Grow West®

A huge thank you to all who joined us for our Woodland Growers Appreciation Luncheon! We always value the chance to connect, share a great meal, and show our appreciation for the hardworking growers who make our industry thrive. Your trust in Grow West as your ag service provider means the world to us, and we’re grateful for the opportunity to support you. Here’s to growing together!

🐝🌸 Almond Bloom is Here! 🌸🐝 The orchards are buzzing—literally! As our valley's almond trees burst into bloom, millions of bees are hard at work pollinating blossoms, to ensure a successful harvest. Did you know that California almond orchards rely on nearly two-thirds of the nation’s commercial honeybees for pollination each year? That’s over 2 million hives brought in just for this special time! Before bloom, almond growers and beekeepers team up to carefully place hives throughout orchards, ensuring bees have the best access to blossoms while keeping them safe. California produces approximately 80% of the world's almonds, making the collaboration between almond growers, beekeepers, and bees essential. 🐝Pollinators are vital to agriculture, and their success determines the success of the season. Want to learn more about how growers and bees work together? Visit BeeWhere California to learn more. 🐝🌸 Wishing everyone a successful almond season! 🌸🐝 A huge thank you to Grow West Maxwell employee Rachael W. for these amazzzing photos! 🐝

Grow West is proud to support local FFA chapters and watch as the next generation of agriculturalists learn and grow within the industry. Thank you for following along and celebrating National FFA Week with us! #FFAWeek #FFAWeek25 #NationalFFAWeek25 #FFA #FFASupporter #FFAProud

💙💛 Today, we’re celebrating Todd, a proud Arbuckle High School FFA alum whose time in the program helped shape both his character and career. During high school, Todd took on a variety of projects—raising hogs 🐷, growing wheat 🌾, and competing on the Farm Power team. His leadership skills were put to the test as he served as Chapter President his senior year, an experience that gave him invaluable communication and networking skills. “FFA taught me how to speak in front of crowds and provided me with invaluable communication and networking skills. I also learned the value of a dollar and good old hard work,” he shares. But Todd’s FFA legacy didn’t stop with him—his children, son, Tristan (third photo) and daughter, Chasey (fourth photo), continued the family legacy through the Arbuckle FFA Chapter. Tristan served as an FFA officer for two years, competed on multiple judging teams, raised pigs, and won the State Proficiency in Diversified Ag in 2021—going on to place second at Nationals! 🏆 Chasey was an FFA officer for three years, serving as Chapter President her senior year, and raised pigs throughout high school. One of Todd’s proudest moments was watching both Tristan and Chasey earn their American FFA Degrees—the highest honor in FFA. 🎖️ Todd is proud to see the lasting impact of FFA in his family, proving that the values and lessons learned in the blue and gold jacket stay with you for a lifetime. 💙 💛 #FFAWeek #FFAWeek25 #NationalFFAWeek25 #FFA #FFALegacy #ArbuckleFFA #FFAAlumni #FFASupporter #FFAProud

💙💛 Today, we’re celebrating Mike, a proud Gonzales FFA alum whose dedication and hard work took him all the way to earning his American Farmer Degree—the highest honor in FFA! 🎖️ Mike’s FFA journey was filled with hands-on experience, from raising steers 🐂 and growing 6 acres of broccoli 🥦 to competing in agronomy and vegetable judging teams. His leadership extended beyond the field, serving as Gonzales FFA treasurer, chapter president, and Monterey Bay Section president. His dedication paid off with multiple proficiency awards and top finishes in state competitions! Looking back on his time in FFA, Mike shared, “It helped with leadership and decision-making, and it showed me that agriculture could be a career, not just a way of life.” That lesson stuck with him, leading him to earn an agriculture business management degree at Cal Poly, gain his PCA license and make a career in agriculture for over 34 years. Today, he continues his passion as a Grow West PCA out of Woodland, helping growers make informed decisions about their crops. 🌱🚜 Mike’s story is a testament to how FFA shapes futures—not just in agriculture, but in leadership, responsibility, and lifelong skills. #FFAWeek #FFAWeek25 #NationalFFAWeek25 #FFA #GonzalesFFA #FFAAlumni #FFASupporter #FFAProud

💙💛 Today, we're celebrating Rachael, a Maxwell FFA alum whose time in the program helped shape her future! 🎶 From playing in the State Band at the CA State Conference to traveling to Louisville, Kentucky, for the National FFA Convention, Rachael made the most of every opportunity. She was active in leadership activities, fundraisers, and conferences while also raising pigs 🐷 her junior and senior years. Her dedication earned her several chapter awards her senior year, including Proficiency in Swine Production, a Top 20 Point Award, and her Chapter Degree! 🎖️ 🎓 Reflecting on her FFA experience, Rachael shared: "FFA impacted my life by showing me my passion for agriculture in my small town. I started at Chico State as a nutrition major, but I could tell it wasn’t the right fit. I looked back at what I loved in high school—FFA—and chose agriculture from there on out." Through FFA, Rachael didn’t just gain skills and awards—she found her true passion and a path for her future. 🌾🚜 #FFAWeek #FFAWeek25 #NationalFFAWeek25 #FFA #MaxwellFFA #FFAAlumni #FFASupporter #FFAProud

💙💛 Happy National FFA Week! Grow West is a proud supporter of FFA, and we are equally proud of our employees who have been involved in the organization. Throughout the week, we will be featuring a few of our employees who are FFA alumni. Today, we’re celebrating Garrett, a proud Colusa High School FFA alum who made the most of his four years in the program! 🐷 From raising pigs for three years to taking on the challenge of a 🐮 steer, Garrett’s FFA projects taught him responsibility, dedication, and the rewards of hard work. He also excelled in Ag Marketing—placing first 🥇 at the sectional level in both team and individual competitions! Garrett finished off his FFA journey by earning his prestigious State Degree. 🎓 Reflecting on his time in FFA, Garrett shared: "FFA was a huge part of my life in high school and beyond. It taught me responsibility, introduced me to lifelong friends, and gave me experiences I’ll never forget. Plus, the competition made it even more rewarding—you can’t always win, but when you do, it feels that much better!" Through his time in FFA, Garrett gained more than just agricultural experience—he built leadership skills, formed lasting friendships, and learned lessons that stuck with him long after high school. 🚜🌱 #FFAWeek #FFAWeek25 #NationalFFAWeek25 #FFA #ColusaFFA #FFAAlumni #FFASupporter #FFAProud

Grow West’s summer internship program gives students real-world experience and a firsthand look into the role of a PCA. From scouting fields to learning pest management and operations, interns gain valuable skills while building relationships with industry experts. For many, this hands-on experience has been a career-defining opportunity. Learn more about the interns who are shaping the future of agriculture and see why we’re so proud to foster the next generation. Visit the link in bio to read the full article from the 2025 Winter Growing Together® newsletter.

Gary Dodd, a PCA based out of Grow West’s Yuba City retail location, has always stood strong in his philosophy in trust and strong grower connections. ‘It’s all about relationships.’ After more than 50 years of dedicated service to Northern California growers, Gary Dodd has been named the 2024 Rice Consultant of the Year! Notably, he is the first Californian to receive this prestigious award. Known for his expertise, integrity, and problem-solving approach, Gary has been a trusted partner for growers across the region. This award is a testament to his lifelong commitment to agriculture and the incredible support of the Grow West team. Read more about his inspiring career and what makes him a leader in the field, by visiting the link in bio and reading the full article from the 2025 Winter Growing Together® newsletter.

Recent favorable weather conditions could mean increased weed pressure for Northern California growers this season. Starting with strong weed control strategies, including well-timed preemergence herbicides with residual action, will be key to protecting your crops. Whether you’re managing perennial or annual crops, now’s the time to plan ahead. Consult your Grow West PCA to find the best solutions for your weed control program this year.