Ranging from a biosystems engineer to a children’s nutrition expert to a specialty crop container grower, meet seven people pushing the produce industry forward.

The produce industry relies on exceptional people to advance the processes of growing food, improving it and getting it to consumers’ plates. In this month’s cover story, meet seven of the leading People in Produce.

Ricardo Hernandez
Chief scientific officer and co-founder, Grafted Growers

The North Carolina State University professor will use his research expertise to grow grafted tomato and watermelon seedlings for wholesale, and possibly retail.

Dr. Ricardo Hernandez performs research and teaches as assistant professor of horticultural science at North Carolina State University, and previously studied and conducted research at the University of Arizona. His research background points to plant grafting as a crucial tool contributing to agricultural production. Beginning this fall, Hernandez will be working within a high-tech toolbox to explore the commercial creation of specially grafted produce…