The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas is experiencing an exceptionally active week as industry, government and regional partners converge for key conversations on agricultural technology, policy and innovation.

With the AgSafe Conference taking place in Monterey, the WGCIT will host a visit from the U.S. Department of Labor, including Deputy Assistant Secretary Wood Laihow. The center has convened a group of growers to participate in a roundtable discussion with the visiting delegation. Given this week’s rain across Central California, field demonstrations will be postponed. Instead, Secretary Wood Laihow’s team will receive an in-depth overview of current agricultural technology advancements housed within the WGCIT. A follow-up visit will be scheduled to allow the delegation to see these technologies deployed in the field under normal conditions. Walt Duflock, Western Growers’ Senior Vice President of Innovation, will open the meeting and introduce the grower participants, setting the stage for a productive dialogue between producers and federal leadership.

WGCIT will additionally host Emilio Contreras, Representative Zoe Lofgren’s newly appointed agricultural staffer, for two important meetings. Contreras will first meet with Salinas Mayor Dennis Donohue to discuss the region’s unique agricultural landscape and the role of the WGCIT in shaping the future of agtech. Later in the day, he will meet with Walt Duflock to learn more about Western Growers’ innovation priorities, including emerging work in automation and biologicals. Contreras also has several meetings planned with grower–shipper–processor organizations throughout the region to gain a comprehensive understanding of local needs and opportunities.

On Tuesday evening, AgTech Alchemy will host a networking event at the AgSafe Conference in Monterey. The gathering is designed to connect directly with the broad range of industry professionals the conference attracts, fostering collaboration across the safety, compliance and innovation communities.

While activities continue on the Central Coast, Western Growers will also be represented in Washington, D.C. this week. Walt Duflock and Ben Palone will participate in a series of USDA meetings on behalf of the organization, ensuring growers’ innovation needs and policy priorities are clearly communicated at the federal level.