Mike Jarrard of Mann Packing Company will take the reins as the 2012 Western Growers chairman of the board.

Jarrard succeeds 2011 board chair Tom Deardorff. 

Jarrard grew up in Bakersfield, Calif., on his family’s wheat and alfalfa farm. He graduated from the University of California, Davis with degrees in agriculture and economics.

Bruce Taylor of Taylor Farms and Vic Smith of Fresh Innovations LLC will join the 2012 Western Growers executive committee. Taylor will serve as vice chairman. Smith will serve as treasurer.

Steve Barnard of Mission Produce Inc. will serve as senior vice chairman. Ryan Talley of Talley Farms will serve as executive secretary.

A.G. Kawamura of Orange County Produce will join the 2012 board. 

The board changes were made Nov. 7 during Western Growers 86th annual meeting in San Diego, Calif.