Agri-Pulse recently announced the winner of the 2025 Great Tomato Challenge was California Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas. Taking second place was Sen. Rosilicie Ochoa Bogh and third place went to Sen. Monique Limón.

First and second place winners receive $1000 and $500 donations to the food banks of their choice. Speaker Rivas selected Second Harvest in Santa Cruz County and Sen. Ochoa Bogh selected Table of Plenty.

The competition was open to all members of the California Senate and Assemblymembers and their staff members. The winning tomato plants all had unique growing experiences, depending on each contestant. For example, the winning tomato was fertilized with composted chicken manure and produced over 30 tomatoes during the competition. Bayer Seminis® brand Early Girl variety tomato plants, donated by Bonnie Plants, were distributed to legislators on April 7 and photos of the plants were collected June 3.