Vonnie Estes to retire from IFPA in 2026

The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has announced that Vonnie Estes, vice president of agfood technology innovation, will retire at the end of 2026.

During her tenure, Estes focused on connecting growers, researchers, and policymakers to accelerate the commercial use of new tools. Her work spanned several sectors, including plant breeding, gene editing, artificial intelligence, data systems, automation, robotics, and sustainable packaging. She also led the IFPA’s Fresh Field Catalyst Accelerator and the Packaging Innovation Program.

Prior to joining the IFPA, Estes spent over 30 years in the agricultural innovation sector, working with companies such as Monsanto, Syngenta, and DuPont. She also founded the ‘Fresh Takes on Tech’ podcast, which facilitates dialogue between industry executives and technology developers.