Wednesday, March 7, 2012 - 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Westlake Village Inn, 31943 Agoura Road, Westlake Village
Near the Lindero Canyon exit of the 101 Freeway
California's Agriculture Industry:
Using Innovation to Feed Growth
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Silicon Valley and Hollywood may get the headlines, but California’s agriculture industry is a major powerhouse of the state’s economy. It generated about $37.5 billion in revenues in 2010, 50% more than the ag industry of any other state, and an additional $100 billion in related economic activity. Its 81,700 farms and ranches – 97% of which are family-owned – employ about 1 million workers.
How do innovation and sustainability keep California's agriculture industry competitive?
Come hear a panel of business owners and industry experts speak about ways their companies and clients are innovating to survive, compete and increase revenue, at the March 7 breakfast meeting of ACG 101.
Our panelists include:
Scott Deardorff, Owner and Partner, Deardorff Family Farms. Established in 1937 and now run by the family’s fourth generation, the Oxnard-based firm produces fruits and vegetables using sustainable farming practices.
Jerry Pogorzelski, Chief Financial Officer, Saticoy Lemon Association. A nonprofit agricultural cooperative founded in 1933, the Saticoy Lemon Association markets its 260 members’ fruit, produced on 12,000 acres of lemon trees, through Sunkist Growers.
Rob Roy, President and General Counsel of the Ventura County Agricultural Association. The Association is a trade organization for growers, shippers and packers of agricultural commodities in Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties.
Jan Berk, Vice President, San Miguel Produce, Inc. From fields on the coastal plains of Oxnard, the company produces leafy green vegetables that are triple-washed, bagged and sold under the Cut ‘n Clean Greens and San Miguel Produce brands. It also distributes Asian-style greens in partnership with other firms.
Our moderator is Griff Barkley, Owner, Barkley Insurance and Risk Management. His firm specializes in helping companies in the agriculture sector control costs and risks related to workers compensation, liability, property and casualty, and management of employee benefits and financial planning.
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