Sal Parra, Director of Farming of Burford Ranch in Fresno, California will share his story of farming, describing his journey and the products he has worked with over the last 14 years. An overview of the food processing channel will be reviewed, along with current challenges and active solutions that are occurring in the farming and agriculture workforce. Sal will provide insight into the importance of quality that is placed on products entering the retail space and how this impacts the farmer. He will discuss best practices among those that continue to earn a living by doing what they love: farming and providing consumers with nourishing foods. The audience will leave with actionable steps and additional questions to consider as they build or maintain relationships with farmers, in order to best educate their clients and consumers.