Farmworker innovation challenge winners to be announced in Pasco March 1
Farmworker innovation challenge winners to be announced in Pasco March 1
NBC Right Now (NonStop Local Yakima and Tri-Cities)
PASCO, Wash. - Semillero de Ideas is set to announce the winners of the "Your Ideas Matter, Manzana Challenge 2024" on March 1 at the Mid-Columbia Libraries Pasco Branch at 3 p.m.
The challenge attracted 103 participants from Washington State and Mexico, who submitted innovative ideas to improve work life, production and environmental sustainability in apple orchards. Semillero will host a simultaneous event in Jocotepec, Jalisco, with support from Driscoll’s.
Corporate sponsor Once Upon a Farm is awarding a total of $15,000 to the winners.
"We're proud to support the 'Manzana Challenge' as a platform to showcase and celebrate farmworker's innovative ideas for improving apple harvest," said Once Upon a Farm Director of Sustainability Jane Kuhn.
The panel of judges included industry leaders such as Hermelinda Espinoza, Robin Graham, Juan Carlos Munguia de la Cruz and Jagoda Perich-Anderson.
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association and the Worker and Farmer Labor Association (WAFLA) helped promote the challenge, which saw a doubling of participants compared to last year.