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The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology

Cultivating innovation + change agents in the agriculture industry

AUTOMATION
BIOLOGICALS
NEXT GEN AG WORKERS
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INTRODUCTION


Western Growers is committed to advancing agricultural technology in the fresh produce industry with a team that is just as fluent in the ways of the Central Valley as Silicon Valley. The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology links agtech innovators with growers and shippers, providing our technology partners with the valuable real-world experience that other incubators lack.

ABOUT THE CENTER
36

seats

100+

startups

25+

Yearly Events

35

sponsors

Automation

Engineering automated technologies for
the economic growth and environmental sustainability of agriculture.

Biologicals

Accelerating promising biopesticide companies, assessing new products, 
and enhance grower confidence.

Next Gen AG Workers

With a grant awarded by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) in 2022, Western Growers has launched the Next Gen Ag Workers program, which unites California community colleges, growers and government to guide the next generation of agricultural workers in STEM-focused agricultural careers that are focused on the priority skills gaps set by Western Growers members.

Upcoming Events
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Automation
Biological
Startups

World Ag Expo 2026

[Feb. 10-12 / Tulare, CA]

The International Agri-Center® is home to World Ag Expo®, the largest annual agricultural show of its kind. Held in Tulare, California, World Ag Expo® provides a platform of networking, education, and business in one of the most productive ag counties in the United States. World Ag Expo® hosts over 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. An estimated average of 100,000 individuals from over 70 countries attend World Ag Expo® each year.

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Agtech stories

The Latest News

Do You Know Our WGCIT Resident, Adaviv?
Startups

Do You Know Our WGCIT Resident, Adaviv?

[JAN. 30, 2026]
Damian Mason’s Business of Agriculture podcast has 10 great predictions for agriculture in 2026. I highly encourage everyone to check out the full episode on YouTube (link below). Here are some of the best predictions.
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Damian Mason’s Top 10 Predictions Podcast
Automation
Biological

Damian Mason’s Top 10 Predictions Podcast!

[JAN. 21, 2026]
Damian Mason’s Business of Agriculture podcast has 10 great predictions for agriculture in 2026. I highly encourage everyone to check out the full episode on YouTube (link below). Here are some of the best predictions.
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2025: A Strong Year of Steady Innovation Meets Harsh Realities
Automation
Startups

2025: A Strong Year of Steady Innovation Meets Harsh Realities

[JAN. 20, 2026]
As we reflect on 2025, the agricultural robotics sector was a mixed bag of fluctuating signals. The year saw rapid advancements in automation, driven by AI, precision tech and strategic mergers. This serves as a stark reminder that compelling ROI and value propositions are primary factors for growers to adopt agtech.
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thomas nunes
Startups

Thomas Nunes V from The Nunes Company Joins WGCIT for Lunch and Learn

[MAY. 29, 2025]
To celebrate getting back to “normal” and having agtech startups work in-person at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) more often, there have been a few fun upgrades at the space.
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Western Growers and the California Women for Agriculture
Next Gen AG Workers
Automation
Biologicals

Western Growers and the California Women for Agriculture Coachella Valley Chapter Host Student Ag Careers Tour

[APR. 8, 2025]
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WG’s Walt Duflock Joins Farm Automation Panel
Next Gen AG Workers
Automation

WG’s Walt Duflock Joins Farm Automation Panel at World Agri-Tech Summit in San Francisco

[MAR. 12, 2025]
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Farmer working in a cornfield, using smartphone
Automation

Some Big-Picture Thoughts on Specialty Crop Automation Solutions

[FEB. 3, 2025]
To celebrate getting back to “normal” and having agtech startups work in-person at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) more often, there have been a few fun upgrades at the space.
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farming
Next Gen AG Workers
Biologicals

FARMX: Revolutionizing Agriculture

[JAN. 25, 2025]
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Walt Duflock Talks the Future of California Ag
Next Gen AG Workers

Walt Duflock Talks the Future of California Ag with The Modern Acre Podcast

[DEC. 18, 2024]
Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers, joined The Modern Acre podcast (Episode 382) to discuss California’s pressing labor challenges.
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STARTUPS
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Ganaz Featured
Automation

Ganaz

Hannah Freeman

Ganaz is a workforce management platform for agriculture with a mass communications system as its first tool.
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ecorobot
Automation

Ecorobotix

Jose Marchetti

Smart Sprayer robotics solution for ultra-localised treatments of row crops, pastures and lawns
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Tric Overhead
Automation

TRIC Robotics

Adam Stager

TRIC Robotics is an agricultural technology company helping farmers control pests and disease using ultraviolet light as an alternative for chemical pesticides.
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heavyconnect
Automation

HeavyConnect

Patrick Zelaya

HeavyConnect is the World’s Easiest Compliance App. We improve our customer’s regulatory compliance with a powerful web dashboard and an easy-to-use mobile app.
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Lahakx
Drone
Automation

Lahakx

Eylon Sorek

Skyx.Solutions is an agricultural-robotics technology company enabling a modular fleet of autonomous drones for spraying.
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impello feature
Automation

Inteligistics

Rao Mandava

Inteligistics offers innovative cool chain temperature visibility solutions to the fresh produce industry using “Internet of Things” and “Big Data” technologies.
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