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Ag Secretary: We need more investment in ag
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Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross delivers the keynote speech at the AgTechX Summit, held at Modesto Junior College, on how to get more young people involved in agriculture (SAMANTHA SCHMIDT/The Journal).

The future of agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley was on full display Thursday at the AgTechX Summit, held at the Agricultural Pavilion at Modesto Junior College’s West Campus.

Three hour-long panel discussions that delved into the various components of ag’s future were followed by a “fireside chat” with Karen Ross, state Secretary of the Department and Food and Agriculture. 

“Agriculture is changing so fast and the cycles are going to keep accelerating and, of course, they need to,” said Ross, who returned to the summit on Friday to have breakfast with and speak to about 100 high school and junior college ag students. “For me, one of the biggest concerns is that we still spend the same, or slightly less, on publicly funded agricultural research that could really help identify solutions. Transferring research into knowledge and practical uses on the farm stimulates innovation.”

Ross also pointed to a lack of venture capital coming into the agricultural sector as another challenge facing the industry.

“Venture capitalists will take high risks because it comes with high rewards,” said Ross. "Ag has a slower and lower rate of return, but when you look at feeding a whole world and doing it with more attention to water conservation, food safety … we need more people to say, ‘this is where we need to invest.’

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Sadie Rola, Maddy Carter and Lexie Nunes, members of Turlock Christian's FFA chapter, pose for a photo before the "Breakfast with Secretary Ross" event began (SAMANTHA SCHMIDT/The Journal).

“That’s where the next generation is so critical. That’s the exciting chapter we’re in. We’re living it right now. We need farm kids and we need kids who don’t think ag is for them.”

Two panelists — Megan Nunes, CEO of Bountiful Ag, and Dominic Milano, founder and CEO of Milano Technical Group — fit that profile of not thinking ag was for them.

Nunes, who grew up in Gustine, was an ag science major at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo who ended up in the aerospace industry. She eventually came back to agriculture.

“I’m a big impact person, I want to be able to see my impact,” said Nunes. “So, if you want to be a person to see and feel their impacts in a real and tangible way, the ag industry is critical. It’s an industry that’s never going to go away. We all, as humans, need to eat. Ag is fundamental to our civilization’s survival. And it’s a lot more than what people typically think. It’s more than just digging in the dirt.”

Milano, who grew up in the East Bay area, worked for an auto racing team and traveled around the U.S. and Europe, until the world of agriculture caught his attention.

“The ag industry is diverging very quickly,” said Milano, a resident of Merced. “Ag tech has the widest variety of positions in almost any industry. It is massively diverse. It’s an amazing opportunity for a variety of individuals.”

Among the panelists were Neill Callis, general manager of Turlock Fruit Company; Ron Ratto, co-owner of Ratto Bros. in Modesto; Curtis Gardner, Los Banos native who is co-founder of Verdant Robotics; Oakdale’s Rachelle Antinetti, president of Antinetti Consulting; and Oakdale’s Kristi Marsala, founder of Next Gear Consulting.

Moderators included Turlock’s Ali Cox, CEO of AC&C Marketing; and Modesto’s Josette Lewis, chief science officer for the Almond Board of California.

Ross’s theme on Friday focused on the question of getting more young people involved in agriculture. She praised FFA programs as a pathway to the future.

When asked at what age people should be introduced to ag, Ross answered, “from the beginning,”  through stories, art, gardening and healthy eating. Ag needs to be made real to children. 

“A child cannot aspire to something they’ve never been exposed to,” she said. “We hold the earth in our hands, it's a huge responsibility and one of the most exciting opportunities there is.”

Ross’ remarks were not lost on John Dein, an FFA member at Turlock Christian High School.

“We’re a pretty small chapter, so it was a pretty cool opportunity to hear from the state secretary,” Dean said. “No matter what background you come from, ag or not, there is a place for you in agriculture. I don't come from an ag background, so it made me feel involved.”

— Photographer Samantha Schmidt contributed to this report.