Forbes AgTech Summit Explores Innovative Solutions

May 3rd, 2016

The Second Annual Forbes AgTech Summit will bring together over 500 of the brightest minds, from global agriculture and Silicon Valley, to help tackle the world’s most critical challenges in agriculture. The event will showcase the latest innovations for growers, investors and stakeholders, as well as foster lively debate and generate rich networking opportunities.

As a benefit of Western Growers’ strategic partnership with Forbes, all members will receive $250 off the regular admission price. All regular members should have received an e-mail invitation and discount code from Western Growers. If you did not receive this invitation, or are a non-member and would like to attend the event, please contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

Among the speakers will be Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif and Taylor Farms Founder & CEO Bruce Taylor (a WG member).

AGENDA

Wednesday, July 13th

  • Innovation Showcase
  • Field Demos
  • Plant Tours
  • Opening Reception

Thursday, July 14th

  • Plenary Sessions
  • Innovation Showcase
  • Closing Reception

For additional information about this event, please visit the Forbes AgTech Summit website.

WG to Offer Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops on THURSDAY

May 3rd, 2016

It has been mandated in California, since January 1, 2015, that California businesses must train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct.” Western Growers will be offering sexual harassment prevention workshops this Thursday in Tulare.

The regulations by the Fair Employment and Housing Council include instructions for employers to:

  • Define “abusive conduct” as malicious behaviors that can include the repeated use of derogatory remarks, insults, and verbal or physical conduct that a “reasonable person” would consider “threatening, intimidating or humiliating,” as well as the deliberate sabotaging or undermining of a worker’s performance on the job.
  • Explain that a single episode or incident of this behavior shouldn’t be considered abusive conduct, unless it is “especially severe or egregious.”
  • Explain the negative effects of bullying on victims and co-workers, and on productivity and morale.
  • Cover the subject “in a meaningful manner,” though there’s no further direction on how to do that.
  • Western Growers (WG) has been ahead of the curve, providing extensive training within the Harassment, Discrimination & Abusive Conduct Prevention since November of 2014 to ensure our members are always getting the most current information which keeps them in compliance.

WG trainers speak specifically to the needs of the agriculture business and community, citing examples that are relevant to the ag workplace. WG offers courses in public session formats that allow you to send just a few staff members as needed and we can also provide a private training session at your choice of location.

If you are utilizing another resource for training, WG cautions you to make sure the training you purchase covers all these new regulations and requirements. Sexual harassment prevention training is required, by law, to be taken every two years by any employee who performs supervisory functions. A supervisor is anyone who, exercising independent judgement, directs other employees, or has the authority to hire, transfer, suspend, layoff, recall, promote, discharge, assign, reward, adjust grievances, or discipline other employees.

WG’s next public Harassment, Discrimination & Abusive Conduct Prevention course is being offered in Tulare, Calif. on May 5th and will be offered in both English and Spanish. Both sessions are available to all WG members and their employees.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Spanish Session
Thursday, May 5, 2016 – 9:00am to 11:00am
International Agri-Center VIP Boardroom 4500 S. Laspina, Tulare, CA 93274
REGISTER TODAY

English Session
Thursday, May 5, 2016 – 12:30pm to 2:30pm
International Agri-Center VIP Boardroom 4500 S. Laspina, Tulare, CA 93274
REGISTER TODAY

For more information, contact Adriana Robles at (949) 885-2297.

CPS Research Symposium Highlights Latest Food-Research Findings

May 5th, 2016

Western Growers’ members are invited to learn about the latest produce food safety research findings during the 7th Annual Center for Produce Safety Symposium on June 28-29 in Seattle.

Produce industry leaders, government officials and food safety research scientists will gather to learn about topics such as irrigation water advancements; utilizing surrogates, indicators and detection methods; implementing science-based preventive controls that minimize contamination risks; and more.

Additionally, principal investigators will describe their research programs and share preliminary data and initial conclusions. The symposium will close with a “hot topics” session that examines research related to current industry priorities on animal intrusion and on-farm pathogen detection. Click here for full program details.

Western Growers is a proud platinum sponsor of the symposium. To register for the symposium, visit the 2016 CPS Research Symposium website.

Attract the Best Employees: Take the WG Professional Compensation & HR Practices Survey – Deadline is May 16

May 5th, 2016

Western Growers is offering members a secret weapon in helping attract and retain the best employees in California and Arizona’s produce industry. For the past six years, the Western Growers HR Practices and Compensation Survey has collected data to provide members with crucial information needed to keep compensation competitive. And your participation this year is vital to building a more robust database.

Every WG member who participates in the surveys will receive these valuable results at no cost (a nearly $2,000 value!). Your participation also qualifies you for a chance to win a 16GB iPad Air® 2.

Below is a preview of the type of results you will receive by participating in the survey. In 2015:

  • 93% of companies offered an annual bonus plan
  • There continued to be a strong correlation of pay to revenue size of organization
  • All size employers—from fewer than 50 employees to 500+ employees—absorbed about the same percent of the monthly premium for both HMO and PPO coverage for employee only. 

To participate in Western Growers’ 7th Annual Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey, input your data on the Survey website by May 16.

How the Surveys Works

Each year, Western Growers collects data in two surveys: the Professional Compensation Survey and the HR Practices Survey.

Professional Compensation Survey: collects base pay and variable (bonus) salary data for professional positions in the specialty crop industry. We use an independent, certified compensation specialist to protect the confidentiality of your data – no one at Western Growers sees your company’s information.

HR Practices Survey: collects information for performance appraisals, merit increases/merit budgets, bonus/incentive programs, austerity programs, health plan offerings, paid time off and more.

SIGN UP TODAY!

For more information, contact Karen Timmins at (949) 885-2295.

FSMA Safety Rule for Transporting Food Webinar – TOMORROW

May 10th, 2016

With the recent publication of the FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transport of Food, the produce industry has come together to provide a FREE webinar briefing by FDA on this new final rule.

The FSMA final rule on Sanitary Transportation outlines requirements that will affect many produce shippers, carriers and receivers as it establishes requirements regarding: vehicles and transportation equipment, transportation operations, training and recordkeeping. Under this rule, anyone transporting human and animal food must follow sanitary transportation procedures, such as properly refrigerating food, ensuring vehicles are sufficiently cleaned between loads and protecting food during transportation. While the final rule is still being reviewed, it would appear that the produce industry is already well positioned to comply.

This webinar will help produce industry members with understanding what businesses are covered by this new rule, what new regulatory obligations are and the implications for businesses along the supply questions directly of FDA about these new regulations, we are inviting you to participate in this produce-specific webinar on May 11th.

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC WEBINAR DETAILS

Webinar Title: FSMA Final Rule Series: Sanitary Transport of Food Rule

Date: Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Time: 1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. ET / 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. PT

REGISTER HERE

For more information, please contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251.

Crop Protection Tools Featured in Next Week’s Lunch & Learn Webinar

May 10th, 2016

Crop protection tools are vital to the economical and safe production of food, as they help farmers efficiently protect against plant diseases, insects, weeds and other pests. But, how has science or other factors impacted their evolution? Crop protection tools support a reliable food supply; with the demand for food increasing, the need for a variety of crop protection tool is greater than ever.

This webinar will feature Dr. Jerry Baron, executive director for the IR-4 Project. He will provide an overview of the evolution of crop protection tools and their future. He will also give a perspective on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency‘s (EPA) past and present efforts related to crop protection tools. Join us to hear about this topic and share your thoughts!

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: The Past and Future of Crop Protection Tools

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Baron, Executive Director, IR-4 Project

WG MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only.

Contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251 for questions about this Lunch & Learn webinar. For more information about crop protection tools, download WG’s new fact sheet that details how crop protection tools advance agriculture.

Win an IPad! Participate in HR Practices and Compensation Survey by May 16

May 12th, 2016

Western Growers is offering members a secret weapon in helping attract and retain the best employees in California and Arizona’s produce industry. For the past six years, the Western Growers HR Practices and Compensation Survey has collected data to provide members with crucial information needed to keep compensation competitive. And your participation this year is vital to building a more robust database.

Every WG member who participates in the surveys will receive these valuable results at no cost (a nearly $2,000 value!). Your participation also qualifies you for a chance to win a 16GB iPad Air® 2.

Below is a preview of the type of results you will receive by participating in the survey. In 2015:

  • 93% of companies offered an annual bonus plan
  • There continued to be a strong correlation of pay to revenue size of organization
  • All size employers—from fewer than 50 employees to 500+ employees—absorbed about the same percent of the monthly premium for both HMO and PPO coverage for employee only. 

To participate in Western Growers’ 7th Annual Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey, input your data on the Survey website by May 16.

How the Surveys Works

Each year, Western Growers collects data in two surveys: the Professional Compensation Survey and the HR Practices Survey.

Professional Compensation Survey: collects base pay and variable (bonus) salary data for professional positions in the specialty crop industry. We use an independent, certified compensation specialist to protect the confidentiality of your data – no one at Western Growers sees your company’s information.

HR Practices Survey: collects information for performance appraisals, merit increases/merit budgets, bonus/incentive programs, austerity programs, health plan offerings, paid time off and more.

SIGN UP TODAY!

For more information, contact Karen Timmins at (949) 885-2295.

Criminal Prosecution for Food Safety Violations Seminar on May 24

May 12th, 2016

Western Growers’ members are invited to attend the “Criminal Prosecution for Food Safety Violations and Prop. 65” seminar on May 24 at the WG Center for Innovation & Technology in Salinas, Calif.

This seminar will be conducted by attorneys from Alston & Bird LLP who will address concerns about the expanding risk of criminal prosecution of executives in the fresh produce industry. Also, attendees will learn about the Prop. 65 rules on naturally occurring compounds. The panel will address topics such as the following:

  • Will criminal exposure expand under FDA’s new FSMA?
  • How FDA and the Department of Justice decide to pursue criminal liability without fault
  • How the Department of Justice’s new Yates Memo increases criminal exposure for company executives
  • How produce companies and their executives can avoid criminal liability
  • Prop 65 rules on naturally occurring compounds

SEMINAR DETAILS

Date: Tuesday, May 24, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PST
Speakers:
Daniel G. Jarcho, Partner, Alston & Bird. Bio.
Edward T. Kang, Partner, Alston & Bird. Bio.
Maureen F. Gorsen, Partner, Alston & Bird. Bio.
Nowell D. Berreth, Partner, Alston & Bird. Bio.
Location: Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology
150 S Main St #130, Salinas, CA 93901
RSVP: To attend, please RSVP by May 17 to Yvette Minor at [email protected] or (949) 885-2248.

The seminar is sponsored by the WG legal and science & technology departments. Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only. For more information, please contact Jason Resnick at (949) 885-2253 or Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

Next Lunch & Learn: Past and Future of Crop Protection Tools

May 12th, 2016

Crop protection tools are vital to the economical and safe production of food, as they help farmers efficiently protect against plant diseases, insects, weeds and other pests. But, how has science or other factors impacted their evolution? Crop protection tools support a reliable food supply; with the demand for food increasing, the need for a variety of crop protection tool is greater than ever.

This webinar will feature Dr. Jerry Baron, executive director for the IR-4 Project. He will provide an overview of the evolution of crop protection tools and their future. He will also give a perspective on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency‘s past and present efforts related to crop protection tools. Join us to hear about this topic and share your thoughts!

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: The Past and Future of Crop Protection Tools

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Baron, Executive Director, IR-4 Project

WG MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only.

Contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251 for questions about this Lunch & Learn webinar. For more information about crop protection tools, download WG’s new fact sheet that details how crop protection tools advance agriculture.

Proposed Changes to Irrigated Land Programs More Costly & Time Consuming for Growers

May 12th, 2016

The State Water Resources Control Board is hosting a workshop on May 17 in Fresno to give growers and others the opportunity to testify on the proposed changes to the existing Irrigated Lands Program for growers in the Central Valley region. This Draft Order, if adopted, would become a statewide agricultural order.

The proposed order requires farm evaluation and nitrogen fertilizer information be posted on a public website so the public has more “transparency and accountability” with regard to growing practices.

It will be important for growers to attend the workshop and describe how the implementation of these requirements will remove any incentive for growers to voluntarily disclose farming practice information. The State Water Board members have mentioned how they appreciate growers’ efforts to provide information thus far, but still believe the public needs to have complete access to growers’ individual data. The hope is that if the data privacy issue is pushed hard enough (especially by growers), the State Board will withdraw this requirement from the proposed order.

Western Growers members are encouraged to attend and testify on May 17 in Fresno. Speakers typically are given 3-5 minutes but it is well worth it for the State Water Board to hear the message over and over again from growers.

WORKSHOP DETAILS

Date: Tuesday, May 17, 2016
Time: 9:00am
Location: Fresno Convention Center, 848 M St, Fresno, CA 93721, Exhibit Hall III

The State Water Board has posted the video recording and PowerPoint presentations from the May 4 workshop held in Sacramento here. The Draft Order can be found here.

For more information, contact Gail Delihant at (916) 446-1435 or [email protected].

Lunch & Learn THURSDAY: Past & Future of Crop Protection Tools

May 17th, 2016

Crop protection tools are vital to the economical and safe production of food, as they help farmers efficiently protect against plant diseases, insects, weeds and other pests. But, how has science or other factors impacted their evolution? Crop protection tools support a reliable food supply; with the demand for food increasing, the need for a variety of crop protection tool is greater than ever.

This webinar will feature Dr. Jerry Baron, executive director for the IR-4 Project. He will provide an overview of the evolution of crop protection tools and their future. He will also give a perspective on the U.S Environmental Protection Agency‘s past and present efforts related to crop protection tools. Join us to hear about this topic and share your thoughts!

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: The Past and Future of Crop Protection Tools

Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016

Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. PST

Speaker: Dr. Jerry Baron, Executive Director, IR-4 Project

WG MEMBERS REGISTER HERE

Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only.

Contact Sonia Salas at (949) 885-2251 for questions about this Lunch & Learn webinar. For more information about crop protection tools, download WG’s new fact sheet that details how crop protection tools advance agriculture.

Upcoming Heat Illness Prevention Trainings Help Employers Stay in Compliance

May 17th, 2016

As summer approaches, it is important to revisit Cal/OSHA regulations to help protect outdoor workers against heat-related illness and death. The State Compensation Insurance Fund has partnered with Cal/OSHA to offer Heat Illness Prevention Seminars free to the public.

The seminars will cover the requirements employers must meet to protect outdoor workers from heat illness onset and stay in in compliance with Cal/OSHA regulations. Additionally, presentations will include information on basic steps to prevent heat illness and how to detect warning signs and symptoms early. To register for any of the seminars below, contact [email protected] or call (707) 624-4572.

Training Dates and Locations

San Bernardino
Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Spanish); 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (English)
Location: Rosa Parks Memorial State Building – Dept. of Transportation Room 805
464 W. 4th Street
San Bernardino, CA 92401

La Quinta
Date: Thursday, May 19, 2016
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. (Spanish); 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. (English)
Location: Imperial Irrigation District
81600 Avenue 58
La Quinta, CA 92253

San Diego
Date: Monday, May 23, 2016
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. (Spanish); 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. (English)
Location: Department of Industrial Relations – 3rd Floor Training Room
7575 Metropolitan Drive
San Diego, CA 92108

Western Growers has trained safety specialists who can also assist members with heat illness training and preparation. If you need assistance with your heat illness program or any other safety needs, please contact Greg Nelson, Vice President of Western Growers Insurance Services, at (949) 885-2287.

OSHA to Publish Private Company Injury Data Online Starting in 2017

May 17th, 2016

The Department of Labor has just announced a change to their normal process for injury and illness data. Beginning in July of 2017, all companies with 250 or more employees will be required to report their injury and illness data directly to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The agency will then post this information online for access to anyone from the public. 

OSHA indicates that the new rule was inspired by behavioral economics. It noted that restaurants have improved sanitary conditions in their establishments since they have been required to post their health and cleanliness grades that they receive from the local county departments of health. OSHA expects that the same will happen with business operations when OSHA starts posting the injury information of individual companies online for anyone to see.

Under current rules, all employers must keep a log of work related injuries and illnesses. Those logs can be reviewed by employees or by OSHA inspectors who visit the locations. However, the information is not collected by OSHA nor is it published online.

Starting July 2017, all companies with more than 250 employees will be required to file this information electronically with OSHA and it will be posted online for all to see. Smaller companies will be required to report much less information; just the number of injuries and illnesses as well as the total number of hours worked, but not as extensive as larger organizations. According to OSHA, the new rules will force business organizations to pay even more attention to preventing injuries and illnesses. It’s expected that businesses with higher injury rates will garner unwanted attention from the media, dissuade potential applicants for employment and attract potential lawsuits around poor working conditions.

Business entities can take steps now to reduce the impact of these new regulations by acting to reduce their injuries and illnesses now. An effective Injury and Illness Protection Program, a comprehensive inspection of its operations and processes and appropriate safety training for all employees can help to reduce injuries and illnesses in the workplace. It can also have a significant impact on workers compensation programs by reducing costs and premiums. 

Western Growers has a long track record of assisting members with all of these issues.  If you would like assistance with any of these items, contact Greg Nelson, Vice President of Western Growers Insurance Services, at (949) 885-2287.

(image courtesy of OSHA)

Two New Innovators Advance WG’s AgTech Mission

May 19th, 2016

Western Growers proudly welcomes TerrAvion and Trace Genomics as the two newest startup companies in the Center for Innovation & Technology in Salinas, Calif. The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) opened its doors in December 2015 with six start-up companies and now has 15 companies working toward developing innovative solutions to help solve agriculture’s biggest challenges.

Using genetic sequencing technology, Trace Genomics provides customers with affordable detection of hundreds of pathogens and beneficial organisms simultaneously, enabling strain-specific identification of soil and seed-borne diseases.

TerrAvion focuses on providing real-time aerial imagery service for agriculture. Just recently, the company joined GeoVisual Analytics (who is also a WGCIT resident) on an agtech panel that discussed cutting-edge trends in imagery and innovative ways that aerial imagery can be used to detect crop stress, predict yield and reduce labor costs. The two companies are in the midst of launching a pilot project with hopes of presenting results this summer. A full recap of the panel can be found on the newly launched WGCIT blog site

Western Growers would also like to thank Coastline Family Farms for their sponsorship of the WGCIT. Coastal Produce is the 12th WGCIT sponsor and, together, the sponsors are a driving force in helping accelerate the development and deployment of technological advances in agriculture.

For a full list of the WGCIT residents and sponsors, visit http://www.wginnovation.com/.

Giclas to Discuss Ag Tech & Innovation During CDFA Meeting

May 26th, 2016

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will be hosting two public meetings next week to discuss agricultural innovation and food waste and has tapped Western Growers’ industry experts to serve as speakers.

Western Growers Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning, Science & Technology Hank Giclas and companies participating in the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology –TerrAvion and HeavyConnect— will be providing insight on agricultural technology and innovation. Additionally, three Western Growers members—Joe Pezzini of Ocean Mist, Tim York of Markon and Lynne Figone of Ag Against Hunger—will focus on the issue of food waste, discussing potential solutions to a growing global problem.

Meetings will be held on Tuesday, May 31, and Wednesday, June 1. The meeting on May 31st will focus on agtech and innovation and will be held at from 9 a.m. to noon at Amyris, 5885 Hollis Street, Ste. 100, Emeryville, CA 94608. Giclas and the Center’s resident companies will be among speakers from Amazon, AT&T and Joint BioEnergy Institute. The meeting on June 1st will focus on food waste and will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Mitchell Park Community Center, 3700 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto, CA 94303.

All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome. For more information, visit https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/

Join Us for the Forbes AgTech Summit in July

May 26th, 2016

The Second Annual Forbes AgTech Summit will bring together over 500 of the brightest minds, from global agriculture and Silicon Valley, to help tackle the world’s most critical challenges in agriculture. The event will showcase the latest innovations for growers, investors and stakeholders, as well as foster lively debate and generate rich networking opportunities.

As a benefit of Western Growers’ strategic partnership with Forbes, members will receive $250 off the regular admission price. We encourage all members to attend this premier agtech event!

Regular members should have received an e-mail invitation and discount code from Western Growers. If you did not receive this invitation, or are a non-member and would like to attend the event, please contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

Among the speakers will be Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif and Taylor Farms Founder & CEO Bruce Taylor (a WG member).

AGENDA

Wednesday, July 13th

  • Innovation Showcase
  • Field Demos
  • Plant Tours
  • Opening Reception

Thursday, July 14th

  • Plenary Sessions
  • Innovation Showcase
  • Closing Reception

For additional information about this event, please visit the Forbes AgTech Summit website.

Giclas and Taylor Address Attendees at ACWA Spring Conference

May 5th, 2016

Today, two of Western Growers’ own shared the stage during a luncheon presentation at the Association of California Water Agencies’ (ACWA) 2016 Spring Conference & Exhibition in Monterey, Calif.

Hundreds of local water leaders were on hand to witness a joint-keynote address given by Hank Giclas, Western Growers Senior Vice President, and Bruce Taylor, Taylor Farms Chairman/CEO, titled, “Agriculture: Embracing Technology in a New Era.”

Giclas began the presentation with an overview of Western Growers and the Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT), which aims to accelerate the availability of new technologies to address the current and emerging resource challenges facing the fresh produce industry. According to Giclas, the four defining purposes of the WGCIT are to connect, collaborate, educate and innovate.

Taylor rounded out the presentation with a discussion of the major challenges facing the industry, touching specifically on the growing demand to produce more using fewer resources. The former WG Chairman concluded his portion of the speech by detailing his original vision for the WGCIT and the need for a more proactive, adaptive and cooperative approach to solving the industry’s collective problems.

The luncheon presentation was a keynote address as part of the ongoing four-day annual ACWA event at the Monterey Marriot and Portola Hotel. An array of panel discussions, forums, presentations and keynote addresses were designed to explore California’s current water challenges as well as its long-term water resiliency. 

For more information, contact, Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

Western Growers Brings Ag Industry Needs Before Federal Policymakers

May 10th, 2016

Today, the Western Growers Board of Directors gathered in annual session to bring the needs of the fresh produce industry before administrative officials and Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C.

In speaking on the importance of the yearly fly-in, Chairman Larry Cox [Lawrence Cox Ranches; Brawley, CA] stated, “While Western Growers’ staff works admirably and effectively on our behalf on Capitol Hill, there is no substitute for our members standing face-to-face with our federal policymakers to communicate the urgency of our issues and the need for deliberative action.”

The morning began with several presentations by key agency staff, including Elanor Starmer, Administrator of USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service and Rebecca Buckner and Samir Assar with FDA’s Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.

In her remarks, Ms. Starmer discussed a range of topics, including efforts currently being undertaken by USDA to encourage drought resiliency for Western agriculture, as well as work with the agencies responsible for administering the H-2A program to make it more workable for the user community. She also expressed the intent of USDA to evolve its programs and services to address the needs of a constantly changing agricultural industry.

Dr. Buckner and Dr. Assar focused their comments on FDA activities to help the fresh produce industry implement the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules, and indicated that funding is available for education and outreach, as well as technical assistance to aid with compliance. Western Growers was praised as a leader in developing food safety programs and commended for its role in collaborating with the government on the creation a risk-based, commodity-specify regulatory system.

The Board also heard a presentation from Daniel Jarcho and Edward King, Partners with Alston and Bird LLP, discussing criminal liability for food safety violations under the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Jarcho and King shared the responsibilities corporate agents have under the law and presented several recommendations on how to limit exposure to damages related to potential and actual public harm.

In the afternoon, the Board agenda shifted to the Capitol where they fielded a succession of meetings with California, Arizona and Colorado senators and other strategic elected officials and legislative staff, including Senators McCain [R-AZ] and Gardner [R-CO] and Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts [R-KS] and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow [D-MI].

During the course of these appointments, the major topics addressed included the western drought relief, farm bill, international trade, a national GMO labeling standard and both comprehensive immigration and H-2A reform.

“The D.C. Board Meeting has a tremendous impact on our ability to move legislation and bring about regulatory reform,” said Western Growers Vice President of Federal Government Affairs Dennis Nuxoll. “Seeing the farmers who grow the bulk of our nation’s fresh produce in person leaves a lasting impression on our elected representatives and administrative officials and helps humanize our industry.”

On Wednesday and Thursday, the Board will continue to meet with Congressional representatives, agency officials and partner organizations to advance the interests of Western Growers’ members. 

Annual D.C. Board Fly-In Concludes with Impactful Meetings

May 12th, 2016

The Western Growers Board of Directors concluded their annual Washington, D.C., fly-in this afternoon following a round of morning meetings at the Willard Intercontinental Hotel.

Most critical was a question and answer session with Estevan Lopez, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, Department of the Interior. The topic of conversation centered around the Bureau’s management of California’s surface water supplies, particularly as it relates to the movement of water south of the Delta. Commissioner Lopez also touched on long-term strategies for managing future water demands in the Colorado River Basin.

The morning session wrapped up with several presentations on the Farmer-Veteran Coalition and sustainability measurement efforts in the agriculture industry.

Thursday’s events followed on the heels of two full days of meetings with key legislative representatives and regulatory officials on Capitol Hill.

After a series of Administration and Senate meetings on Tuesday, the Board spent Wednesday with numerous members of the California House delegation, as well as the Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee and two of the top four members of the House Republican leadership – Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy [CA 23] and Conference Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers [WA-5].

Similar to the Senate meetings, conversations with the House representatives focused on the prospects for drought relief legislation, immigration and H-2A reform, Endangered Species Act reform and passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership.

Following the House meetings, the Board heard from Ambassador Daniel Hernandez-Joseph, Charge d’ Affaires, Embassy of Mexico. Over dinner, Ambassador Hernandez-Joseph and the Board engaged in lively dialogue around the current U.S.-Mexico relationship, recent growth of the Mexican economy and prospective future flows of Mexican agricultural workers to the United States.

Given the complexities of the issues facing California, Arizona and Colorado fresh produce growers, the annual D.C. Board Meeting serves as an opportunity to open up the lines of communication between our members and federal policymakers. As in previous years, the presence of our Directors will prove invaluable to the ongoing efforts of Western Growers staff to advocate on behalf of our members and the broader agricultural industry. 

On “Corporate Agriculture” and Other Loaded Language

May 18th, 2016

George Skelton has been writing for the L.A. Times since before many of his readers first picked up a newspaper. As both a White House reporter and columnist, he has developed a reputation as one of the keener observers of California government and politics. His columns are generally insightful.

His recent column about farms and water use, however, reveals a sad willingness to parrot the talking points of environmental activist groups like Natural Resources Defense Council. Without any pretense of objective thought or skepticism, Skelton regurgitated many of the environmental activists’ rhetorical broadsides against agricultural water use. He pans Governor Jerry Brown’s executive order making previously temporary urban water conservation rules permanent. Not because Skelton believes city dwellers have a God-given right to waste water, but because he believes the Governor is giving agriculture a free pass (“But it’s basically hands off agriculture.”).

The crux of Skelton’s critique is that, “…corporate agriculture is free to plant all the water-gulping nut orchards it desires, even in a semi-desert.” And he doesn’t just vilify nut farmers. He goes after tree fruit growers, too (because they also cannot temporarily stop watering during dry years).

We’ve heard all this many times before, from environmental activists. Terms like “corporate agriculture” are loaded and meant to communicate one thing – that large farming companies are inherently bad and the enemy of both people and the environment.

No term could be more intellectually dishonest in describing the demographics of California agriculture. In fact, only 1.3 percent of all California farms are non-family held corporations. That means nearly all California farms are owned and operated by innovative, industrious and multi-generational families; people who care about the land and workers who make our state the most productive supplier of fresh produce in the country. Like millions of family-owned business in America, California’s farm families establish themselves as corporations for tax purposes. But Skelton would have you believe these farmers are no different than IBM or Citibank, because hey, they’re all “corporate.”

In the same sentence, Skelton suggests that certain permanent crops should not be grown in the San Joaquin Valley because it is a “semi-desert” (he also uses the term “semiarid” later in the column).

This is another lazy attack line from the environmental activists. The San Joaquin Valley, which has more Class 1 (the most fertile) soil than anywhere else in the world and is within one of the world’s five Mediterranean climates, is a geographical marvel, capable of producing a greater variety of crops with more efficiency and higher yields than any other region on the planet. Talk about a worthwhile use of limited water resources (which was, by the way, recognized by the original builders of the Central Valley Project).

Skelton goes on to perpetuate another myth, that agriculture uses 80 percent of California’s water. Not once, but twice… and in consecutive sentences, too.

“Agriculture slurps up 80%, much of it in the semiarid San Joaquin Valley…” and “But while agriculture devours 80% of the developed water, it accounts for only 2% of the state’s gross product…”

Where to begin?

For one, repeating the flawed 80 percent figure doesn’t make it twice as true. The California Department of Water Resources clearly states that agriculture uses 40% of the state’s managed water. Fully half of our state’s water resources are used (or “slurped,” or “devoured”) to meet environmental regulations.

While he is fond of citing the growth in acres of “thirsty” almonds, Skelton fails to acknowledge that total agricultural water use in California has not increased in nearly five decades (with an overall 43 percent increase in farm production, to boot). In the last decade alone, farmers have spent more than $3 billion in investments to upgrade to more efficient irrigation systems, increasing the amount land irrigated with low-volume irrigation by 150 percent.

The fact is California farmers are constantly seeking new ways to innovate and apply smart thinking to how they use water.

Then there is the “two percent” matter. As with most statistics, this number is useless without context. The California economy is huge and complex, made up of dozens of diverse sectors, and more resembles a large nation than it does a state like Iowa or Nebraska, with far smaller and more homogenous economies. While Skelton belittles agriculture as “only two percent” of the state’s economy, he probably doesn’t know that only two private sector industries – real estate and manufacturing – break through single digits in California’s gross domestic product, or that agriculture contributes more to our state’s diverse economy than our celebrated entertainment industry.

Taken as a country, California would be the 7th largest economy in the world, ahead of Brazil, Russia and India. Two percent of our $2.4 trillion economy is a big economic footprint, especially when you factor in the upstream and downstream jobs dependent on agriculture. The total economic impact of the industry is two or three times its direct impact. California’s agriculture economy is, by itself, larger than the entire economies of four states!

Skelton decries the use of groundwater by San Joaquin Valley farmers, stating, “So when government reduces water deliveries through the giant aqueducts, farmers feel compelled to drill deeper wells, further draining aquifers.”

It is unfortunate that Skelton chooses to dwell on the second half of this sentence, when the real story (and cause of the overdraft he disparages) is contained in the first. Over the past decade, San Joaquin Valley farmers have received an average of less than 30 percent of their federal water allocations, including nothing in 2014 and 2015 and just five percent this year, despite El Niño filling up most of our reservoirs in northern California.

Skelton blames farmers for drilling wells to replace just some of surface water regulators shunted past our aqueducts and reservoirs and sent out to the sea.

Again, sadly right out of the environmental activists’ playbook.