Heat Illness Revisions Effective May 1, 2015

April 7th, 2015

The Office of Administrative Law has approved amendments to the heat illness prevention regulations recommended by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.  The new regulations go into effect May 1.  All operations must be ready to provide the necessary training and processes to be in compliance by that date. 

Although there are numerous changes to the regulations, the most significant changes are:

  •  Water must be cool, available at no cost,  and be close to workers
  • Shade must be available when the temperature hits 80°F, accessible to all employees on break and close to work areas
  • A cool down rest period must be a minimum of 5 minutes, closely supervised and first aid must be provided if the worker does not improve
  • High heat situations require a buddy system and supervisor oversight, and include very specific procedures for emergencies
  • When the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F, there must be a 10 minute cool-down period every two hours. This cool down rest period may coincide with any other meal or rest period required by Wage Order No. 14, potentially resulting in no additional preventative cool down-rest period required in an eight hour work day.
  • All procedures must be written into the “Heat Illness Prevention Plan,” in English and Spanish and a copy must be made available at each worksite.

This is a very brief summary of some of the new regulations.  For more detailed information on the changes, refer to Jason Resnick’s Ag and the Law piece in the April edition of the WG&S magazine. To read the actual regulations at the Cal/OSHA website.

If you would like assistance re-designing your Heat Illness program to comply with the new regulations, Western Growers safety training staff can assist you.  Contact Greg Nelson of Western Growers Insurance Services for more details.

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Congress Introduces Trade Promotion Legislation; Western Growers Urges Swift Action

April 16th, 2015

Today, Senate Finance Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah), Ranking Member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) introduced bipartisan, bicameral Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. This agreement is a critical first step to concluding trade negotiations and further expanding export opportunities.

In response to the introduction of the legislation, Western Growers President and CEO, Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

"The fresh produce industry applauds the introduction of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation. While the produce sector experiences an overall trade deficit, $15 billion in U.S. exports of fresh produce commodities compared to nearly $19 billion in imports, the expansion of foreign markets is critical to opening and expanding markets for the healthy products we grow. TPA is critical for allowing our U.S. negotiators to get the best deal possible with our trading partners. 

Trade Promotion Authority establishes trade-negotiating objectives that reflect today’s economic challenges and create a robust framework for Congressional and stakeholder input, before sending trade agreements to Congress for an up or down vote.

Western Growers urges the Senate to quickly consider and pass this legislation and help create future market opportunities for the U.S. produce industry."

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Western Growers Advances Ag Technology: Allies with Forbes & SVG Partners

April 23rd, 2015

Western Growers and Silicon Valley Global Partners (SVG Partners) are entering into an exclusive strategic alliance agreement to find, accelerate, advance and invest in innovative solutions intended to solve critical challenges to production agriculture through technology, and produce more with less water, labor and inputs. The two companies will collaborate on Innovation Centers in Salinas and the Silicon Valley.  In addition, Western Growers will become a strategic partner of Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit to be held in Salinas on July 8-9, 2015.

The involvement in the Forbes event, and the new partnership, was not lost on that nationally-acclaimed magazine as it touted that fact on its website this week.  SVG Partners is a co-host of the Summit. Other mutual efforts will include participation and collaboration in the SVG Thrive Accelerator program and the SVG Technology Growth Fund.

“With population growth reaching nine billion in 2050 the only way to feed the world will be through technology,” said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers. “We are also in an era of diminishing natural resources especially in California where water is a serious concern because of an ongoing four-year drought. In order to create a sustainable food chain, technologies and innovation must be developed and promoted. The purpose of this partnership is to accomplish just that. We will be creating an Innovation Center in the Salinas Valley which will be utilized for all commodities in the many regions where our members operate.  This venue, in addition to other forms of communication and collaboration, will be provided for entrepreneurs and innovators so they may be mentored by Western Growers’ members who produce approximately half the fresh produce in the country.”

“We are delighted to partner with Western Growers to invest and accelerate technology in agriculture and we welcome their strategic involvement with Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit,” said John Hartnett, CEO of SVG Partners. “The intersection of technology and agriculture will pave the way to solve the exploding food production challenge, as well as deliver an incredible investment opportunity in the twenty-first century.”

“Forbes’ AgTech Summit promises to be the definitive gathering for leaders at the intersection of technology and agriculture,” said Mike Federle, Forbes Media Chief Operating Officer. “We welcome Western Growers’ strategic support of this event.”

The Thrive Accelerator is a selective mentorship and investment program intended to connect technology-enabled startups with leading agricultural companies.  Other sponsors of the program include Taylor Farms, JV Smith Companies, Chiquita, Dole, Mann’s and Rocket Farms.  Currently, ten start-ups have been selected for incubation.  Award winners and results from this initiative will be featured at Forbes Reinventing America:  The AgTech Summit.

Innovation centers are physical locations intended to provide office space and support for technology-enabled startups. One is located in the Silicon Valley, another will be opened by Western Growers in Salinas.

The SVG Technology Growth Fund is a venture capital fund organized to invest in agricultural technology companies with strong leadership, high utility to industry and strong return potential for investors. The fund is separately led by an independent investment group which includes Western Growers as a strategic investor.

“Farmers today know they need to increase the quantity and quality of crops using less water, labor and inputs,” said Nassif.  “This increased efficiency demands greater precision which could be facilitated by new and better technology.  Western Growers is taking the initiative to shape the future of the fresh produce industry by partnering with a respected and experienced Silicon Valley technology innovation firm,” said Nassif. “Our mutual aim is to advance technology innovation in the fresh produce industry thereby improving the ability of our members to produce more food in more efficient ways.” 

About SVG Partners is an investment and advisory firm that partners with public and private organizations on strategy, innovation and global expansion. Our investment focus is on early stage companies with disruptive technologies. Our team consists of accomplished technology leaders who want to apply their experience and passion to help portfolio companies succeed. We also leverage our vast global network allowing us to connect portfolio companies in meaningful ways to accelerate their success and exit opportunities.

About Forbes Reinventing America: The AgTech Summit.  For the past three years, Forbes magazine’s Reinventing America series has been covering the innovation and disruption taking place in diverse industries across America’s industrial heartland, from logistics and transportation to energy and manufacturing.  Following the success of the inaugural “Forbes Reinventing America Summit,” which took place in Chicago in March of 2014, Forbes is creating a series of Summits that are bringing the “Reinventing America” conversation to life around key verticals, such as AgTech, Energy, Innovation, Manufacturing and Workforce.

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Congress Gets Closer to Renewing TPA

April 23rd, 2015

Today, at presstime, the House Ways and Means Committee was still considering the Trade Priorities and Accountability (TPA) Act of 2015. Today’s action by Ways and Means comes on the heels of the Senate Finance Committee, which moved the TPA legislation out of that committee yesterday.

Both committees had extensive debate on the TPA provisions. The Senate Finance Committee passed the legislation by a vote of 20-6; the Ways and Means Committee is expected to pass the legislation but that may not happen until tomorrow.

The next step will be for the full House and Senate to consider TPA. Key supporters on both sides of the aisle intend for floor action to take place during May. The Senate is likely to act first. As we get closer to action in both chambers, Western Growers will be sending you email notifications asking you to send electronic messages of support to your Congressional representatives and Senators.  We strongly encourage all members to let your Representatives and Senators know you would like them to vote for passage of TPA legislation.

Trade Promotion Authority legislation gives expanded authority and input to Congress during trade negotiations.  It also gives U.S. negotiators the ability to achieve the greatest access to markets with our trading partners.  While TPA is not a trade agreement itself, the legislation is an important first step, as it provides procedural protections to trade agreements which help them move toward conclusion of negotiations in agreements such as the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP).    

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Get the Affordable Care Act Help You Need at FPAA Seminar

April 28th, 2015

The Affordable Care Act’s large employer mandate is now in effect, and the options for plan designs that comply with the new laws can be confusing. You need to know:

  • How the mandate affects your company.
  • What tracking and reporting you need to do to avoid tax penalties.
  • What you need to do to prepare for next year and beyond.

Find out all that and more from Western Growers Insurance Services’ Matt Bigham at the Fresh Produce Association of the America’s Affordable Care Act Seminar Thursday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m.

Location
Fresh Produce Association of the America’s offices
590 E. Frontage Rd.
Nogales, AZ 85621

While you’re there, enter to win a $150 Amazon gift card. Lunch will be served.

Register now by emailing [email protected].

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New Heat Illness Regs Effective May 1

April 28th, 2015

The Office of Administrative Law has approved amendments to the heat illness prevention regulations recommended by the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board.  The new regulations go into effect May 1.  All operations must be ready to provide the necessary training and processes to be in compliance by that date. 

Although there are numerous changes to the regulations, the most significant changes are:

  • Water must be cool, available at no cost, and be close to workers.
  • Shade must be available when the temperature hits 80°F, accessible to all employees on break and close to work areas.
  • A cool down rest period must be a minimum of five minutes, closely supervised and first aid must be provided if the worker does not improve.
  • High heat situations require a buddy system and supervisor oversight, and include very specific procedures for emergencies.
  • When the temperature equals or exceeds 95°F, there must be a 10 minute cool-down period every two hours. This cool down rest period may coincide with any other meal or rest period required by Wage Order No. 14, potentially resulting in no additional preventative cool down-rest period required in an eight hour work day.
  • All procedures must be written into the “Heat Illness Prevention Plan,” in English and Spanish and a copy must be made available at each worksite.

This is a very brief summary of some of the new regulations.  For more detailed information on the changes, refer to Jason Resnick’s Ag and the Law column in the April edition of the WG&S magazine. You can read the actual regulations at the Cal/OSHA website.

If you would like assistance re-designing your Heat Illness program to comply with the new regulations, Western Growers safety training staff can assist you.  Contact Greg Nelson of Western Growers Insurance Services for more details.

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Brown Announces Historic Water Restrictions for California

April 1st, 2015

 

Today, California Governor Jerry Brown announced historic, statewide mandatory water restrictions aimed primarily at urban water users in response to California’s ongoing drought.  Brown’s Executive Order mandates substantial water reductions for all Californians across the state.  In his announcement, the governor acknowledged that agriculture has “borne much of the brunt of the drought to date, with hundreds of thousands of fallowed acres, significantly reduced water allocations and thousands of farmworkers laid off.” 

Responding to the announcement, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif said, “Through these actions, Governor Brown acknowledges the seriousness of the drought all Californians face.  Although much of the population has been relatively unaffected by the natural and man-made causes perpetuating the drought, no one has been more affected than California farmers.  Western Growers is pleased that the governor, in his announcement, has acknowledged the plight of the state’s farmers and the sacrifices they have made in fallowing hundreds of thousands of acres and laying off thousands of farmworkers due to the lack of water.”   

The Executive Order aims to accomplish four things:

Save Water:  Directs the State Water Resources Control Board to implement mandatory water reductions in cities and towns across California to reduce water usage by 25 percent.

Increase Enforcement:  Calls on local water agencies to adjust their rate structures to implement conservation pricing and requires ag water users to report more water use information while also requiring water districts to develop water management plans and require the filing of permanent monthly reports of water usage.

Streamline Government Response: Prioritizes and streamlines permitting and review of water projects in the state.

Invest in New Technologies:   Incentivizes promising new technology that will make California more water efficient through a new program administered by the California Energy Commission.

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DPR Announces Workshop to Consider Expanding Fumigant Notification Requirements

April 2nd, 2015

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has noticed a workshop to develop regulatory concepts for a possible expansion of the field fumigation notification requirements. As part of this process, DPR is planning to evaluate the current methyl bromide notification regulations and label requirements to determine if any of those requirements should be made applicable to other fumigants.

WG staff is engaged on this issue and is concerned that growers may eventually be required to both notify and monitor for all field fumigations. We urge our members to attend this public workshop at Cal/EPA in Sacramento on Thursday, April 9th at 9:00 a.m. to voice your concerns about expanding notification requirements.

Workshop Agenda

Please contact WGA’s Matthew Allen at 916-446-1435 if you have any questions.

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Cedar Health and Wellness Center Open House — April 22-24

April 2nd, 2015

You’re invited!  Make plans now to check out a Cedar Health and Wellness Center near you to see how Cedar can help your employees and dependents.

Cedar Health and Wellness Centers are general and family practices. All WGAT participants ages two and older can go to a Cedar Health and Wellness Center for symptoms of cold and flu, routine physicals, pap smears, immunizations and more.

Participants appreciate Cedar’s cost savings like $5 copayments, plus the personal, bilingual care available to them.

Don’t take our word for it, though. Come see the Cedar difference for yourself! Join us for some light refreshments and find out how using Cedar Health and Wellness Centers can save your company and your employees money while keeping them healthy.

Salinas: Wednesday, April 22, 9 a.m. – Noon
955 Blanco Circle, Suite E
Salinas, CA 93901

Watsonville: Thursday, April 23, 9 a.m. – Noon
150 Carnation Drive, Suite 5
Freedom, CA 95019

Santa Maria: Friday, April 24, 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
1414 South Miller Street
Santa Maria, CA 93454

Please note, the wellness centers will not be taking patients during open house hours.

If you have questions about Cedar Health and Wellness Centers, contact your WGIS representative.

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Gov. Brown Comments About Ag and Drought

April 2nd, 2015

As reported in yesterday’s special edition of Spotlight, California Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order requiring new reductions in water use, especially in urban areas.  In his statement, Brown said that farmers had “borne the brunt of the drought to date.”   The Governor expanded on these thoughts yesterday in a segment that aired on PBS, stating that farmers have “taken a lot of hits,” referencing fallowed fields, dying orchards and the lack of “promised” federal and state water.  Brown went on to say that “agriculture is fundamental to California.”

Western Growers CEO and President Tom Nassif issued a statement yesterday saying, “Through these actions, Governor Brown acknowledges the seriousness of the drought all Californians face.  Although much of the population has been relatively unaffected by the natural and man-made causes perpetuating the drought, no one has been more affected than California farmers.  Western Growers is pleased that the governor, in his announcement, has acknowledged the plight of the state’s farmers and the sacrifices they have made in fallowing hundreds of thousands of acres and laying off thousands of farmworkers due to the lack of water.”  

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Work with Farm Labor Contractors? Beware of Non-Compliant Health Plans

April 7th, 2015

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) large employer mandate requires employers to offer affordable, qualifying coverage starting this year. As a business person, you have myriad plan options available, and the choices can be confusing. Western Growers is here to help. 

Farm Labor Contractors: Avoid Pitfalls

You may use farm labor contractors (FLCs) that are large employers. These FLCs must comply with the large employer mandate. It is up to you to know whether the coverage your FLC has purchased and invoiced you for is compliant.  If the plan the FLC offers is not compliant, problems may arise. 

For example, if the plan the FLC offers does not meet the law’s requirements (e.g., is not minimum value) and the IRS assesses tax penalties, the penalty will be levied against the “employer.” On the surface, that may sound safe for you. After all, the FLC is the employer, right? Not necessarily.

The IRS conducts a common law multifactor test to identify the “employer.”  The “employer” is typically the entity that holds the power of control (the right to hire, direct work and/or terminate employees). If there is a clear split between you and your FLC, your company’s risk is minimized. But if the lines are unclear, you could be saddled with what you thought to be the FLC’s large employer mandate responsibility. In other words, the IRS could look to you as the “employer” and responsible party for large employer tax penalties. 

What is the Large Employer Mandate Obligation?

To avoid potential tax penalties, at least once a year large employers must offer substantially all full-time employees and dependents the chance to enroll in health benefits coverage that meets minimum value and is affordable. 

Your company might be hit with a tax penalty if a full-time employee goes to health insurance exchange and qualifies for subsidized health benefits coverage based on his or her income if your company:

  • fails to offer any coverage; or
  •  offers coverage that does not meet minimum value and/or is unaffordable.

How to Tell Whether a Plan Meets Minimum Value and Affordability

To meet minimum value, a large employer offering a plan after November 3, 2014, must provide a health benefit plan that provides at least a plan design equal to 60% actuarial value with substantial coverage of inpatient hospitalization and physician services. This means your company’s plan has to cover hospital stays and doctor visits.

An affordable plan is one that puts an appropriate ceiling on the employee’s share of the cost. This means your company can ask employees to pay up to 9.5% of

  • W-2 wages,
  • rate of pay or
  • the federal poverty level

for employee-only (self-only) coverage.

If your company offers a plan, it must offer the plan to dependents. But it can require employees to pay 100% of the dependents’ cost. 

Resources, Tools and Consultation

If you are unsure whether your plan or your FLC’s plan meets the law’s requirement, we are here to help. Contact us immediately at 800-333-4942 or email [email protected].

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WG Lawsuit Challenges Piece Rate Rest Period Compensation Policy

April 7th, 2015

Western Growers, along with a coalition of agricultural trade associations, has filed a lawsuit against Labor Commissioner Julie Su and the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement challenging the labor commissioner’s policy that employers who pay employees on a piece-rate basis must pay those employees their average hourly piece-earning rate for rest periods. 

The labor commissioner’s position conflicts with long-standing guidance from the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, the Industrial Wage Commission and a recent California appellate court decision.  (Bluford v. Safeway Stores, Inc. –2013).

Given the uncertainty this contradiction creates for employers, and especially the exposure to class-action lawsuits, we are compelled to bring legal action. The lawsuit consists of a petition for writ of mandate and complaint for declaratory and injunctive relief in Superior Court in Sacramento County.  The coalition also includes Ventura County Agricultural Association, Grower-Shipper Association of Central California and Nisei Farmers League. 

The labor commissioner’s declaration took the form of an internal memorandum to her enforcement staff and a document quietly posted on the Division of Industrial Relations website providing an “example” of proper rest period compensation for piece-rate employees.  The labor commissioner failed to follow state law requiring an open and public rule-making process, resulting in an “underground regulation.”

As a result, thousands of California employers have been exposed to potential class-action lawsuits, with retroactive liability, due to the confusion about the labor commissioner’s policy, its enforceability and the conflicting ruling by the appellate court.  The Bluford court held that rest periods for piece-rate employees must be compensated separately from productive time worked, but that the rate of rest period compensation must be “either the minimum wage or the contractual hourly rate.”

At least one employer has been subjected to an enforcement action by the labor commissioner under this policy.  Several other employers have been persuaded by the labor commissioner to agree to this policy as a condition of settling class-action lawsuits stemming from the Bluford decision.  

For more than a year, WG and other organizations have relayed our concerns to state officials. Repeated requests that the labor commissioner withdraw her declared policy and clarify that the Bluford decision should guide employers of piece-rate employees have been rejected.

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CA Registers New Chemistry for Sucking Pests

April 7th, 2015

Western Growers received word yesterday from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation that Bayer CropScience’s new insecticide Sivanto ™ has been registered for use in California.  WG worked to support the federal and California registration of this new chemistry which is a novel systemic to help control major sucking pests such as aphids, whiteflies, hoppers and psyllids. Sivanto™ is labeled for use on pome fruits, citrus and melons as well as cucurbit, leafy and brassica vegetables.

Sivanto™ (active ingredient: flupyradifurone) is part of a new chemical class of butenolides and is registered as a reduced risk compound.  Western Growers urged its registration as an additional tool for growers in their integrated pest management (IPM) programs because it can be used with biologicals and has little to no impact on beneficial insects.  WG is hopeful that this product will assist growers as they work to deal with regulatory pressure and other pressures on neonicitinoids and other key chemistries.

Western Growers continues to work to provide additional tools for growers while preserving current compounds and uses so that growers have choices in the field to deal with the complexities of pest management.

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U.S. Challenges Indonesia’s Import Licensing Regime for Agricultural Products in the WTO

April 7th, 2015

On March 18, 2015, the United States and New Zealand brought a case against Indonesia’s import licensing regime for agricultural products challenging the measures as quantitative restrictions prohibited under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, and the Agreement on Agriculture.  The U.S. first requested World Trade Organization consultations over the regime in January 2013, followed by two more sets of consultation in August 2013 and May 2014.

The U.S. charges that Indonesia’s import licensing is limiting the ability to export U.S. horticultural and animal products.  U.S. fresh produce exports were valued at nearly $125 million in 2012, but with the implementation of Indonesia’s restrictive import regime the export value has fallen to just under $110 million for calendar year 2014.

The United States Trade Representative states that it wants to send a firm message that it will not stand by when countries use import licensing to restrict U.S. exports.

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CA Farm Water Coalition Illustrates Severity of Drought on Farmers; Brown Holds Drought Meeting

April 9th, 2015

Today the California Farm Water Coalition issued the results of a survey indicating that in 2015 over 40% of the state’s irrigated farmland will lose 80% or more of its normal surface supply.  Coalition Executive Director Mike Wade issued a statement on the report which highlights some of the quantifiable effects the ongoing drought is having on farmers in the Central Valley.

According to Wade, "The survey of agricultural water suppliers conducted the first week of April shows that 3.1 million acres, or 41.6 percent of California's irrigated farmland, is expecting deep cuts to the water delivered in a normal year. That is an area 10 times the size of Los Angeles.”

Wade went on to say, “The survey also revealed that almost 30 percent of the irrigated farmland in the state, 2.2 million acres, will get no surface water deliveries this year.”

In other water news, Governor Jerry Brown held a mostly private meeting at the Capitol with agriculture, environmental and urban water agency leaders to discuss the drought.  Media coverage was restricted to the final few minutes of the meeting.

Agriculture industry organizations were represented by Dave Puglia of Western Growers, Paul Wenger of the California Farm Bureau Federation, and Emily Rooney of the Agricultural Council of California. 

During his initial announcement last week, Brown was quoted as saying, “As Californians, we have to save water in every way we possibly can and we have to pull together.  We have to become more resilient, more efficient and more innovative and that’s exactly what we are going to do.”

“The meeting was very constructive,” said Puglia.  “The governor was highly engaged and informed, and he encouraged us to speak candidly, which agriculture industry representatives certainly did.  At the same time, I think we all appreciated the governor’s admonition that while we individually represent diverse interests, we should try to approach the issues at the heart of the crisis as Californians first.”

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Piece-Rate Workshop — Payment for Rest Periods and Non Productive Time

April 9th, 2015

Complying with California’s rules for paying piece-rate workers can be tricky. When you consider the potential exposure for failing to pay correctly, you can’t afford to get it wrong.

Join Western Growers’ Vice President and General Counsel Jason Resnick for an overview of piece-rate compensation legal requirement and legal trends.  In addition, you will learn about:

  • Tips to avoid exposure to class-action lawsuits
  • How to maintain incentive-based compensation systems without tracking non-productive time
  • Rate of payment for rest breaks
  • How to reduce potential joint employer liability with farm labor contractors
  • And more!

This workshop is complimentary for Western Growers and Grower Shipper Association members.

Date:                     Wednesday, April 15th

Time:                     2:30 p.m.

Place:                    Grower Shipper Association of Central California

                             512 Pajaro Street | Salinas 93901

RSVP:               Joann – [email protected]

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Lunch and Learn Webinar –Tail Water Re-use Status Update

April 9th, 2015

In an era where water is in such scarce supply, agriculture must examine methods to reuse or repurpose this resource. The re-use of tail water from irrigation systems has been discouraged in some areas despite the fact that it could be reclaimed and used as irrigation water. In order to bring members up to speed on the status of tail water re-use, Western Growers is holding a FREE webinar on April 22, 2015.  The webinar will update members on the current status of tail water re-use, research or knowledge gaps on the subject and barriers and opportunities for expanded beneficial use of tail-water.  

Please join us to learn more about this important topic!

Webinar Details

Tail Water Reuse Webinar

April 22, 2015

11:30 a.m.

REGISTER NOW

Speakers:

Dr. Linda Harris, UC Davis, Microbial Food Safety Specialist

Dr. Michael Cahn, UC Davis, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor

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Killian Appointed Director of Arizona Ag Dept.

April 14th, 2015

Late last week, Governor Ducey announced the appointment of former Speaker of the House Mark Killian to lead the Arizona Department of Agriculture.  Director Killian officially took over the department on Monday. The new leadership at the ADA is a positive step.  Western Growers recommended Mr. Killian's appointment, along with several other ag groups.

Western Growers Chairman Vic Smith noted, "I had the opportunity to meet Mark Killian while serving on the governor's selection committee and he was a unanimous choice for this position. I believe Arizona agriculture will be very well served by his appointment. His experience and knowledge will bring great leadership to the challenges that lie ahead."

Director Killian takes over the department just in time to oversee the transition of Weights and Measures into the agency, as directed when the legislature passed and Governor Ducey signed HB 2480 on April 9th.

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Western Growers Welcomes New Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association Strategic Partners

April 14th, 2015

Western Growers would like to recognize and extend a special welcome to our Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association strategic partners.

Please join us in welcoming the following new companies:

Anchor Farms

Arkansas Valley Organic Growers

Aspen Moon Farm LLC

Berry Patch Farms

Colon Orchards

Cooksey Produce

Cure Organic Farm

Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield

Diamond O LLC

DiSanti Farms

Eagle Tree Enterprises LLC

Ela Family Farms

Far Out Gardens

Farm Manager

Farmer Johns

Fossil Creek Farms LLC

Full Circle Farms

Garden Sweet LLC

Goldthwaite Farms

Hines Farms

Isabelle Farm LLC

Jones Farms Organics

L & M Companies

Lena Family Farms

Lusk Farms LLC

Milberger Farms

Milberger Farms LLC

Native Hill Farm

North Field Farm

On The Vine Farm

Osage Gardens, Inc.

Osito Orchard LLC

Oxford Gardens

Prima Plant Services

Ray Domenico Farms, Inc.

Rettig Farms

Rossi Dairy/Produce, LLC

Talbott's Mountain Gold

Warsh Farms

Zephyros Farm & Garden

 

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April 22 Webinar — Tail Water Re-use Status Update

April 16th, 2015

In an era where water is in such scarce supply, agriculture must examine methods to reuse or repurpose this resource. The re-use of tail water from irrigation systems has been discouraged in some areas despite the fact that it could be reclaimed and used as irrigation water. In order to bring members up to speed on the status of tail water re-use, Western Growers is holding a FREE webinar on April 22, 2015.  The webinar will update members on the current status of tail water re-use, research or knowledge gaps on the subject and barriers and opportunities for expanded beneficial use of tail-water.  

Please join us to learn more about this important topic!

Webinar Details

Tail Water Reuse Webinar

April 22, 2015

11:30 a.m.

REGISTER NOW

Speakers:

Dr. Linda Harris, UC Davis, Microbial Food Safety Specialist

Dr. Michael Cahn, UC Davis, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor

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