Faces of Semios is our series putting the spotlight on the incredible people behind Semios — the folks out in the field every day, building relationships and helping growers thrive. We sit down with a Semios team member to learn a little more about what drives them, both professionally and personally.
Meet Ashlee DeSilva
From an early childhood on a family dairy farm, our Territory Manager for Fresno County, Ashlee DeSilva was born and raised in ag. Eventually, this transitioned into a career working in an entomology lab and later managing over 20,000 acres of permanent crop as an in-house Pest Control Adviser (PCA).
After joining the Semios team back in 2024, Ashlee now brings that unique combination of ag research knowledge and practical know-how to help growers find what tech works best for their farm. And if you ever need advice for growing an incredible garden, she’s got you covered there too!
Keep reading to learn more about Ashlee’s fascinating journey through the California ag industry.
Tell us a little about your background. How did your upbringing shape how you see the ag industry today?
Agriculture and farming is what I grew up being around and doing all the way from early childhood, through FFA in my high school years, through college, and afterwards in my various professional career positions. Being able to do so in this part of California is unique because of the diversity of agriculture. Throughout it all, I was able to experience this diversity - from growing up in a dairy family, to working in an entomology laboratory, to being an in-house PCA in various permanent crops, to my current position with Semios.
Ashlee with her grandpa on the family dairy farm
What drew you to work in ag, and what kept you here?
Part of it is being born and raised in the right place to do so. Students growing up here and picking agriculture as their career industry have a tremendous variety of opportunities. I’m fascinated by food production and insect diversity here.
You’ve managed over 20,000 acres of permanent crops as an in-house PCA. How does that experience help you support growers now?
I am aware of all the inputs, challenges, variables that go into producing a crop. As I interact with growers today regarding their needs for mating disruption and water management tools, which are two very narrowly focused but important inputs, I am able to keep in mind all their other farming needs and concerns, and make it a point to reference my specialized input sector to the rest of their crop production inputs.
How is Semios making a difference when it comes to common challenges growers face?
I spent a lot of time working in permanent crops, and with that comes the need to prioritize the tree health as well as that year’s crop yield. That’s where our tools can help. On the pest side, our mating disruption products help growers with managing pest pressure. Mating disruption is a huge and important building block of an insect IPM program. On the water side, we provide growers with the tools and data they need to improve water use efficiency, which helps them protect their trees and their bottom line.
What's one thing you wish more growers knew about Semios?
Our team has an array of field and tech experience that makes us better able to support your needs out in the field.
What’s something growers are often juggling that people outside ag don’t always realize?
Farming is so much more complex and multi-disciplinary than the popularized stereotype the general public thinks it is. Think of it like operating a factory, but out in nature instead of inside a building. Inputs, outputs, financials, workforce, and then there’s environment, nature, and pests. Fun! I find that one of the most rewarding parts about working with growers is understanding their unique farming practices.
If you could give a grower one piece of advice about agtech, what would it be?
Find what works for you and get good at it.
Let’s turn the tables: what's one thing you've learned from growers that’s stuck with you?
Yield predictions are only accurate after harvest.
Outside of work, you’ve put a lot of time into FFA over the years. How did you first get into it, and how are you staying involved these days?
I was very active in FFA in high school. I participated in Parliamentary Procedure, Best informed Greenhand, judged Ornamental Horticulture (OH), and showed animals at the fair. As a Fresno State student, I put on the FFA OH contest. As a result of this combined with industry experience, I became a judge at FFA contests including agronomy, cotton, and citrus.
Ashlee judging a class of black eyed beans for Cal Poly FFA 2026 State Finals
What’s a bit of advice you would give to the next generation coming into ag?
Make an effort to develop relationships with a wide scope of people in your industry. Most opportunities come from who you know rather than your credentials or raw experience. Our industry has a lot of diverse niches that one will find themselves becoming a specialist in. You will become a specialist in that niche as you advance through your career, however always seek out collaboration with and keep yourself informed of other specialties. This just makes a person much more well-rounded if their generalist experience is kept up.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Wake up, feed my pets, drink coffee, workout, start my day, tend to my garden after work. A perfect weekend would be enjoying an early morning latte in my garden.
What is the best advice you have received?
If you want to become something, or accomplish something, just start! Stop the endless research, the deliberation, the planning. Just start doing it.
Rapid fire
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What’s your superpower: Feeding people
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Favorite way to unwind: Gardening
- Your favorite hike: Glen Aulin trail along the Tuolomne River in Yosemite.
- Favorite season in the field: Fall
- Favorite plant/crop you’ve grown: Dahilas/Pistachios
- Most miles you’ve driven in a week during peak season: 1,000 miles
- Food/drink that you can’t say no to: Donuts and coffee
- Dog or cat person: Both (mostly dog)
- Favorite sport growing up: Softball
- Favorite sport team/music: 80’s-90’s Country
- Early bird or night owl: Early bird
- Your favorite quote: “Hard work is never the enemy” -Mike Rowe
- A fun fact about you: I love antiques
- If you weren't in ag, what would you be doing: Real estate
Connect with Ashlee
Interested in learning how Semios can support your operations? Ashlee is here to help. Get in touch today >
