Jesus Salcedo
The Morning Star Company
About:
The Morning Star Company is a leading producer and processor of tomato products. Based in California, it specializes in producing tomato paste and diced tomatoes, serving both domestic and international markets. Known for its innovative and self-management business model, Morning Star operates with a high degree of employee autonomy and accountability.
My Time at The Morning Star Company:
As a software engineer for The Morning Star Company's Research and Development department, I was responsible for developing and maintaining software products that support the company's agricultural operations. I successfully integrated major software enhancements, including a comprehensive database storage system, a landing page website, automated data input/page initialization, support for multiple crops, and enhanced alerts for field technicians. These improvements directly contributed to doubling the serviced acreage from 11,600 to 26,000, without increasing the software team. I also led a collaborative project with UC Merced and Morning Star's R&D department, guiding four senior computer science students in developing a web application for creating and viewing NDVI crop health images from satellite imagery, delivering a proof of concept valued at approximately $30,000.
Responsibilies:
Software Product Update
Successfully integrated major software enhancements including a comprehensive database storage system, landing page website, automated data input/page initialization, support for multiple crops, and enhanced alerts for field technicians. These improvements directly contributed to doubling the serviced acreage from 11,600 to 26,000, without increasing the software team.
UC Merced Capstone Collaboration
Led a collaborative project with UC Merced and Morning Star's R&D department, guiding four senior computer science students in developing a web application for creating and viewing NDVI crop health images from satellite imagery, delivering a proof of concept valued at approximately $30,000.
Website: The Morning Star Company
Gradient Crop Yield Solutions
About:
Gradient consists of a group of passionate individuals that believe in using technology to improve agricultural practices. They take the complications of technology and simplify it so that farmers can better understand what is going on in their field. They believe through the use of their cutting edge technology and amazing customer service, they can help improve farming practices.
My Time at Gradient Crop Yield Solutions (A Morning Star Subsidiary):
As co-founder of Gradient Crop Yield Solutions, I was involved in growing a research and development project into a full-fledged startup for The Morning Star Company. I presented to the owner of the company, new feature updates and user interface improvements planned for the continual expansion of Gradient Crop Yield Solutions. I led the development of the Full Stack Gradient Website, a complex project requiring mastery of multiple programming languages and technologies. I also developed and launched Gradient's landing page, overseeing both its design and the creation of all website content. My work at Gradient contributed to brand enhancement and industry engagement through participation in Yara's Crop Nutrition Podcast as an aerial imagery expert, discussing the impact of imagery on farming efficiency and profitability.
Responsibilies:
Co-Founder
Participated in executive meetings to discuss operations, economic, and expansion strategies; communicated annual goals for feature rollouts, UI and back-end enhancements to stakeholders and the company owner, and conducted year-end reviews.
Lead Software Engineer
Directed the development of the Full Stack Gradient Website, a complex project requiring mastery of multiple programming languages and technologies (React, HTML, CSS, Tailwind CSS, JavaScript, Docker, Kubernetes, Google Cloud Run, Next.js, Leaflet, Chart JS, Big Query). Therefore, achieving a substantial cost saving for Gradient CYS, estimated between $120,000 and $150,000.
Marketing Strategist
Developed and launched Gradient's landing page, overseeing both its design and the creation of all website content. Created marketing material such as brochures and pamphlets discussing services, pricing of product, and future plans. Contributed to brand enhancement and industry engagement through participation in Yara's Crop Nutrition Podcast as an aerial imagery expert, discussing the impact of imagery on farming efficiency and profitability. Co-authored a case study on the implementation of remote sensing by Morning Star's Gradient CYS, showcasing innovative uses of technology in agriculture.
The Product:
Gradient started off as a Research and Development project under the Morning Star Company to help tomato growers better their irrigation management practices. After many years of trials and adjustments to their initial precision irrigation system, they finally reached a model that helps growers improve irrigation management practices in their fields.
Their finalized model consists of 4 main systems interacting with each other:
- Weather based system
- Soil based system
- Crop based system
- Satellite Images based system
Through the use of their systems they have been able to help growers make better irrigation management decisions. As a result growers have seen an average of 10% to 20% water savings, potentially increased yields, and better fruit/ nut quality.
Their finalized model consists of 4 main systems interacting with each other:
- Weather based system
- Soil based system
- Crop based system
- Satellite Images based system
Through the use of their systems they have been able to help growers make better irrigation management decisions. As a result growers have seen an average of 10% to 20% water savings, potentially increased yields, and better fruit/ nut quality.
Features:
- Air Temperature
- Relative Humidity
- Barometric Pressure
- Vapor Pressure
- Volumetric Water Content
- Canopy Temperature
- Irrigation Hours
Website: Gradient Crop Yield Solutions