Camila Rodrigues, a horticulture specialist with Alabama Extension at Auburn University, was recently named to the 2025 Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 list. This distinction recognizes the next generation of leaders in the fruit and vegetable industry.
“I’m truly honored by this recognition and especially grateful for the growers and industry partners who trust and work with us every day,” Rodrigues said. “Their dedication to producing safe, high-quality fruits and vegetables inspires my daily work. I look forward to continuing to support them with practical, science-based solutions that reduce risks, strengthen their operations and help their businesses thrive.”
Vegetable Growers News and Fruit Growers News administer the Fruit + Vegetable 40 Under 40 program. An article announcing the 2025 honorees noted Rodrigues’ work in food safety with a special emphasis on efforts to identify sources of potential contamination of fresh produce during production and processing. The article also applauded her work to help implement mitigation strategies that minimize contamination risks across conventional, organic and soilless growing systems.
Rodrigues was one of two Alabamians selected for the nationwide honor. The Alabama Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association recognized both recipients during the group’s annual conference in February at the Lodge at Gulf State Park. Additionally, the entire 2025 class was honored during a reception at the Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market EXPO in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in December 2025.
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