Western Growers Science

Happy Holidays from the Western Growers Science team! 🌱🎆

Did you know? In 2023, nearly 80% of onions available in the U.S. were grown domestically, with Washington, California and Oregon leading production. 🚜🧅 As onion production continues to grow, it's essential to focus on food safety best practices to maintain quality and reduce risk. Whether you're managing irrigation water, perfecting your curing process or ensuring your harvest is handled with care, these key practices can help improve your crop's safety and shelf life. At Western Growers, we've developed a comprehensive guide to onion food safety, offering growers essential resources for improving practices, managing risks and ensuring quality from farm to table. 👉 Check out our latest Onion FAQ & Resources: https://lnkd.in/g2Q4S8xH #FoodSafety #ProduceSafety #AgTech #WesternGrowers

Are you ready to learn about data, collaborate on projects and meet other data enthusiasts? Join the data cultivation workgroup (DCW) this new year! The DCW is more than a group – it’s a community of forward-thinkers, problem-solvers and collaborators. 🤝 By joining, you will: ✅ Build Knowledge: Improve your data literacy and skills through expert presentations and peer discussions. ✅ Foster Collaboration: Connect with professionals across the value chain to share insights, tackle challenges and drive collective progress. ✅ Drive Innovation: Help design and execute data-driven projects that advance agriculture and education, shaping the future of our industry. 📅 January Meeting: Our first meeting of the year is expected to be held in January. Please stay tuned for more details. 💡Who Should Attend? Whether you’re a data expert, agricultural professional, researcher, or someone passionate about using data for smarter decision-making, this is your opportunity to contribute. ➡️ Ready to join? Fill out this form: https://brnw.ch/21wPx1w #DataScience #AgTech #FutureOfAg #DataCultivation #ForwardThinkers #WesternGrowers #AgScience

Are you looking for ways to boost soil health, improve yields and manage weeds while reducing pesticide use? Cover crops might be the solution you’re searching for.🌱 Join us on January 16th for an exciting field day at Dole Farms to discover how integrating cover crops can boost sustainability outcomes in vegetable production systems. Here’s what you’ll learn: ✅ Boost soil health and improve yields ✅ Cycle nitrogen and control erosion ✅ Suppress weeds and reduce pesticide use ✅ Create habitats for beneficial insects Join us for an insightful field day at Dole Farms! 📅 When: Thursday, January 16th, 2025 📍 Where: Soledad, CA 💻 Register here: https://brnw.ch/21wPvhU #Sustainability #Agriculture #FieldDay #AgTech #WesternGrowers #RegenerativeAgriculture #SustainableFarming #CoverCrops

One of the challenges in designing systems to measure food safety improvement is that as you start, it may make processes or products appear riskier. 🌱 ⚠️ As you set out collecting information to build an effective measurement system, be aware that baseline data may be different than expected, and that it may end up identifying unknown hazards or risks. Despite the risk of suddenly knowing, there is far more risk (illness, regulatory, legal) in not knowing. For more insights, read our latest article: https://brnw.ch/21wPn7g #FoodSafety #DataDriven #RiskManagement #Agriculture #DataScience #WesternGrowers

"We are proud to work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to collaborate and contribute to conservation of the iconic monarch butterfly. Our members have demonstrated that agriculture and pollinator conservation work hand in hand, and Western Growers is grateful for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service support of the agriculture industry. We look forward to continuing our work together as we develop and implement positive solutions to meet our shared goal — thriving pollinator conservation and feeding the world.” – Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director at Western Growers Learn more about the proposal: https://brnw.ch/21wPlGE #EndangeredSpeciesAct #Conservation #Biodiversity #MonarchButterfly

How do we define a STEC positive, and why is it so critical for produce safety? 🧫🌱 The answer isn’t simple—it depends on molecular methods, regulatory frameworks and how testing programs are designed. Understanding what defines a STEC positive is essential for improving food safety, from identifying shiga toxin genes to using advanced methods like droplet digital PCR. Learn more in our latest article: Deciphering STEC positives in Molecular Screening Methods for Produce Testing https://brnw.ch/21wPket Stay tuned as we delve deeper into this critical topic over the coming weeks. #FoodSafety #ProduceTesting #STECDetection #PublicHealth #Pathogens #Agriculture #WesternGrowers

Decisions backed by data lead to better outcomes, from food safety to crop management. With accurate and timely information, growers can spot trends, assess risks and make informed decisions that improve both the quality and safety of their produce. 📊🌱 In an industry where precision matters, data isn’t just helpful—it’s essential for progress. #DataDriven #FoodSafety #DataScience #Agriculture #Greenlink #Innovation #DataMatters

Carrot Food Safety Best Practices Every Grower Should Know 🌱🥕 Ensuring the safety and quality of your crops starts with the right practices at every stage. From land preparation to storage, the steps growers take can significantly impact both the quality and safety of the final product. Here are three key practices to consider: 1. Ensure clean land and water sources to prevent contamination risks. 2. Sanitize equipment and washing water to reduce cross-contamination. 3. Store carrots under optimal conditions to maximize shelf life. By following these best practices, growers can produce safe, high-quality produce while minimizing risks. For more resources, visit: https://brnw.ch/21wPc75 #CarrotFoodSafety #GrowerResources #WesternGrowers #SustainableFarming #AgBestPractices #FoodSafety #FreshProduce

Floods can pose significant risks to farming, but timely assessment and proper soil sampling can help ensure your fields are safe for replanting. These steps can provide a roadmap for reducing contamination risks and making informed decisions. 🌱🧪 Swipe through to learn more about flood assessment and soil testing recommendations for safe replanting after flood events. 👇 For more detailed information, check out our bulletin here ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21wPaqs #FloodAssessment #SoilSampling #FarmSafety #FoodSafety #Agriculture #SustainableFarming #CropProtection #FarmManagement #Replanting #WesternGrowers