Developers, there is a worthy cause directly linked to agricultural technology, and today we pause to consider your contributions to that worthy cause.
As with any industry, large or small or in the middle, there is case for good works and your sponsorship of those good works.
The ag tech sector does much of its groundwork and business in the San Joaquin Valley. This region, as you may know, is ironically and simultaneously one of the planet’s most productive areas and one of the nation’s most chronically depressed.
It is a place where hunger is visible, tangible.
My friend Andy Souza, CEO of the Community Food Bank, which distributes in six San Joaquin Valley counties, notes a tenfold increase in the past four years.
This is drought-linked, of course, but that’s not really relevant. Kenny Watkins, first vice president of the California Farm Bureau Federation and AgTech Roundtable colleague, sees the need first-hand from his farm. He works with his Young Farmers and Ranchers on the highly successful Farm-to-Food Bank donation program.
Here’s the connection: Your customer base would like it if you reached out and lent a helping hand to the California Association of Food Banks (CAFB).
Here’s your official invitation from Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Ag and blogger.
December is Farm-to-Food Bank Month. There is a link to the CAFB donation page, where they’re glad to take your monetary donation and/or time.
All of the folks above help me with a second pro bono group, the California Food Waste Roundtable, which is the sister organization to the AgTech Roundtable.
About 30 percent to 40 percent of food is wasted, according to Dana Gunders, Natural Resources Defense Council scientist, Roundtable participant and author of the recent book Waste-Free Kitchen.
After working with Dana for the past three years, I’ve come to admire her innovative and thorough research in an area that is manifestly not-for-profit. Give the website a read and do some click-worthy research. You’ll be at once motivated and appalled.
We — you are included in this now! follow simple counsel from Secretary Ross: “Feed hungry people!” The next best thing is to reduce food waste, which is double-down conservation as it saves water, energy and soil too.
Design better ag tech. Do well doing good. Feed hungry people!
