Grower-Shipper Association Foundation

The ag jobs program is a an annual educational event created through a collaboration between the California state university monterey bay, and the grower shipper Association Foundation. It provides a series of public forums featuring speakers and panel discussions from community members, academic researchers, elected officials, public agencies, and agricultural representatives. The series addresses agricultural issues important to agriculture and the larger community, and is designed to inform college students and the general public. Ag jobs: bringing a greater vision 2023 innovation in ag: the future is now! Was held on octorber 2, 2023. Over 300 students and community members attended the event and career & internship fair that followed.

Ag against hunger program is to help alleviate hunger and combat food waste by channeling surplus produce to food banks and food assistance programs.in 2023, due to the covid-19 pandemic, there are still on-site liability issues. The program has had to postpone all of its in person gleaning activities. The executive director however, is working with growers and local food banks to develop the gleaning program in the near future. We plan on hosting up to 10 gleaning events in 2024. The ag against hunger program hosted the annual ag woman of the year award luncheon, which celebrates a local woman that contributes to the ag industry as an innovative leader.

Agknowledge provides policy makers and other community leaders the opportunity to "walk in the shoes of a farmer" so that they may see monterey county through the eyes of those directly involved in the many facets of agriculture. The nine monthly seminars take program fellows throughout the diverse geography of monterey county with farm tours and hands on experiences. 23 community members were accepted into the program in 2023 to participate in the nine-month executive educational program. Agknowledge provides participating fellows a deeper understanding about the heritage, diversity, stewardship and complexity of monterey county agriculture and the interdependencies of agriculture, local government and the community.