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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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Agrology Featured
Automation

Agrology

Adam Koeppel

Agrology offers climate and carbon monitoring systems based on ground-truth data and machine learning
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farmwise feature
Automation

Farm Wise

Sebastian Boyer

Allied Vision has been developing industrial machine vision cameras for customers by focusing on what counts
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AC-Planta
Biological

Ac-Planta

Jong-Myong Kim

Ac-Planta introduces Skeepon, an innovative plant biostimulant designed to support growers in overcoming drought and heat challenges. This proprietary solution is compatible with all crop types. By leveraging cutting-edge biotechnology – epigenetics, our product strengthens plants’ resilience to heat and drought, ultimately leading to amplified yields.
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nexus feature
Automation

Nexus Robotics

Luc Labbé

Nexus Robotics has designed and built a robot that accurately extracts the root of weeds near the crop.
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Pago Badge Scan
Automation

Pago

Mike Dodson

Pago is creating a smarter food supply, one app at a time.
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farming
Automation

MagrowTec

Gary Wickham

MagrowTec is a revolutionary spray technology that maximizes the efficacy of your crop protection products protecting your yield potential and improving your bottom line.
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