Woolf Farming & Processing President and CEO Stuart Woolf has been selected as the next Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors.
Woolf, who was first elected to the board in 2015, will serve a two-year term.
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Driving the news: Woolf oversees a family-owned operation based out of Fresno that grows crops such as almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, grapes, onions, garlic, wheat and hay.
- He has also been involved in establishing Harris Woolf California Almonds and Los Gatos Tomato Products.
- Taking over as the chair is nothing new to Woolf, who has experience as the chairman of the California League of Food Processors, the Almond Board of California and the UC President’s Commission of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
- Western Growers’ other officers are Vice Chair Rob Yracebruru, President of Wonderful Orchards; Treasurer Neill Callis, General Manager, Turlock Fruit Co.; Executive Secretary Don Cameron, Vice President and General Manager of Terranova Ranch; and President and CEO Dave Puglia.
- Outgoing Chair Albert Keck, Ryan Talley of Talley Farms and Catherine Fanucchi of Tri-Fanucchi Farms are also on the Executive Committee.
What they’re saying: “Western Growers is set up to meet the needs of the fresh produce industry in the Western U.S. by focusing on issues like immigration, labor and water rights,” Woolf said. “We need a good, strong, trusted voice. As Chair, I know that Western Growers will continue to be that voice for issues that impact all of agriculture.”
- Puglia said he is excited to work with Woolf more closely as he takes over as Chair.
- “Resilience and adaptability are among the many attributes that define our industry,” Puglia said. “Stuart Woolf perfectly embodies those characteristics, bolstered by a knack for pragmatic collaboration in even the toughest situations.”
