658.
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3 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July – September 2026
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