High-tech opportunities in agriculture brings a new crop of professionals
“My roots are in agriculture,” Ayala says. “Before college, I spent my summers working in orchards picking apples, cherries and pears to save money for school. I completed eight internships in different industries, including roles with the Amazon, Department of Energy and the University of Washington collaborating with NASA. In my senior year, I returned to agriculture because it matched my background and I was excited to apply technology to farming.”
Ayala says he spends 70 to 75% of his time in front of the computer and the rest in the orchards or meeting with farmers.
Salvador at the WSU’s Roza research farm (photo courtesy of Salvador Ayala).
