California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross joined industry and community leaders for the official opening of the 2026 World Ag Expo in Tulare today, followed by an on-site meeting of the State Board of Food and Agriculture on Ag Tech and workforce issues and opportunities. She previewed the event yesterday on local TV station ABC 30, speaking about the generational challenges facing producers and underscoring the importance of focusing on workforce development, especially given the advances in agricultural technology. She spoke also about the opportunity to “engage with people who might not think about how food gets to them, or how much of it comes from California.”
Secretary Ross also was on-hand for this morning’s announcement of the “We Believe in Growing” scholarship recipients, presented by World Ag Expo and Coast Counties Peterbilt. The program recognizes outstanding California students pursuing agricultural careers, supporting these future industry leaders with funding for education. The 2026 winners are Kaedyn Plann and Tanner Verhoeven, who each received $10,000 scholarships. High school seniors from Madera, Fresno, Tulare, Kings, and Kern counties were invited to apply, and eligible students must plan to attend a four-year college or university and pursue a degree in agriculture.
This year, the World Ag Expo is expecting more than 100,000 visitors from 70 countries. The event covers more than 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, and hosts over 1,200 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge technology and equipment over a three-day period. Beyond the tractors, tools and products, there are also educational opportunities, including talks by agricultural experts – and even cooking demonstrations by California Grown featuring Golden State produce. New this year: the Women’s Conference Pavilion celebrates the International Year of the Woman Farmer with panel discussions, networking opportunities and more. Enjoy this annual showcase of California’s agricultural excellence.
Secretary Ross (standing) speaking with attendees at the World Ag Expo Opening Ceremony today.