As competition was fierce and all of the many nominees deserving of recognition, The Packer and Equitable Food Initiative were challenged to identify just five finalists in their inaugural Grow the Good Farmworker of the Year award program. Nominations were sought from July 2023 to March 1, 2024.
An extension of their People First initiative, the collaboration will name the Farmworker of the Year at The Packer’s West Coast Produce Expo in Palm Desert, Calif., June 1.
Known among his peers for his perseverance, dedication and work ethic, José Luis Segura is a supervisor at hydroponic greenhouse grower Horticola Cimarron, S.A. — Mastronardi Produce in Guanajuato, Mexico.
As one of the first workers in his community to join Mastronardi, Segura has been an example of improvement for the past 17 years, said the company. He’s also led by example, creating a path for more members of his community to join the company.
A natural born leader, Segura shares his knowledge to successfully guide his team in crop management, raising awareness for the importance of their work and their role in food production worldwide, the company said.
Since 2007, Segura has demonstrated a desire to excel, joining the greenhouse grower as part of the construction team building its first greenhouses in Guanajuato. He then became a crop operator for more than a decade. As he stood out for the quality of his work, he was appointed second supervisor and continued to grow and improve, earning him a promotion to supervisor in 2018.
His peers say, along with his knowledge of the crops, he’s an individual with strong perseverance, dedication and effort, which is worthy of recognition.
Related: Meet Farmworker of the Year finalist Eduardo Avina
Related: Meet Farmworker of the Year finalist Crisanta Morales
Related: Meet Farmworker of the Year finalist Andres Aguilar
