AgTechX Ed, presented by the Western Growers, will be held Wednesday at 1 p.m. at the Modesto Junior College West Campus Agriculture Pavilion, 2201 Blue Gum Ave., Modesto. 

State Secretary of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross will be on hand for a “fireside chat,” according to a press release sent out by the Western Growers.

The event is part of the AgTechX Ed Initiative — a statewide effort, led by Western Growers and Ross, to cultivate a future workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate emerging on-farm technology. 

The AgTechX Ed Summit at MJC will be comprised of three panels covering topics including: industry issues and skill identification; education and workforce development strategies; and current and future workforce needs on the farm. Confirmed keynote speakers include Ross and MJC Vice President of Instruction Brian Sanders. Panelists and moderators include Neill Callis, general manager of Turlock Fruit Company; Ron Ratto, president of Ratto Bros.; Megan Nunes, CEO of Bountiful Ag, and Josette Lewis, chief science officer of the Almond Board of California.

Western Growers was founded in 1926 and represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide more than half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce.

Registration for the event is free.