SOLEDAD, CA - Great skill recognizes great skill, and there are few I recall hearing of as a tour de force like that of Tonya Antle. An industry maven and changemaker in her own right, Tonya was recognized for her scroll of professional accomplishments seven years ago as the annual Ag Woman of the Year. Last week, she returned to the longstanding luncheon to introduce a new addition to this legendary hall: Jessica Harris Handley.

“This dynamo doesn’t just show up; she cuts a path! She forges new ways for others to follow, guiding them with both her heart and mind. And when it comes to stepping up to take on volunteer roles, there she is again. Plus, this marvelous person gives the best hugs!” Tonya shared with the crowd.

300-plus participants were in attendance at the Grower-Shipper Foundation’s 29^th annual Ag Woman of the Year recognition luncheon Friday, May 2, at McIntyre Estate Vineyards, to welcome with resounding applause the revelation of this year’s recipient.

Jessica has risen from a pivotal role at Earthbound Farm to Associate Director of Technical Product Management at Pairwise before landing at her current role as Vice President of Marketing at F&S Fresh Foods. Additionally, she has been involved in or spearheaded so much that Tonya joked to the avid crowd that Jessica might have managed to clone herself.

Just a few accomplishments and advisories include:

• Salinas Valley Fair Superintendent for Ag Mechanics and FFA exhibits
• PMA (now IFPA) exhibitor Advisory Committee, Farm Day, the IFPA Marketing Committee, the Grower-Shipper Foundation Board, the California Rodeo Marketing Committee
• The National PMA Women’s Perspectives Steering Committee
• Inaugural winner of the Supermarket News’ GenNext Award
• One of 40 under 40 (Produce Business)

As Tonya concluded, Jessica is everywhere, constantly moving our industry forward.

“But awards and titles don’t capture the essence of who she is. Look around this room. How many of you has she come through for?” the maven observed.

Because the foundational element of this list is support. It is the ties that bind our industry together amid countless challenges, and it is everything the 2025 Ag Woman of the Year practices—from her own time and resources to a warm embrace.

For the past 29 years, the Agricultural Woman of the Year award has celebrated the achievements of a woman from the tri-county area of California's Santa Cruz, San Benito, and Monterey County, who serves as a change agent and has made unique contributions to promote the local ag industry at local, state, and/or national levels.

Congratulations to Jessica Harris Handley in being recognized for embodying this philosophy!