This week, Patrick Kelly sits down with Silvia Restrepo, a prominent leader in agricultural education and research from Cornell University. Together, they discuss how education is shaping the future of agriculture, from empowering the next generation of industry professionals to fostering innovation and sustainability. Silvia shares insights into the evolving role of universities in supporting the produce industry and why investing in knowledge is key to long-term success.

This week on Fresh from the Field Fridays!

Ross the Produce Boss is fresh back from Idaho with an inside look at the onion

harvest—how they’re sorted, sized, packed, and stored for the season. We’ve

both got garden updates: in Dan’s backyard, the Bosc pear tree is loaded with

beautiful golden-russet fruit. We’ll also share how to tell the difference

between when Bartlett-type pears and variety pears are truly ready to eat.

Ross is talking salad bowls (and has a message for the

producers of those bowls), Also on his table are celery hearts and Persian

cukes. Kiwi berries, quince, and more on Dan’s table as he shares the striking beauty

of russeting on California Golden Delicious apples.

It’s all right here on Fresh from the Field Fridays,

from the Produce Industry Network and AgLife Media!

In this episode of the Global Fresh Series, we sit down with Dave McCary of ZAG Technical Services to explore how cybersecurity and ransomware are reshaping the fresh produce industry. From recent high-profile attacks on produce companies to the hidden vulnerabilities in supply chains, Dave shares why protecting data and operations is just as critical as protecting the crops themselves. We discuss the real costs of downtime, how hackers exploit weaknesses, and the steps growers, shippers, and distributors can take today to safeguard their businesses — and the global food supply — from digital threats.

First Class Sponsor: Peak of the Market: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://peakofthemarket.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Premium Sponsor: Zag Technological Services, Inc.: https://www.zagtech.com/

Premium Sponsor: Avocados from Colombia: https://avocadoscolombia.com/

Premium Sponsor: The Fruit & Vegetable Dispute Resolution Corporation: https://fvdrc.com/

Global Women Fresh: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://globalwomenfresh.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠