Courtesy Roberta CookRoberta Cook, University of California-Davis Her research on the California fresh produce industry has earned agricultural economist Roberta Cook a reputation for crossing the boundaries between business and government, farm and university, the U.S. and Mexico.
At the University of California, Davis, Cook is a cooperative extension marketing economist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, a role she’s held since 1985. She also serves on the boards of Ocean Mist Farms and Naturipe Farms, as she did before at Sunkist Growers and for California’s kiwifruit and tomato commissions.
Cook’s research publications analyze diverse topics from the changing competitive landscape in U.S. produce sales to international market conditions, food safety, labor, the greenhouse industry and multiple commodities.
But grower-shippers also value her personal presence as a seminar leader or guest speaker.
For eight years, Cook directed the California Agribusiness Executive Seminar, still held every other year in Monterey, Calif. The invitation-only event remains a draw for industry peers.
Joe Pezzini, chief operating officer at Ocean Mist, has attended three.
“She’s connected enough to produce case studies of real-life companies,” Pezzini said. “What makes those unique is that you actually get to talk to the CEO of that company and ask them about the case. You had Bruce Taylor there, answering questions about Taylor Farms. Her intent is to get candid feedback from those brave enough to do a case study.”
“For Taylor Farms, I looked at the fact they were diversifying into retail, and whether you can pursue a branded strategy in retail versus private label,” Cook said. “We don’t hold these seminars to impart information or listen to speakers; it’s to help executives think strategically.”
Seminar regular Karen Caplan, president of Frieda’s Inc., once invited Cook to meet with Federal Reserve Bank officials at the bank’s Los Angeles branch.
“She gave a fantastic presentation about the challenges on water, politics and labor law,” Caplan said. “She provides a nice balance on the reality of doing business in the produce industry, especially for a grower-based organization that’s oriented more to soil and growing conditions and not so much to marketing.”
Cook, 57, has spoken to trade association and produce meetings in Chile, Mexico, Guatemala, Italy and Spain.
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