IRVINE, CA - Technology has played a vital role in the advancement of the fresh produce industry, with automation and other cutting-edge innovations creating new opportunities for suppliers. Continuing the resourceful Voices of the Valley podcast, Director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology Dennis Donohue and Regional Director at Farmers Business Network Candace Wilson spoke with six distinguished agricultural leaders to discuss tech-forward industry advancements.

In this past month’s episode, the industry leaders shined a light on how they use technology to increase food safety and crop yield and help spread the reach of the industry via social media.

Western Growers Vice President of Innovation Walt Duflock took to the podcast to discuss the progress of automation in harvesting, including actual harvest robots and how they can help out in the field.

Presenting a host of “out of the box” methods to advance food safety and prevent outbreaks and contaminations, United States Department veteran Barbara Cassens provided valuable insight on the podcast.

In addition, ag tech expert Mariana Vasconcelos provided an inside look on how the digital revolution is accelerating a cultural shift in global agriculture. Vasconcelos started her ag data company Agrosmart when she was 23 years old.

Haden Coleman, who recently wrote an award-winning essay on the power of technology in advancing agriculture, also joined to speak about the importance of using social media for consumer education.

Larry Taylor, Co-Founder of The Yield Lab Asia Pacific, and Mark DeSantis, Chief Executive Officer at Bloomfield Robotics, came together to debunk the idea that artificial intelligence isn't as adaptable as human intelligence when it comes to managing the health of specialty crops.

Be sure to check out the podcast to hear these exclusive industry insights for yourselves.

For more updates from ANUK, stay tuned.

Western Growers