News

In celebration of Earth Day, we are looking at how Salinas farmers are turning to technology to solve a wide array of environmental challenges. As a key agricultural region in the United States, it’s no surprise that Salinas is home to many companies that are leveraging technology to become more sustainable. From solar-powered cooling facilities...

From startup incubators and business development programs, to apprenticeships, higher education institutions and classrooms in the field, Salinas, CA boasts a variety of resources tailored to help agriculture entrepreneurs succeed. Among them includes Salinas-based Agriculture and Land-Based Training Association (ALBA), an organization that helps aspiring farmers develop organic farming and management skills, pursue the dream...

Digital Journal last week highlighted agtech innovation in the Salinas Valley in an article titled, “Salinas, CA: Where startups are innovating in AgTech.” In his article, Digital Journal reporter Tim Sandle talks about how startups and major growers alike are working to solve agriculture issues related to production, transparency and safety by testing and advancing new technologies...

  Thanks to disruptive technologies like blockchain, AI and IoT, the food supply chain is today more intelligent than ever. And as industry leaders tap new, innovative concepts to solve challenges and improve practices in the agriculture industry, the Salinas Valley agtech ecosystem continues to grow and thrive. In 2018, we explored four tech trends...

On March 26 and March 27, Hartnell College will host its sixth annual Salinas Valley Agricultural Technology Summit on the Hartnell College Main Campus in Salinas. The year’s event will be hosted by the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute at Hartnell College in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Association of Pest...

On Wednesday, March 27, THRIVE will host its annual Innovation Summit at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California. The Innovation Summit will include an Innovation Showcase featuring THRIVE Top 50 startups, THRIVE Accelerator companies and alumni, as well as panels and discussions with Fortune 500 food and agriculture corporations surrounding topics such as blockchain,...

Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) recently launched a new podcast, “Voices of the Valley.”  The podcast features key insight from leaders within the agriculture technology sector and explores the latest challenges and developments in agtech innovation. Recent episodes include interviews with two resident companies at WGCIT, Kevin France of SWIIM Systems and Patrick...

The Salinas Valley agtech community boasts ample resources to help young entrepreneurs and aspiring industry leaders successfully turn a business idea into a reality. Salinas is among the agtech ecosystems nationwide that has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. What’s more, a report by capital venture firm Finistere Ventures shows that $6.7 billion was...

Salinas-based Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) this month celebrated its three-year anniversary. To celebrate the milestone, WGCIT leaders hosted an exclusive event that included a fireside chat surrounding the state of the agricultural industry, and the unveiling of the following new initiatives: Grower Trial Network: A select group of WG members that...