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\\u201cWe\'re now working on robots that can go through a field, and through imagery, differentiate between weeds, plants, and insects, and target them as they go along.\\u201d - Jenny Maloney (11:24 - 11:47)

Lori Taylor
The Produce Moms

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Jenny Maloney is a Food Chain and Sustainability Manager at Bayer Crop Science. She is extremely passionate and knowledgable about the agriculture industry, and she has been instrumental in starting many of the farmer\'s markets in the Fresno, CA area. She grew up on a small farm, and she has witnessed the transformation of the agriculture industry first-hand.

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Technology Has Transformed the Agriculture Industry

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Technology has had an enormous impact on almost every industry during the last few decades, and agriculture is no exception. In the earlier days of the twentieth century, farmers and growers had to be creative to remain profitable. Animals were heavily involved in the harvesting process, and approximately 30% of the workforce took part in agriculture.

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Today, we have robots that can go through the fields, and through imagery, differentiate between weeds, plants, and insects. We can use drone imagery to see the changes in a field over the span of a few years. Growers have access to large amounts of data that enable them to make better decisions. Also, agriculture only accounts for 2% of the workforce today, as a result of the vastly increased efficiency in the industry.

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\\u201cFor any young women that are interested in a career in agriculture, the opportunities are endless as long as they are eager to learn, and are willing to work hard.\\u201d

- Jenny Maloney (15:31 - 15:49)

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The Increased Role of Women in Agriculture

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Traditionally, women\\u2019s roles were limited in the agriculture industry, but today the opportunities are endless, and there are various ways to get involved. For example, women can identify consumer trends like the rising popularity of avocados, and create marketing plans that encourage people to eat more avocado toast. They are also increasingly active on the field. With an understanding of crop weather patterns, they can help in making decisions on when to harvest, when to fertilize, and more.

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The industry mindset has significantly evolved regarding women\'s role in agriculture. It is no longer uncommon for women to occupy upper management roles in industry-leading companies like Bayer, both in the United States and globally. Today, for young women that are willing to learn and work hard, the sky is the limit in the agriculture industry.

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Modern Agriculture is Encouraging Kids to Eat Fresh Produce

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Fresh fruits and vegetables are a crucial part of a healthy diet for both adults and kids, but research has shown that most kids in America are not getting their daily recommended amount. It is a difficult problem to solve because children generally aren\\u2019t predisposed to liking vegetables. Modern farming and innovative companies like Bayer Crop Science are taking a multi-prong approach in making fresh produce more palatable for kids.

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Bayer and other companies are partnering with various school districts and donating equipment to make vegetables more accessible to kids in those communities. They\\u2019re also working to encourage kids to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables when they are not in school. However, there\\u2019s more to making vegetables appealing to kids than just introducing it to them. It helps to pique their interest in fresh produce and to make it fun for them to eat.

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To help make vegetables more exciting and fun for kids, Bayer has undertaken some innovative projects. They are working on home garden products, which can be an excellent opportunity for kids to grow their own food in their backyards. This would help them develop a connection with healthy produce, and they\\u2019ll be more likely to eat it. On a larger scale, they are working on seed technology, the vast majority of which are non-GMO, that makes fruits and vegetables more palatable to kids, in a way that\'s sustainable to all stakeholders.

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\\u201cI think a lot of people probably have no idea about the incredible things happening at the seed level to help increase the consumption of fruits and vegetables.\\u201d - Lori Taylor (33:19 - 33:30)

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Organic vs. Conventional Farming

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Many people are confused about whether or not it is really important to eat organic vegetables. With current farming and environmental standards, they\\u2019d be happy to know that it is absolutely safe to eat either kind. The difference lies in how they are grown. There are rigorous standards in place to get the USDA Organic seal, and growers are not allowed to use any synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. So, organic farmers have to come up with more natural, and mostly manual, ways to prevent pests from destroying their crops. As far as vegetables that are farmed conventionally, the EPA has stringent rules in place for both the development and use of synthetic crop protection products.

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As technology increases, the produce industry will continue to move forward as well. However, in the midst of all of the change, the importance of fresh produce remains the same. Organic or conventional, make sure your family is getting plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, to stay healthy and strong. \\xa0

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How to get involved

• Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week!
• Reach out to us - we\\u2019d love to hear more about where you\\u2019re at in life and business! Find out more here.
• You can connect with Jenny on LinkedIn, and keep up with all the new innovations from Bayer Crop Science.

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If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we\\u2019d love for you to help us spread the word!