Taylor Farms' David Offerdahl Receives FreshTech Achievement Award

The United Fresh Produce Association presented its 2016 FreshTech Achievement Award to Taylor Farms Director of Ag Engineering David Offerdahl for his outstanding technical achievements to advance the fresh produce industry. Offerdahl was nominated by Taylor Farms and several of its grower partners, and was selected from among a number of outstanding nominations this year.

Offerdahl has worked in agriculture for over 20 years, improving technology to automate the harvest and post-harvest process critical to fresh vegetables. His contributions to agricultural engineering have made a significant impact on the produce industry from the standpoints of both efficiency and labor conditions. He has made it his life’s work to change how harvesting is done, and as a result has designed hundreds of harvesters that are now in use around the world. His mechanical harvester designs reduce crews from 30 to as few as eight, a critical goal with decreasing labor availability. But, his designs also enhance working conditions by placing workers into an ergonomic upright position in a shaded work environment.

Offerdahl’s nomination listed many of his equipment designs including: the first food safe stainless steel harvesting aid; the first all stainless steel spinach/spring mix mechanical harvester; designed and patented a technique to use high pressure water in the field to harvest; co-designed the first foreign object sorter on a spinach harvester;  co-designed the first mechanical green leaf/romaine harvester; co-designed a high pressure water cutting mechanical harvester for Taylor Farms;  co-developed Taylor Farms’ first mechanical celery harvester;  Co-developed Taylor Farms’ first mechanical cabbage harvester.

“David’s contributions to the technology of harvesting have advanced the industry significantly,” said United Fresh President and CEO Tom Stenzel. “His solutions take into account all factors of the harvesting process giving thought to the technology cost benefits, efficiencies, product quality and human experience in the field. We’re proud to honor David with this FreshTech Achievement Award.” Offerdahl was recognized with the 2016 FreshTech Achievement Award at the United Fresh 2016 Convention and Expo in Chicago.