Editor’s Note: On May 29 at this year’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, Calif., The Packer and the Equitable Food Initiative will present the third annual Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year award. To recognize the critical role farmworkers have in the fresh produce industry, The Packer is spotlighting each of this year’s five finalists, who were selected from nominations submitted in February.
Jesús Gutiérrez Manuel is a distinguished agricultural professional with over 15 years of industry experience and a reputation so profound that 12 individuals across multiple organizations nominated him for this year’s Farmworker of the Year award. Since 2019, he has been a pillar of high-performance teams, rising through the ranks from harvester and fruit checker to crew leader for Stemilt Growers.
Gutiérrez Manuel’s leadership is defined by a rare ability to harmonize team dynamics, where he is equally admired by his peers for his motivational guidance and respected by management for his consistent, high-quality results. He operates with a holistic view of the industry, treating his work not just as a job but as an essential service where communication and cooperation are the keys to success.
What sets Gutiérrez Manuel apart is his relentless pursuit of innovation and professional excellence. In 2024, he received an honorable mention in a prestigious industry innovation challenge for creating a “Decalogue for the Field Professional,” a strategic framework designed to improve efficiency and resilience throughout the supply chain. His expertise has made him a sought-after voice in the sector, leading to invitations as a guest panelist at major agricultural anniversaries, where he speaks on the intersection of technology, knowledge and sustainable transformation.
Currently, he is furthering his impact by pursuing certification as an agricultural consultant, ensuring he remains at the forefront of high-value project development and sustainable practices.
“I have been working here for five years, and I have known Jesús since then,” says Francisco Perez Felix, an H-2A worker for Stemilt. “He is always available to help you with work or anything else. He works very hard and motivates people at work. He is very responsible in his work and the tasks assigned to him.”
Beyond his technical and strategic contributions, Gutiérrez Manuel brings a unique safety-first perspective to the field through his background as a licensed nurse. He has combined this medical expertise with multiple certifications in industrial and food safety to champion the well-being of his fellow workers.
He is a dedicated advocate for the “integral development” of the workforce, constantly seeking to empower his colleagues and their families through education and prehospital health training. By serving as a bridge between operational productivity and human welfare, he embodies the modern agricultural professional: innovative, compassionate and deeply committed to the advancement of the entire farming community.
“Since 2019, Jesús has collaborated closely with Semillero de Ideas, where he has continued to grow as a leader and innovator,” says Eric Nicholson. “He is currently completing an EFI Agricultural Consultant Certification through Semillero de Ideas, expanding his capacity to support sustainable, high-value agricultural projects. His career reflects consistent growth, cross-border experience and a commitment to excellence in agriculture.”
