JULY | AUGUST 2025
FIELD OF DREAMS HOW T&A AND THE RESERVOIR CONNECT GROWERS TO AGTECH
Brian Antle and Danny Bernstein
WESTERN GROWER & SHIPPER Published Since 1929 Volume XCVI | Number 4
To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Western Growers members
Dave Puglia President and CEO Western Growers davep@wga.com
Features
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FIELD OF DREAMS HOW T&A AND THE RESERVOIR CONNECT GROWERS TO AGTECH
Editor Michelle Rivera 949.885.4778 | mrivera@wga.com Contributors Ann Donahue 949.302.7600 | adonahue@wga.com Emily Gengler egengler@wga.com Taylor Lauson 949.634.3624 | tlauson@wga.com Cory Lunde 949.885.2264 | clunde@wga.com Emily Lyons 831.272.0661 | elyons@wga.com Michael Escañuelas michael.escanuelas@gmail.com Circulation Marketing 949.885.2248 | communications@wga.com Advertising Sales Dana Davis 302.750.4662 | dana@tygermarketing.com
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THE FALSE DICHOTOMY OF FOOD SAFETY
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FROM FIELD TO FUTURE REIMAGINING WASTE IN AGRICULTURE
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WGCIT RESIDENT PROFILE ECOROBOTIX PIONEERING PRECISION AGRICULTURE
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WGCIT SPONSOR PROFILE NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS STRATEGIC FINANCING FOR STRONGER YIELDS
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Western Grower & Shipper ISSN 0043-3799, Copyright © 2025 by the Western Grower & Shipper is published bi-monthly 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.
4 President’s Notes 6 Agriculture & the Law 8 Advocacy | California 10 Science 12 Health and Wellness 14 Membership Spotlight
28 WG Member Welcome & Anniversaries 31 WG Leadership Program 34 Updates from the WGCIT 38 WG News You Can Use 40 Connections 41 Contact Us 42 Farm Dogs and Barn Cats of Western Growers
26 Member Profile 27 Director Profile
3 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
GIVE THIS SENATOR A CHANCE Dave Puglia, President and CEO
Seven months into a six-year term is not adequate to assign the new Senator a grade or make a definitive assessment of his commitment to our industry. But we do know that Schiff has been responsive. In May, the Trump Administration’s DOGE team cut USDA staff in several program areas, including the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The DOGE plan called for shuttering nine FSA field offices in California. Just days after the WG Board of Directors delegation met with him in Washington D.C., and elevated our serious concerns, Schiff and seven members of the House of Representatives wrote to USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to protest. Two weeks later Rollins rescinded the move for all but one remote FSA office. Several of our members have hosted Senator Schiff for farm tours and policy discussions in recent months, as have our partners at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. By all accounts, these have been meaningful and serious encounters with Schiff seeking to both learn the nuances of our industry and develop policy solutions that help us remain viable. Schiff has suggested he would work in earnest with President Trump despite their strained history, especially on immigration reform, with Schiff even remarking that Trump could capture a “Nixon goes to China” moment in history by achieving what most Americans know is badly needed but that no president has been able to deliver since Ronald Reagan in 1986. If this is starting to sound like a re-election endorsement for Mr. Schiff, let me clarify: We are all entitled to our views—not just those confined to agriculture industry matters. We have good reason to judge our elected officials across a multitude of issues outside of the business of the agriculture industry. But for this association and its advocates, both on staff and in volunteer leadership positions, we are obliged to relate to our elected representatives through the lens of agriculture and the policy matters impacting the industry. We can and should open our gates to Adam Schiff and give him the benefit of the doubt on issues that matter to our industry. He will not do all we ask or hope for, but we must give him the opportunity, and the necessary persuasion, to do more than he may have bargained for when he decided to run for one of California’s two Senate seats. ••• Speaking of the U.S. Senate: Michael Bennet of Colorado will be leaving the “world’s greatest deliberative body” to run for Governor. Bennet has been a strong advocate for us, working across the aisle tirelessly on western water infrastructure and the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, among other matters. We will miss him in the Senate and wish him well on his campaign.
Weeks after the historic 2024 election, my daily news scan was halted in its tracks. On December 10, I noticed an Op-Ed in the Bakersfield Californian, written by Adam Schiff. The longtime U.S. Representative from Los Angeles was sworn into the Senate the day before, to fill the remaining fragment of the term of the late Dianne Feinstein, and would be sworn in again on Jan. 3, 2025, to begin the full six-year term to which he had just been elected. Why in the world would this very high-profile progressive L.A. Democrat place an opinion piece in a newspaper serving one of the agriculturally concentrated and conservative regions of the state? As I hit the hyperlink, I prepared for disappointment and possibly anger. I was pleasantly surprised. Adam Schiff—the embodiment of the Democrat Party’s antipathy toward President Donald Trump—was extending his hand and his service as a new U.S. Senator directly toward California’s agriculture industry. He wrote of traveling the state during his campaign and making a point to visit agricultural regions including the Central Valley, the Central Coast and the Imperial Valley, places he “was far less familiar with from my years representing Los Angeles or growing up in the Bay Area.” Several WG members did in fact host Schiff for tours of their farms during the campaign, likely enduring some barbs from neighbors and fellow farmers for their trouble. I applaud them. Schiff wrote of asking farmers: “If I’m lucky enough to get this job, what can I do to help?” Further on, he wrote of his nascent understanding of California’s farmers and his being “deeply impressed by the multigenerational nature of the enterprise for many farmers, the difficulty of competing with other states and countries with lower standards, and the growing scarcity of our state’s most precious resource, water.” Whatever one’s partisan leanings, when a legislator extends a hand in partnership to help our industry, we extend ours, knowing we cannot expect the moon but understanding that non-engagement gets us nowhere. This is especially true of U.S. Senators, who by virtue of the Senate’s powers, rules and structure, can influence legislation and public policy at a profound level. I sent Senator Schiff a response, offering myself and the Western Growers team as good-faith partners. His staff responded quickly, and we met for lunch in Burbank. By then, he had been selected to serve on the Senate Agriculture Committee, another surprise to me. Schiff explained it is shameful that the largest agriculture state in the nation has not had one of its two U.S. Senators on the Agriculture Committee for more than 30 years, so he asked to be appointed.
4 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
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PAYER BEWARE California Court Confirms Risk of Fraud Falls on the Party Best Positioned to Prevent It By Jason Resnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
A recent California appellate decision should serve as a wake-up call for employers and anyone involved in legal settlements or commercial transactions involving electronic funds transfers. In Thomas v. Corbyn Restaurants Development Corp. (Cal. Ct. App., May 27, 2025), the Fourth District Court of Appeal addressed a novel question under California law: When settlement funds are misdirected due to fraudulent wire instructions sent by an imposter, who bears the loss? The answer: The party in the best position to prevent the fraud. The Spoofing Scam The case arose from a personal injury settlement for $475,000. After the parties signed a settlement agreement directing payment to the plaintiff’s attorney’s client trust account, a third-party fraudster, impersonating the plaintiff’s legal assistant, sent fake emails to defense counsel requesting a wire transfer instead of a check. The fraudulent email provided altered wiring instructions that subtly differed from the instructions in the settlement agreement. Defense counsel accepted the instructions and wired the funds to the fraudulent account. Days later, an email from a spoofed version of defense counsel’s email account further intended to delay discovery of the fraud by plaintiff’s attorney, claiming that a check would be mailed soon. It wasn’t until a month later that the fraud was discovered. By then, the imposter and the funds were long gone. Trial Court and Appeal: Risk Falls on Defendants When the plaintiff demanded a replacement payment, the defendants refused, arguing that they had already paid. The plaintiff moved to enforce the settlement agreement. The trial court granted the motion, finding that several “red flags” should have alerted the defendants’ counsel to the fraud, and that the plaintiff bore no comparative fault. The Court of Appeal affirmed, adopting a rule grounded in federal case law and Uniform Commercial Code principles: in cases of impersonation fraud, the loss should be allocated to the party in the best position to prevent it. The appellate court cited several factors that supported the trial court’s decision: • The wiring instructions deviated from the original settlement terms (wrong payee, method of payment and missing client reference).
• Defense counsel failed to verify the change using reliable, independent contact information. • The spoofed email domain and inconsistent phone numbers should have raised suspicion. • Rather than confirm the instructions directly with known counsel, defense counsel relied on the imposter’s contact information and delegated the verification task to accounting staff. The court concluded that while both parties were victims of a sophisticated scam, only the defendants ignored obvious warning signs. Even though neither law firm’s systems appeared to be breached, the defendants failed to exercise ordinary care in executing the payment. Key Takeaways 1. Never rely on unverified payment changes: Requests to change payment methods or bank details should always be verified using contact information from an independent, trusted source—not from the request itself. 2. Scrutinize red flags: Watch for subtle changes in email addresses, duplicate emails, altered contact details, typos and inconsistent language. These signs often signal spoofing. 3. Use secure, pre-established protocols: Formalize settlement payment procedures in writing and resist any deviation without multi-level verification. 4. Train staff: Educate staff to recognize social engineering tactics and escalation triggers. 5. Document your diligence: Courts will look at whether a party exercised ordinary care. Retain clear records of verification steps taken before disbursing large payments. Why This Case Matters Thomas v. Corbyn is the first published California decision to address allocation of risk in wire fraud settlement scams. It aligns with a growing body of federal law placing the burden on the party best able to detect and stop fraudulent payments. With cyber scams increasingly targeting legal and financial transactions, the decision provides timely and practical guidance: When it comes to wiring money, caution is not optional.
6 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
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YOUR WORKFORCE.
THE COST OF SUCCESS By Matthew Allen, Vice President, State Government Affairs
At the time of this writing, we are not even halfway through 2025 and yet the year has already proven to be one for the record books across several issues. This is common when a new federal administration takes office; however, the divergent views over air quality policies between the Trump Administration and California came into full view very early on and the results to date have been both substantively and extraordinarily beneficial for the agricultural industry. First, California realized that the state would not be successful in having the federal Environmental Protection Agency approve the waiver request that is required for implementation of the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) Advanced Clean Fleets regulation. Thus, reading the tea leaves, the state decided to rescind their waiver request. This regulation would have created significant costs for those growing operations classified as having high-priority fleets because it would have mandated a transition to zero- emission trucks. Notably, CARB did not also submit a waiver request for their new Zero-Emission Forklift regulation. These two regulatory rollbacks are both big wins for our industry due to cost concerns and the obvious problem of there not being ample charging infrastructure in place to reliably support the new equipment mandate. So why, with all of this great news, is this column titled “The Cost of Success”? Well, not surprisingly, California responded to these federal roadblocks by going back to the drafting table to find new pathways that would allow the state to regulate further emissions reductions. One of these was a policy proposal in the
proposed state budget that would have given CARB unprecedented authority to impose fees on the regulated community. Western Growers immediately worked with a broad coalition in opposition to this proposal arguing that, if approved, the Legislature would be delegating their essential legislative discretion over appropriations and expenditures to CARB. We also raised the concern that CARB would be incentivized to create more regulations in order to increase their own revenues. Fortunately, this proposal did not move forward as originally proposed. In addition, two bills were introduced that also would have given CARB additional authority. AB 914 would require CARB to promulgate regulations to control emissions from indirect sources (warehouses, buildings, etc.) and also would grant CARB additional fee authority. SB 318 would give CARB the authority to override local air district decisions on permitting Title V facilities. Local air districts would no longer be able to take into account local economic conditions and what is feasible when they are conducting the permitting. WG was an active coalition partner in opposing both of these bills. Due to heavy opposition, both bills failed to move out of their respective houses this year. WG staff will continue to oppose efforts that unnecessarily expand CARB’s regulatory and fee authority. Our members are already overly regulated and face a bevy of various fees. We have had a successful year to date but we will continue to be on the lookout for the next legislative or regulatory attempt that makes it burdensome for you to grow your business.
8 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
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CULTIVATING INNOVATION A Legacy of Agricultural Research By Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director
A tiny caterpillar, sometimes barely visible to the naked eye, is one of the most formidable pests threatening the California brassica industry. The diamondback moth (DBM) is eating its way through California’s heartland. Defeating this elusive adversary will require cunning, innovation and smarter science, primarily in the form of agricultural research. One such researcher dedicated to helping farmers overcome DBM is the late Dr. John Palumbo, who served the University of Arizona and agricultural community as an entomology professor and extension specialist for 35 years. Internationally recognized as one of the foremost experts in integrated pest management (IPM) for vegetable crops, his work made a profound impact on the fresh produce industry and the critical research needed to defeat DBM. John’s recent passing reminds us how fortunate we are in this industry to have such dedicated, bright and passionate researchers in fresh produce. For those researchers who find themselves tenured in this fragmented and diverse sector, they devote their lives to a specialized industry often overlooked in mainstream agricultural research agendas. Yet, at this time, we need researchers and support for agricultural research more than ever.
Dr. John Palumbo
Image courtesy of The University of Arizona.
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driven by scientific inquiry, always going above and beyond to investigate further, generate additional data and consider other possibilities. I had the privilege of working with John for almost 10 years, and not a day goes by that I don’t reflect on how he’s impacted my personal and professional development, a sentiment that I’m certain is shared by countless individuals in the industry,” said Jeannette Rapicavoli, PhD. In writing this article, the sentiment I encountered over and over was, what a
tremendous honor and blessing it is to have known John as a friend and mentor. He was an absolute gem of a human being—a once-in-a-lifetime kind of person. John was instrumental in the progress and success of fresh produce for the West Coast, overshadowed only by his generous spirit and kindness for all. He will be dearly missed. It is our responsibility as an industry to continue to support agricultural research and continue the legacy of excellence.
Leaving a Legacy John’s research not only shaped modern agricultural practices throughout his career but also left a lasting legacy that continues to advance the fresh produce industry. His work inspired innovation, improved crop resilience and ensured food security in the face of environmental and regulatory challenges. “John was always a strong supporter of ag research, as an advocate for grower needs as well as a trusted, knowledgeable source for efficacy and crop safety data for registration. He will be missed by the research community. We honor his legacy and speak his name in high regard,” said Kari Arnold, PhD. John’s research looked at new tools and IPM practices to combat DBM infestations, reduce pesticide resistance and identify manageable infestation sources, all while using data and sound science to advocate for growers. However, the example of DBM is only one of many reasons why continued investment in agricultural research is necessary to ensure the sustainability of our industry. As global challenges, such as climate change, the loss of pest control tools and the introduction of new pests intensify, innovative research and technological advancements are essential to support our important producing regions, enhance industry resilience and ensure food security. Remembering an Industry Legend “Despite his numerous accolades and prestige, John was one of the most humble, kind human beings I have ever met. Like all of the great researchers I admire, John also had an insatiable curiosity. He was "John’s research not only shaped modern agricultural practices throughout his career but also left a lasting legacy that continues to advance the fresh produce industry."
11 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DIETS Healing from the Inside Out By Beth Sims, Manager, Health and Wellness, Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc.
• Why : Antioxidants like vitamin C, E, flavonoids and carotenoids protect cells and support detoxification.
When you hear the word inflammation, your brain might conjure up images of sprained ankles or someone talking about their gut health in yoga class. But inflammation is more than just a buzzword—it’s your body’s red flag that something isn’t quite right. Let’s talk about inflammation because not all of it is bad. The good kind? Your immune system is putting out a tiny fire after you stub your toe. The bad kind? Imagine that fire becoming a slow- burning, invisible bonfire in your body that never really goes out and it’s quietly toasting your cells like little marshmallows. But fear not! I am not here to make you fear bread or give up joy. I am here to encourage you to eat in a way that supports your body and boosts your energy. Welcome to the delicious world of the anti-inflammatory diet. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet An anti-inflammatory diet is not a strict plan or temporary cleanse. It’s a sustainable, whole-food approach that helps the body function at its best. It centers on foods that reduce inflammation at the cellular level while cutting out triggers that perpetuate it. Rather than focusing on deprivation, this way of eating is abundant, colorful, satisfying and deeply nourishing. What to Eat Here’s a breakdown of the major food categories that fight inflammation and why they work: 1. Fruits and Vegetables These are the foundation of the anti-inflammatory diet. Rich in antioxidants, polyphenols and phytonutrients, plants help neutralize free radicals and reduce oxidative stress, one of the key drivers of inflammation. • Best choices : Berries (especially blueberries, strawberries, blackberries), leafy greens (spinach, kale, arugula), cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts), beets and sweet potatoes. "An anti-inflammatory diet is not a strict plan or temporary cleanse. It’s a sustainable, whole-food approach that helps the body function at its best."
2. Healthy Fats (Especially Omega-3s) Omega-3 fatty acids are well-known for their anti- inflammatory effects. They help reduce inflammatory markers like C-reactive protein (CRP) and promote heart and brain health. • Sources : Wild-caught salmon, sardines, flaxseeds, chia seeds, walnuts and extra virgin olive oil. • Bonus : Olive oil contains oleocanthal, a compound with effects similar to ibuprofen. 3. Whole Grains Unlike refined grains, whole grains are high in fiber, which supports gut health, reduces inflammation and helps stabilize blood sugar levels—an important factor in keeping inflammatory responses under control. • Great options : Oats, brown rice, quinoa, farro, millet and buckwheat. 4. Plant-Based Proteins Beans and legumes are rich in fiber, minerals and plant compounds that help fight inflammation and support gut microbiome diversity. • Try : Lentils, chickpeas, black beans, tofu, tempeh and edamame. 5. Herbs and Spices These are natural anti-inflammatory powerhouses that not only flavor your food but also deliver measurable benefits. • Most potent : Turmeric (especially with black pepper), ginger, garlic, cinnamon, rosemary, basil. Healing from the Inside Out Chronic inflammation doesn’t happen overnight and neither does healing. But by consistently choosing anti-inflammatory foods, you can quiet the immune overdrive, support healing and reduce your risk of disease. More than a diet, it becomes a way of life— one rooted in nourishment, balance and respect for your body’s deep capacity to heal. The food you choose is either fuel or fire. When in doubt, eat the rainbow and let food be your most powerful form of medicine; let it be your daily act of self-care and power.
12 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
A new name for a new era of agricultural healthcare.
Western Growers Assurance Trust is now Western Growers Health .
Since 1957, we’ve proudly supported the agricultural community with quality, affordable health plans and personalized service tailored to its unique needs. Today, we’re excited to introduce our refreshed name and brand: Western Growers Health . This transformation reflects our ongoing commitment to innovation, exceptional service, and ensuring your employees and their families have access to the care they need—helping agricultural businesses thrive for generations to come.
Visit wg-health.com to learn more.
GROWPROTECTED.
Membership Spotlight YOUR MEMBERSHIP AT WORK, AND WHY IT’S WORTH RENEWING By Cheryl Hall, Manager, Member Services
In today’s agricultural landscape, change is constant—whether it’s new regulations, labor challenges or shifting market demands. For producers, growers and agribusinesses, staying ahead requires more than hard work. It takes reliable resources, expert guidance, and a strong, unified voice in policy decisions. That’s exactly what Western Growers provides—and why renewing your membership is a smart, strategic move. As you look toward the
Growers provides personalized assistance with the application process, compliance audits and best practices to ensure you get the labor you need. Membership keeps this invaluable support at your fingertips
during every step of the H-2A process. Innovation and Technology Insights
Agriculture is evolving, and Western Growers helps you stay on the cutting edge. Through industry briefings, innovation workshops and access to emerging technologies, members stay informed about tools and practices that improve efficiency, sustainability and profitability. Renewing your membership ensures you stay competitive in an Today’s consumers and regulators demand more transparency and accountability in food production. WG offers science-based resources, training and updates to help members meet evolving food safety standards and certification requirements. Your membership gives you continued access to expert knowledge that helps you implement best practices, maintain compliance and ensure consumer trust. Connection to a Statewide Ag Community Your WG membership connects you with a statewide network of producers, experts and professionals who share your values and challenges. From networking events and training sessions to collaborative problem-solving, the relationships you build are a increasingly high-tech ag environment. Food Safety and Science Support With continued support of Western Growers, you’re securing tools, knowledge and advocacy that protect your operation and position you for success. You’ve built something worth fighting for. Let’s keep growing together. For questions about renewing or to learn more about your member benefits, please contact me at chall@wga.com. source of strength and resilience. The Year Ahead Starts Now
year ahead, here’s a reminder of some of the essential benefits of membership, including new tools and resources designed to keep your operation competitive, compliant and forward-thinking. Powerful Advocacy at the State and Federal Level Your voice matters, and Western Growers makes sure it’s heard. From water policy and environmental regulations to labor reform and tax issues, your membership fuels active lobbying and representation on the issues that affect your bottom line. Membership enhances your role in shaping policy and protects your ability to farm, grow and succeed on your terms. Legal Hotline: Real Answers, Right When You Need Them From land use issues to labor laws and regulatory compliance, legal questions can arise at any time. Your membership gives you access to a trusted legal hotline, staffed by professionals who understand the unique needs of agricultural operations. Instead of costly consultations, you get immediate, practical answers. HR Training and Labor Law Support Managing a workforce in agriculture is more complex than ever. With labor laws evolving and enforcement increasing, staying compliant is critical. Your WG membership includes access to ongoing HR training, compliance resources and expert guidance on hiring, safety and labor practices. Renewing ensures you stay informed and protected—whether you’re managing a few employees or a full seasonal crew. H-2A Visa Assistance Navigating the H-2A guestworker program is no easy task. Between strict regulations, deadlines and documentation, it can overwhelm even the most experienced employers. Western
You can view this overview in our new membership guide by scanning this QR code.
14 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com July | August 2025
INSV Defense: Breakthrough against INSV with first resistant lettuce varieties
A solution to the Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) is finally within reach for lettuce growers. After years of intensive research and breeding, the Dutch vegetable seed company Rijk Zwaan launched two Romaine lettuce varieties for the U.S. market with a resistance to INSV. The varieties are the first in the company’s INSV Defense line, with more lettuce varieties coming in the near future.
Read more: www.rijkzwaanusa.com/page/insv-defense
For more information, contact Lettuce Crop Specialist Nathan Peretz at n.peretz@rijkzwaan.com
COVER STORY FIELD OF DREAMS How T&A and The Reservoir Connect Growers to Agtech By Emily Gengler, Executive Assistant to the President and CEO
Brian Antle from Tanimura & Antle and Danny Bernstein
When Danny Bernstein steps outside every day, he launches into nonstop meetings, phone calls, emails, conversations with startups, investors, growers, partners, media and more. His view of this day-to-day bedlam—or symphony of innovation and California agriculture—is one of gratitude and purpose-driven satisfaction. Just three years ago, Bernstein was deep inside Google at a nondescript fluorescent-lit desk. The terrible lighting in his office was less the problem than the real-world impact, or rather lack of impact, he found himself making. There was “an abundance of resources and a lack of real problems to solve,” he said. As CEO and Managing Partner of The Reservoir, where agtech innovation meets dedicated farmland in California, he is firmly planted in the inverse. Though an accomplished tech operator from Silicon Valley with a pedigree that includes executive roles at Google and Microsoft, Bernstein is able to keep any initial skepticism from his new partners—farmers, growers and operators in Western agriculture—at bay. A San Francisco native, Bernstein graduated from the University of California, Davis. As a Political Science undergraduate student working “20 hours a week for three and a half years,” he recalls being mesmerized by his friends in the Agribusiness Economics major, one of the school’s most rigorous
courses: a memorable “180 units.” The obvious import of this program, one of America’s finest in agricultural economics, formed the basis of Danny’s respect for, and interest in, rural concerns. He never stopped searching for what he considered “the real California.” Now, his lifelong nascent interest in agriculture and
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today, having clearly listened, and listened some more, until he grasped growers’ concerns and views on things. Bernstein learned that approximately 50 to 70 percent of high- value crop production costs are tied directly to labor, yet less than two percent of agricultural production tasks are automated. California’s regulatory complexities continue to stymie meaningful agtech advancement and its use in the fields. Western Growers’ Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President of Innovation, and Ben Palone, Senior Director of Commercialization, aligned themselves with Bernstein, and the Reservoir eventually earned the trust of Western Growers as a whole. The future of California agtech, woefully underutilized and underfunded at present, will directly influence the future of California farming; the strength of rural economies like the Salinas Valley and the Central Valley; and Americans’ very access to fresh produce. Make America Healthy Again? Not if we allow California fields to fallow. That is not to say that hard-working startups and extraordinary new technologies in the agricultural sector do not exist. Companies across California, Washington, Arizona, the U.S. and global stage are actively aspiring to become expert agricultural system thinkers and are quite literally out in the field. However, their experience can be more akin to a farmer alone in a harvester with no one around for miles; their pathway relying upon independently sought and hard-earned partnerships without much institutional support behind them (unless one is lucky enough to be friends with Duflock). As one can imagine, the startups scoring such meetings and winning partnerships with respected companies are overwhelmingly “top of the totem pole.” Creative and determined upstarts remain on the outside looking in for years, or worse, until the company and their gifted engineers move on in a different direction—to a sector with fewer barriers to entry and more opportunities to apply and scale their technology.
rural California has bloomed into the Reservoir and its first-of- its-kind on-farm robotics incubator, Reservoir Farms, just seven minutes’ drive from downtown Salinas. Reservoir Farms will be an intuitively designed, programmable and managed environment replete with world-class R&D facilities and land access. Tanimura & Antle, an immensely respected Salinas Valley grower and Western Growers member, generously leased 40 acres of prime farmland for the original Reservoir Farms location. Bernstein highlights this collaborative foundation as critical to Reservoir’s early momentum. “It was when Western Growers, Tanimura & Antle and other industry partners each leaned in— from their respective positions—that we knew this wasn’t a niche effort; it was a shared priority. Once startups saw this alignment, momentum quickly followed.” His initial leap out of Silicon Valley a year and a half ago involved self-funding six months of feasibility research, and proudly and necessarily conducting more than 100 conversations with agricultural companies. His considerable research and boots- on-the-ground approach is evident in the language Bernstein uses
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The Reservoir, and its nonprofit on-farm robotics incubator, Reservoir Farms, is working hard to become this missing R&D layer that growers trust. In building the partnership with Western Growers, the Reservoir wants to show members that it exists to serve their needs and bring them closer to the tools that matter. Growers will have the opportunity to engage with and provide feedback to startups working hard to solve real problems facing California specialty crop producers. The Reservoir will facilitate interactions between startups and growers through field visits, showcases and introductions. Western Growers’ Palone envisions a “well-driven track around Reservoir Farms as growers visit and see what’s happening.” Beginning with the Salinas location, there will be a rhythm of quarterly showcases that tie into natural crop and testing cycles, supplemented with monthly engagement opportunities, including small group site visits, in-field demos and roundtable discussions. The best way to follow what’s happening at the Reservoir is on LinkedIn, and there are plans to develop a member portal where growers can opt in, state an area of interest or pain point, and be matched with startups working on relevant technologies. Although Western Growers members can expect a warm welcome from the Reservoir’s General Manager and staff, driving onto the well-driven path is not necessary. The Reservoir will maintain a dedicated online presence which will include startup profiles, field trial reports and video walkthroughs that give growers a sense of what’s working, what is still being figured out and what’s coming next. Growers well-versed in the agtech startup ecosystem will enjoy the regular community, programming and updates, and members who have not stepped into the universe will now find easy entry. WG members will learn not just what each company does, but how they learn, iterate and engage with the field. In a nutshell, growers can trade the 8 a.m. meetings with startups at their company office for front-row seats to the show—
with many acts and performers, and an extended residency in their backyard. The need to explore and commit to a single partnership is replaced by the opportunity to engage with a handful of companies working on various problems facing California farming, especially concerning labor-offsetting technologies, all in a low-pressure environment that will allow for an organic development of partnerships as trust builds. In Bernstein’s words: “We want Western Growers members to feel like Reservoir is a living, breathing space they can drop into— not just an annual conference booth.” In selecting their inaugural cohort, the Reservoir is evaluating companies based on technical due diligence, crop relevance (including the region’s core crops: lettuce, berries, broccoli and other specialty produce) and founder mindset. Priority areas include robotic harvesters adept at handling delicate produce; rugged mobility solutions for uneven terrain and open fields; machine vision tailored specifically to specialty crops; lightweight end effectors designed for produce handling; and more. Additionally, there is support for startups working on modular robotics components for flexible field use, edge AI facilitating real- time decisions without cloud reliance, and precision soil analytics. Companies and participants must share a commitment to wanting to learn from growers and build with them—not just sell to them. A selection committee comprising growers, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) advisors and technical experts, helps balance these dimensions. Bernstein notes the distinctiveness of this approach: “These startups operate in the real world, not a simulated one. That “We want Western Growers members to feel like Reservoir is a living, breathing space they can drop into—not just an annual conference booth.”
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demands a different kind of toughness and humility. They’re systems thinkers, and they know they can’t build in a vacuum.” Salinas is just about an hour from Silicon Valley. Most teams will relocate or maintain a strong local presence during their time at Reservoir Farms: some may choose to fully move, others may come down multiple times a week. The economic impact for Salinas is obvious, and a proud full-circle moment for Bernstein given his early interest in California’s rural economics with regard to investment. “Founders stay in town, eat locally and spend time in the community. We see Reservoir as a long-term economic contributor, not an isolated tech campus. Over time, we believe dozens of new agtech companies will establish themselves in rural regions like Salinas, bringing hundreds of millions in investment and creating thousands of high-quality jobs. This is about startup success, as well as regional transformation, where innovation becomes a driver of economic vitality across the Central Coast and beyond,” Bernstein said. With Reservoir Farms’ groundbreaking set for Aug. 27, 2025, excitement continues to grow. Looking ahead, Reservoir Farms is laying the groundwork for expansion: plans are developing for locations in Merced County and Sonoma County. Bernstein gives great credit to his right-hand powerhouse COO Jillian Heisman, Marketing Manager Grace Wodecki, and mentions the invaluable contributions of Reservoir friends and advisors, including Jason Sedano and Josh Roberts, Joshua Ruiz, Nishan Moutafian and Dr. Matthew Hoffman, and Henry Guerrero and Dr. Hillary Q. Thomas-Sanchez of Taylor
Farms, Duda, Driscoll’s and Naturipe Berry Growers, respectively. WG member Randy Pura was a critical early thought partner as well. Of Western Growers’ Duflock, Bernstein likes to say, “No matter what, I always answer the phone for three people: my wife, my mom and Walt.” There appears to be a strong element of civic mindedness with Bernstein, the one-time Political Science major, as he boldly and unhesitatingly moved his career away from the “Googleplex” to an area that really needs it—and needs it most desperately. Bernstein is grounded by the beauty of the “real California” he once quested for, and has in him the good instinct to slow down and observe the meaning inherent to agriculture: that which can be found in a single clamshell. “I keep coming back to strawberries. When you see firsthand how skilled and fast that labor has to be—how much of it is done by feel and instinct—it becomes clear why automation here is both incredibly challenging and incredibly important. Watching the precision, pace and care of a harvest crew completely changed my understanding of what goes into a single clamshell. It’s humbling. And it makes the tech stakes feel very real.” Amid his day-to-day obligations and leadership at the Reservoir, Danny Bernstein conducts himself with the humility of a grower; with significant appreciation for his partners and the support of the community, and a reverence for California agriculture— his office at the historic and iconic corner of Highway 68 and Hitchcock Road in Salinas now lit by the California sun.
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FEATURE STORY THE FALSE DICHOTOMY OF FOOD SAFETY By Joelle Mosso, Assistant Vice President, Science Programs
never-changing target. This goal is to be applauded, but it’s also naïve, oversimplified and unintentionally counterproductive. Food safety is not a binary option - it doesn’t “exist” or “not exist.” To treat it as such immediately creates risk management systems that will be flawed and vulnerable to exploitation. Food safety is a complex topic with varying risks from a multitude of threats. In most cases, no food presents with zero potential for illness - some risks may be acute (toxins, bacterial infections, contaminants) while other risks may be chronic (heavy metals, carcinogens, nutritional imbalances). Similarly, all producers and consumers have differing expectations on what they consider an unacceptable risk. For example, some consumers choose to drink raw, unpasteurized milk while others are afraid to even handle raw milk due to fear that the package may be contaminated. Risk is subjective, on a spectrum, and non-zero at all levels of the food supply chain (food, producer, retailer, consumer). Operationally, it matters little that we have a regulatory requirement for absolute food safety since there is zero possibility of a 100 percent safe/unsafe option for every consumer. In short, complete food safety for all consumers is not achievable. Oversimplifying the complexity of food safety by stating that all food should be safe has unintentionally led to inefficient risk management strategies and the creation of non-productive market pressures for food safety. When the first assumption is flawed, it sets up a false expectation that ultimately makes risk management more challenging since the first step is to counteract the errant first assumption. Simply stated, an argument for safety improvement must begin by counteracting the preconceived belief that food is already safe. That improvement to food safety will require additional investments to reduce risk, and those investments won’t seem necessary if they already consider the status quo acceptable (safe). In a food business, when a product is successfully selling in a market that legally requires safe food, it is, in effect, already considered by the producer and consumer to be safe and acceptable. Food safety should not be a competitive advantage, but it shouldn’t be a disadvantage either. The goal will always be to have safe food for everyone. Safe has variable meanings and is on a risk spectrum, varying for every producer and consumer. It is also unrealistic to assume that all food will be safe simply because regulatory requirements exist and that there will be an overall ethical alignment around one level of safe in the industry. To expect this consensus and ethical alignment in the industry is somewhat akin to expecting a utopian society to naturally occur, a utopia where there would be no hunger, social injustices or criminal acts. While we all would love to live in this society, we also acknowledge real-world conditions differ from utopia and we build systems to protect us from them. Defaulting on a system where the status quo assumes all food is safe and that all players in the supply chain will adhere to creating a non-existent, zero-risk outcome is unrealistic. Designing food
For those who have participated in debates, common logic strategies are used to be able to win the argument and sway the audience. While logical fallacies are technically errors in reasoning, they appeal to human psychology and can often convince the audience quite effectively. We encounter logical fallacies frequently – circular arguments, ad hominems, red herrings, slippery slopes, etc., since they are used in many stories, news segments and marketing campaigns to capture and influence decision-making. A common logical fallacy applied is that of the false dichotomy. A false dichotomy is the reduction of outcomes to only two possible options. Something is either good or bad. Black or white. Ethical and unethical. Binary options are easy to understand and process. They can also lead to severe oversimplification of more complex issues. That oversimplification can have deleterious long- term outcomes for the topic to be considered. Food safety is not a competitive advantage. Why? There is an obvious expectation that food safety is a required element for any food company and food item. It would be unethical if some foods were safe while some, assumed to be less-expensive foods, were not. This would create situations where the less affluent might only be able to afford food that could make them sick at a much higher rate than more costly foods. We have seen this type of unethical food marketplace, with poor communities only having access or the ability to purchase less safe food and water and therefore having a higher rate of foodborne illness and death than more affluent communities. To address this social injustice, rigorous state, federal and international food regulations require that food always be safe. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has a commonly quoted statement: “If it isn’t safe, it isn’t food.” As such, it is illegal to produce and sell unsafe food, and all people, irrespective of class and financial ability, should have access to safe food. Food safety is the stated goal, and complete 100 percent safety is our
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