Latest WGCIT Resident Town Hall
Posted on October 04, 2021 13:43 PM by elyons
On Monday, September 27, 2021, Dennis Donohue hosted a ‘Resident Town Hall’ meeting for agtech startup and entrepreneurs. Dennis is the Executive Director of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas, and provided an overview and update of the following with the agtech innovators:
- Western Growers Annual Meeting – November 7-10, 2021 (link https://www.wgannualmeeting.com/)
- AgSharks 2021 Funding Competition – November 9, 2021 (link https://2021agsharks.splashthat.com/)
- Organic Growers Summit – December 1-2, 2021 (link https://www.organicgrowersummit.com)
- AgTechX – TBD January 2022, Desert Event
Dennis then introduced the WGCIT participants to Jason Gianelli, the Farm Manager for Wegis and Young based in Bakersfield. Jason is a frequent participant in our Grower Trial Network and has worked with a number of WGCIT startups in the past. Jason discussed the challenges unique to the Central Valley and Kern County, and the trials and tribulations growers face statewide. Jason also spoke about technologies he uses on the farm every day and what he is interested in learning more about. Jason also divulged that he is often interfacing with the field remotely as late as 11 pm and midnight, and then checks on farming operations between 4 am – 5 am every morning. Technology is allowing for easier monitoring, but it does not take away the need for farmers and growers with experience in the field. Jason also said that he is more apt to adopt something that a trusted source, like his PCA, suggests than a ‘cold call’ sales visit. This highlights the need for innovators to understand the supply chain and learn who they need to introduce to their products or services to. Jason closed by answering a few questions from the virtual audience.
We had sixteen of the WGCIT portfolio companies attend this Resident Town Hall. A recording of the Town Hall is available to WGCIT companies and sponsors here: https://vimeo.com/617186792. As we ‘reopen’ for business, we expect the next Town Hall event to be in-person, at the Center.