Voices of the Valley

You may have never given today’s topic much consideration, but this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.

In this episode, Western Growers' Kara Timmins and Jeana Cadby talk with CDFA entomologist Dr. Jason Leathers and canine handler Michelle King to explore the exciting world of agricultural pest detection.

They’ll share why it’s so important travelers don’t pack a

Did you know that California produces more than 80% of the nation’s stone fruits? For those of you unfamiliar with the term, stone fruits are named after the large stone in their centers, or what we know as the seed or pit. These types of fruits include peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and mangos.

When you think of olive oil, you may think of places like Spain, Italy and Greece. But did you know that California produces some of the finest olive oil?

In this week’s episode of Voices of the Valley, we pour over everything you wanted to know about olives and olive oil with Western Growers’ Michelle Rivera and Julia Nellis and special guest Vincent Ricchiuti from Enzo Olive Oil Company.

Based out of Central San Joaquin Valley, Enzo Olive Oil

Join us as we uncover the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil, proper packaging and storage and an olive’s journey from farm to table. You’ll also find out what things you should consider before purchasing olive oil at the store.

Did you know that California farmers produce nearly 75% of all cantaloupes grown in the US? That makes for a total of $300 million in nationwide market sales.

In this episode, we slice into everything you wanted to know about melons with Western Growers’ Michelle Rivera and Julia Nellis and special guest Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce and melon grower based in Firebaugh, California.

Learn about what goes on behind the scenes on the melon farm and the practices and strategies farmers are putting in place to ensure the safety of your cantaloupes as they go from farm to table.

You’ll also learn some pro tips on how to tell when a

In this episode, Western Growers Director of Communications, Ann Donahue, talks with Garrett Nishimori, Business Manager at San Miguel Produce.

Garrett grew up in a farming family in Oxnard, Calif. He left to attend culinary school, after which he became a chef in a two-star Michelin restaurant in San Francisco. He returned to the family farm 15 years ago. His unique perspective on the “Farm to Fork” movement provides a first-hand account on food waste prevention, the intricacies of the supply chain – and why consumers should all get to know where our food comes from.

Tune in to listen to Garrett talk about his family’s legacy, the July 2024 acquisition of San Miguel Produce by Grimmway Farms and how realistic FX’s “The Bear” is.

Cross-border health care is growing in popularity as Mexico increasingly provides innovative, technologically advanced medical services at a cost-savings for employers. In fact, close to a million Americans cross the border every year to receive medical care in Mexico.

In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Raquel Lugo, Senior

Almonds have been cultivated for thousands of years, and as it turns out, California is the largest producer of almonds globally, accounting for more than 80% of the world's almond production.

In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Stuart Woolf, President and CEO of Woolf Farming & Processing and Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors, joins Western Growers Communications Managers Michelle Rivera and Kara Timmins to talk about the wonderful world of almonds!

A farmland landscape may not make many people think of a place rich in scientific research and discovery, but it should!

Western Growers food safety scientists Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President, Science & Technology, and Joelle Mosso, Associate Vice President, Science Programs, discuss their perspective and insight when it comes to buying fresh produce for their children.