Voices of the Valley

Western Growers
  • 4.9 (11)
  • FOOD
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Do you want to go behind the scenes and learn about how the food gets on your table? Hear about the complex world of agricultural policy, food safety, crop protection, disease control and more from the most influential people working in farming. Be sure to tune in each week as we delve deeper into the inner workings of our food system.

  1. 09/03/2025

    Six Generations of Farming in California’s Central Valley

    On the latest episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers hangs out with Cannon Michael, President and CEO of Bowles Farming Company, and the sixth generation to run his family’s farm. Cannon takes us behind the scenes of a truly unique operation that grows everything from tomatoes and melons to pistachios and cotton, while also caring for thousands of acres of wildlife habitat. Cannon also discusses the importance of water to California agriculture, his work on regional waterboards and how Bowles Farming is investing in sustainability and leadership to shape the future of farming.

    28 min

  2. 07/29/2025

    Four Generations of Farming with the Talleys

    In this episode, we sit down with Grant and Elizabeth Talley — fourth-generation farmers from one of California’s most respected agricultural families. From vineyards to vegetable fields to grass-fed beef, the Talley's are carrying forward a legacy that began in 1948 in the Arroyo Grande Valley. Hear how they’re honoring family traditions, embracing innovation and educating the next generation — all while growing the food and wine that nourish California and beyond. This episode offers a heartfelt look into the life of a modern farming family.

    23 min

  3. 07/16/2025

    Picking Memories at Tanaka Farms

    Nestled in the heart of Irvine, Calif., Tanaka Farms is morethan just a working farm—it’s a living story of resilience, tradition and community. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers’ Cory Lunde talks to fourth-generation farmer Kenny Tanaka. Join us as we dig into thefarm’s rich history, the vibrant “you-pick” experiences that let visitors harvest their own strawberries, pumpkins and more, and the many educational programs that bring kids and families closer to where their food comes from.

    24 min

  4. 07/07/2025

    Agtech’s Field of Dreams in Salinas

    In this Voices of the Valley episode, Western Growers Senior Vice President, Innovation, Walt Duflock and The Reservoir CEO Danny Bernstein introduce Reservoir Farms, a first-of-its-kind initiative in Salinas, Calif., where agtech startups can work with growers to do field trials of their technologies. In tandem with endeavors from the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, Reservoir is trying to solve one of ag’s biggest problems: there is simply not enough labor to get crops out of the field and onto dinner tables. “We have a big and growing line-item expense challenge with growers in California,” Duflock says. “The best and maybe only realistic scalable solution for that is robots.”

    29 min

  5. 04/21/2025

    The 411 on H-2A

    Curious to know how America’s farms fill the jobs that are essential for our food supply? In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we dive into the H-2A program, a vital but often misunderstood part of our agricultural workforce, with Western Growers Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel, Jason Resnick. Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to better understand the legal and operational ins and outs of the H-2A program, this conversation breaks it all down. Tune in to get some insight on how the program really works, what growers need to know and why it’s more important than ever.

    26 min

  6. 03/04/2025

    The Canyon House - A Sanctuary for Draft Horses

    In this Voices of the Valley episode, Sarah Rodriguez of Legacy Cooling shares the story of The Canyon House, a sanctuary where draft horses, once used for intense farm labor and carriage rides and now cast aside and destined for tragedy—can spend their days in peace. "Every horse that comes here is going to die at some point," Sarah said. "But here, they get to live their last years with dignity."

    25 min

  7. 02/19/2025

    Agritourism: From Goat Yoga to Pumpkin Patches

    In this episode we’re joined by Bailey Myers, the Director of Marketing at Owyhee Produce in Parma, Idaho, to talk about the extensive agritourism offerings she’s set up at her farm. She’s hopeful that her agritourism events - including on-farm AirBnB stays, tours, commodity festivals and farm-to-fork dinners - can help build consumer confidence in how food gets to their table. Much of the American population is now four or five generations removed from the farm, she says, and it’s imperative for growers to educate people in order to bridge that knowledge gap. "People trust farmers, but they don’t trust farming,” Bailey says, as she talks about her goal of giving people a “lightbulb moment” when they visit Owyhee.

    29 min

  8. 01/14/2025

    Connecting Community to Farms and Fields

    In this episode, we talk to Students for Eco-Education and Agriculture (SEEAG) and explore how the organization inspires a deeper connection to the agricultural industry by promoting a greater understanding of how food gets from farm to table. SEEAG is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging the gap between farmers and the community by educating students and the public about the origins of their food. Through interactive programs, farm tours and hands-on activities, SEEAG connects participants with local agriculture, fostering an appreciation for the farmers who grow and harvest the fresh produce that nourishes us.

    24 min
See All (167)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
11 Ratings

About

Do you want to go behind the scenes and learn about how the food gets on your table? Hear about the complex world of agricultural policy, food safety, crop protection, disease control and more from the most influential people working in farming. Be sure to tune in each week as we delve deeper into the inner workings of our food system.

Information

  • Creator
    Western Growers
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    167
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Western Growers
  • Show Website
    Voices of the Valley