Conservis Discusses Enterprise Ag Management Tool during June 7 Tech Talk

June 2nd, 2016

Conservis will lead a Tech Talk webinar on June 7 to discuss how its enterprise ag platform gives tree nut growers more control to make cost, production and investment decisions. The platform provides owners and operators real-time control—from planning, purchasing, planting through harvesting and inventory management. During the Tech Talk, the company will demonstrate how its technology works and how the platform can be used to enhance operations.

Conservis is one of 16 start-up companies currently innovating out of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology. As part of the Center’s mission to advance the development of agricultural technology, it offers events like Tech Talks to introduce WG members and the community to the latest innovations. Tech Talks are offered at no cost.

EVENT INFORMATION

Tech Talk: Conservis Enterprise Ag Management Tool

Date: Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm PDT

RSVP: To attend the webinar, please register here.

For more information about the Tech Talk Series or the Center, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

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Administrative Law Judge Sides with EPA to Halt Belt Insecticide Use

June 2nd, 2016

Today, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Administrative Law Judge sided with EPA in a case which could force Bayer to cancel all uses of flubendiamide, or Belt, in the United States.

The judge’s initial decision will now be reviewed by the Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) and will not be considered final until the EAB issues its ruling in July. While under EAB review, distributors, retailers and farmers can continue to buy, sell and use the product in their operations. 

Bayer believes that EPA’s proposal to cancel the product exaggerates its environmental risk, violates transparent and proper regulatory processes, undermines the scientific integrity of the regulatory system and ultimately seeks to deny farmers a valuable tool to manage destructive pests on their farms. To learn more about the case, read Bayer Fights EPA over Use of Pesticide and EPA Moves to Cancel Belt Insecticide Use.

Western Growers is working to help keep the product on the market for our members that rely on this important product. For more information, please contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205. 

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House of Origin Deadline Pushes California Legislature to Pass Bills

June 9th, 2016

The second year of the 2015-2016 California legislative session has advanced beyond the June 3rd deadline for bills to be voted out of their house of origin. Several key bills that Western Growers has been actively lobbying are updated below.

AB 2405 (Gatto, D-Silver Lake) – Oppose: This bill would have mandated California employers to provide eight hours of paid time off each year for the purpose of school activities leave for all employees. AB 2405 would have further burdened employers in regard to the administration of the paid time off policy. This includes calculating accrual, carryover, usage of the paid time off, pay out at the time of termination or separation, documentation of the paid time off and calculation of the paid time off. Western Growers was part of a large coalition in opposition this bill. AB 2405 failed passage out of the Assembly.

AB 2667 (Thurmond, D-Richmond) – Oppose: This bill would have prohibited the arbitration of Unruh Civil Rights violations made as a condition of a contract for goods or services. Western Growers joined a large business coalition in opposition to this bill because its provisions interfered with the fundamental attributes of arbitration and would likely be preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act. AB 2667 failed passage in the Assembly.

AB 2757 (Gonzalez, D-San Diego) – Oppose: AB 2757 would have repealed the longstanding 10-hour daily and weekly overtime requirements that are currently in place for farmworkers. This UFW – sponsored legislation would have incrementally decreased the existing threshold until it reached eight hours per day and 40 hours per week. Combined with the state’s new minimum wage law, the Gonzalez overtime bill posed a serious threat to the ability of farmers to provide jobs and additional work hours for hardworking farmworkers. Western Growers helped lead a broad coalition of organizations from both agriculture and allied industries in opposition to the bill. AB 2757 failed passage in the Assembly.

AB 2879 (Stone, D-Scotts Valley) – Oppose: Similar to the opposition’s concerns with AB 2667 above, AB 2879 discriminated against arbitration agreements and its passage would have likely conflicted with the Federal Arbitration Act. AB 2879 did not come up for a vote in the Assembly thereby missing the deadline to pass out of that house.

SB 1282 (Jackson, D-Santa Barbara) – Oppose: This bill would have required the labeling of seeds and plants sold at retail establishments that are treated with neonicotinoids and largely prohibited the use of consumer neonicotinoid pesticides. Earlier versions of this bill would have required neonicotinoid pesticides to be designated as restricted materials by DPR. SB 1282 failed passage in the Senate.

SB 1383 (Lara, D-Bell Gardens) – Oppose: SB 1383 will require the California Air Resources Board to approve and implement a comprehensive strategy to reduce emissions of short-lived climate pollutants. Specifically, the bill requires a 50% reduction in black carbon emissions, a 40% reduction in methane emissions, and a 40% reduction in hydrofluorocarbon gases below 2013 levels by 2030. Western Growers is part of a large coalition in opposition to this bill. SB 1383 passed out of the Senate and will next be heard in the Assembly. For details on how this bill will affect agriculture, read “Pollution Reduction Proposal Is All Stick and No Carrot.”

Please contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435 for more information.

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USDA Hosting Workshops on Strawberry Crop Insurance

June 9th, 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Risk Management Agency is hosting two workshops—scheduled for Monday, June 13 (Oxnard, Calif.) and Tuesday, June 14 (Santa Maria, Calif.)—to provide an overview of the strawberry crop insurance program. Growers are invited to participate in discussions regarding the extension and further development of the Strawberry Crop Insurance Program, as well as the potential development of a special endorsement to the policy. USDA will also be discussing how the insurance program can work for growers, the program requirements, purchase date, and how crop insurance can be purchased.  Strawberry growers and encouraged to attend and offer their input to the USDA, Risk Management Agency (RMA) presentation.

The strawberry crop insurance program is currently available in the following counties: Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. The program is based on the grower’s own revenue history and protects growers against losses from low yield, low price or a combination of both. The insurance is federally subsidized to help lower the cost for growers.

The program was developed in 2012 and was further reviewed by the USDA in 2015. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation enhanced and extended the program for two years. Since the beginning, the insurance team at Western Growers has played an integral role in helping USDA tailor the program to growers’ needs.

“For years, the California Strawberry Commission and Western Growers have collaborated with and facilitated the conversation between USDA and strawberry growers to help develop a product that meets the needs of farmers not only in California but throughout the nation,” said Matt McInerney, Senior Executive Vice President of Western Growers.

To learn more about Western Growers’ role in the development of the program, visit: PRESS RELEASE: Western Growers Partners with USDA to Enhance Strawberry Crop Insurance Program.

Oxnard Grower Outreach Meeting
Monday, June 13, 2016
8:00am -10:00am (breakfast served)
Courtyard by Marriot
600 E. Esplanade Dr.
Oxnard, CA 93036

Santa Maria Grower Outreach Meeting
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
9:00am-11:00am
Ag. Commissioner’s Office
624 W. Foster Rd.
Santa Maria, CA 93455

Please RSVP to Therese Galvan at [email protected] or (949) 885-2270. For more information about the program, contact Gretchen Rooney-Adan at [email protected] or (530) 305-7800. 

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Learn About New AgTech Innovations at Forbes Summit – July 13-14

June 14th, 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.

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Western Governors Urge ESA Reform

June 16th, 2016

The Western Governors’ Association unanimously approved a reform resolution this week detailing how the Endangered Species Act (ESA) should be amended to provide clearer recovery goals for listed species and bolster the role of state/local governments in species conservation and ESA implementation.

The ESA reform recommendations are the culmination of a yearlong, bipartisan effort to help conservation groups, industry and elected officials explore how the 1973 law might be made more effective in achieving its intent while remaining workable for all affected stakeholders. The initiative lists seven main goals for reauthorizing ESA, including the following:

  1. Requiring clearer goals for recovering imperiled species.
  2. Improving regulatory flexibility for federal agencies to prioritize listing petitions for species in most need of attention.
  3. Enhancing the role of state governments in recovering species.
  4. Ensuring the use of sound science in ESA decisions.
  5. Providing economic incentives for landowners to participate in conservation efforts.
  6. Providing a clearer definition of “foreseeable future,” a term in ESA that determines whether species are “threatened.”
  7. Making states “full partners” in listing, critical habitat and recovery decisions.

The full list of goals can be found in the Western Governors’ Association Policy Resolution 2016-08.

Committed to advocating for ESA reform, Western Growers is reaching out to the Western Governors’ Association to collaborate on potential stakeholder meetings. Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif recently authored a three-part series about the need for ESA reform in the WG&S Magazine:

For more information, please contact Dennis Nuxoll at (202) 296-0191 ext: 7303. 

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June 23 Lunch & Learn: Reality of Food Waste

June 16th, 2016

Food waste in the 21st century is difficult to conceive but the issue is becoming more prevalent as the population increases. With the global population expected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, we will need to increase our food supply by 70 percent.

Key challenges to accomplishing this include land and water availability and the need for innovative and new technologies to address agriculture’s biggest challenges—but we often ignore food waste.

Current statistics on food waste present a staggering reality that should not be ignored. While some food waste may be inevitable along our supply chain system, reducing food waste sounds like a no-brainer, yet we all have different ideas about the problem and solutions. This month’s Lunch & Learn will provide an overview of this reality, and current statistics, challenges and initiatives to reduce food waste. Join us to hear about this topic and share your thoughts!

WEBINAR DETAILS

Lunch & Learn Webinar: The Reality of Food Waste

Date: Thursday, June 23, 2016

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

Speaker: Dana Gunders, Staff Scientist, Food & Agriculture Program, National Resource Defense Council. Bio.

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 food waste, read “Food Waste: Reality Check.”

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AgTech Innovation Takes Center Stage at Forbes Summit – July 13-14

June 20th, 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 have access to the summit at over $250 off for a discounted price of $495. We encourage all members to attend this premier agtech event through the link below!

SOLD OUT

Among the speakers will be Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif, Taylor Farms Founder & CEO Bruce Taylor (a WG member), Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and more.

AGENDA

Wednesday, July 13

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

Thursday, July 14

  •  Plenary Sessions
  • Innovation Showcase
  • Closing Reception

For additional information about this event, visit the Forbes AgTech Summit website. Please contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205 for questions.

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WG’s New Careers in Ag Program Links STEM Education to Ag Workforce

June 23rd, 2016

With 60,000 job openings annually in agriculture and only 35,000 graduates available to fill them, Western Growers is helping fill the workforce gap with its newly-launched Careers in Ag Program. This career pathways program introduces college students to the educational pathways—courses, majors, internships—that lead to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers within the agricultural industry. 

The program looks to 1) encourage students to pursue and apply their STEM-related degrees toward a career in agriculture and 2) facilitate career placement between students and agricultural organizations.

“Western Growers is helping to lead the effort in building a highly-skilled agricultural workforce and shaping the next generation of ag pioneers,” said Tom Nassif, president & CEO of Western Growers. “With the global population reaching 9.3 billion within the next 30 years, the agriculture industry will be growing at an even faster pace. We are going to need a skilled, knowledgeable and innovative future workforce to help feed the world.”

Western Growers partnered with Cal Poly Pomona and UC Davis to bring forth the first cohort of students to participate in the program on June 13-15, 2016 in Salinas and other locations in Monterey County. A total of sixteen students met with agricultural companies that offered STEM-related career opportunities, as well as connected one-on-one with successful agricultural professionals in the STEM field. Images from the first Careers in Ag tour can be found on the WG Facebook.

Following the success of the initial cohort, Western Growers plans to offer the program multiple times a year in different locations throughout California and Arizona. If any member companies are interested in hosting a tour or have internship/career opportunities for STEM students, please contact Stephanie Thara at (949) 885-2256. 

More details about the program can be found in the official Careers in Ag Program press release or fact sheet.  

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Understand FSMA Final Rule on Intentional Adulteration with Complimentary Webinar

June 23rd, 2016

The produce industry has come together to provide a FREE webinar on the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) final rule for Mitigation Strategies to Protect Food Against Intentional Adulteration. This webinar briefing will be conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The new rule is aimed at preventing intentional adulteration from acts intended to cause wide-scale harm to public health, including acts of terrorism targeting the food supply. Such acts, while not likely to occur, could cause illness, death and economic disruption of the food supply absent mitigation strategies. Rather than targeting specific foods or hazards, this rule requires mitigation (risk-reducing) strategies for processes in certain registered food facilities.

This FSMA final rule applies to both domestic and foreign FDA-registered food facilities that manufacture, process, pack or hold food for consumption in the United States. It requires that some firms conduct vulnerability assessments and implement mitigation strategies to minimize or prevent the intentional contamination of foods. It also requires a written food defense plan for the first time.

This webinar will help produce sector members understand what businesses are covered by this new rule, as well as key provisions, compliance dates and exemptions. Don’t miss this opportunity to ask the FDA questions and better understand how the rule affects your business. Register today for this webinar!

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC WEBINAR DETAILS

Webinar Title: FSMA Final Rule Series: Intentional Adulteration Rule

Date: Tuesday, July 12, 2016

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

Speaker: Dr. Ryan Newkirk, Policy Analyst, FDA Food Defense and Emergency

REGISTER HERE

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

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How Much Are Farmers Really Making? Revamped Produce Price Index Has the Answer

June 23rd, 2016

Western Growers has revamped its “Produce Price Index” (PPI) website to now easily obtain fresh produce pricing comparisons throughout the nation. In an effort to educate consumers and stakeholders on how much farmers receive for their products, the PPI details the selling price at the farm, the average cost charged at major retail stores and the percentage spread between the two.

The website—which is updated weekly—lists prices from U.S. cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta, Chicago and New York. Users now have the ability to search the database by commodity, date range and location.

Western Growers has been providing pricing data on fresh produce items since 1996. Many consumers do not realize that farmers receive on average less than 16 cents of every $1 spent on food. With this improved website, we will continue to educate the public on the gap between farm and retail prices, as well as help consumers understand the pricing structure in the agriculture industry.

Visit the Produce Price Index website at http://www.producepriceindex.com/. For more information, contact Tom Oliveri at (949) 885-2269. 

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Tech Talk: iFoodDecisionSciences Showcases Food Safety Software on July 26

June 30th, 2016

iFoodDecisionSciences, one of 17 start-up companies currently working out of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, will lead a Tech Talk seminar on July 26 to explain and demonstrate how its software provides real-time food safety data with a click of a button.

iFoodDecisionSciences offers software that helps growers, harvesters, shippers, packers, third-party suppliers and processors save time and money by making data collection and analysis easier. Currently, most companies have to wait for a crew member to take information from the field back to the office and scan and format the data before analyzing the information. iFoodDecisionSciences simplifies and speeds up that process.

As part of the Center’s mission to advance the development of agricultural technology, it offers events like Tech Talks to introduce WG members and the community to the latest innovations. Tech Talks, which are offered at no cost, are hosted on a monthly basis. 

For more information about iFoodDecisionSciences, attend the Tech Talk and read the “Food Safety Data: Anytime, Anywhere” story recently featured in the WG&S Magazine.

EVENT INFORMATION
Tech Talk with iFoodDecisionSciences
Date: Tuesday, July 26, 2016
Location: Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology
150 Main Street, Suite 130
Salinas, CA 93901
Time: 4:00 – 5:00 pm PST
RSVP: To attend the webinar, please register here.

For more information about the Tech Talk Series or the Center, contact Hank Giclas at (949) 885-2205.

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New Video Says Other Stressors, Not Pumps, Leading to Delta Smelt Decline

June 2nd, 2016

Western Growers has launched a second video aimed at bringing greater public attention to the regulatory exacerbation of California’s drought and its devastating impact on thousands of farms and hundreds of rural communities in the San Joaquin Valley.

Released in March as part of a larger #lostCAwater digital media strategy – which included the development and promotion of the www.wga.com/water page – the first water video was viewed by more than a quarter million urban Californians and resulted in substantial social media activity.

That video focused on the government’s role in flushing billions of gallons of El Niño water out to sea. In abusing their discretion under the Endangered Species Act, the video noted that the agencies in charge of managing our water have restricted the Delta pumps far beyond what is required by the law.

To further extend the reach of that message, Western Growers is now in the process of executing a follow up digital media campaign, once again targeting urban and politically engaged Californians.

Going live earlier this week on Facebook and YouTube, the second water video observes that shutting down the pumps has not helped the Delta smelt and salmon recover, and explores other threats – such as predation, invasive species and wastewater discharges – to these endangered fish populations.

If you have not already done so, please take a minute to watch this video and help spread the word by sharing it on Twitter and via all of your other social media channels.

[VIDEO::https://vimeo.com/168972704::aVideoStyle]

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Coalition Calls for Changes to Regulations on Delta Predators

June 7th, 2016

Western Growers and a coalition of business and water organizations has submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to decrease size limits and increase bag limits for black bass and striped bass in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and its tributaries.

In an effort to protect the Delta smelt and salmon, government regulators have placed greatest emphasis on just one of many possible stressors affecting these endangered fish populations: the state and federal water project pumps at the southern Delta. However, despite years of turning down the pumps and paralyzing thousands of San Joaquin Valley farms, many fish biologists believe these species aren’t recovering. Yet regulators continue to give little emphasis to other threats to the Delta ecosystem, including predation.

The purpose of the proposed changes is to reduce predation by non-native black bass and striped bass on threatened or endangered native fish species. Predation is a major source of mortality for protected fish in the Delta, a fact that is well-documented in reports from government agencies and outside experts. For example, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife has stated that striped bass may consume up to half of all endangered winter- and spring-run salmon.

California’s protection of these predators through the imposition of size and bag limits has exacerbated their harm to protected smelt and salmon.

For black bass, the proposed changes would decrease the size limit from 12 inches to eight inches and increase the daily bag limit from five fish to 10 fish. The size limit for striped bass would be decreased from 18 inches to 12 inches and the daily bag limit would be increased from two fish to six fish.

Click on the link for more information on other stressors impacting the Delta smelt and salmon populations. 

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100+ Degree Temps Expected around California This Week; Cal-OSHA Issues Heat Warnings

June 2nd, 2016

Following the issuance of excessive heat warnings for many areas throughout California by the National Weather Service’s issuance, Cal/OSHA sent out a notice reminding employers to protect their outdoor workers from heat illness. The greater San Diego area and the Inland Empire east of Los Angeles as well as cities in the San Francisco Bay Area are expected to experience 100+ degree weather this week.

According to the release, California’s heat regulation requires all employers with outdoor workers to protect them by taking these basic steps:

  • Train all employees and supervisors about heat illness prevention.
  • Provide enough fresh water so that each employee can drink at least 1 quart, or four 8-ounce glasses, of water per hour, and encourage them to do so.
  • Provide access to shade and encourage employees to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least 5 minutes. They should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.
  • Develop and implement written procedures for complying with the Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention Standard.

Employers must also review or create plans to monitor employees in high-heat conditions by instituting one of the following: a 1 supervisor-to-20 or fewer employees ratio; a mandatory buddy system; or a consistent practice for supervisors to check in with employees. In addition, agricultural employers must provide employees with 10-minute cool-down rest periods every 2 hours, which must be treated as paid rest and recovery periods.

Read the full release HERE.

For more information on heat illness regulations, contact Jason Resnick at (949) 885-2253.

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Gonzalez’s Ag Overtime Bill Defeated on Assembly Floor

June 3rd, 2016

Yesterday, the California Assembly rejected a UFW-sponsored overtime bill by a final vote count of 38-35, with seven members abstaining. Western Growers helped lead a broad coalition of organizations from both agriculture and allied industries in the effort to stop the bill. We appreciate the engagement of our members in reaching out to their Assembly Members to urge a “No” vote on the floor. Your voice was heard.

SEE HOW YOUR ASSEMBLYMEMBER VOTED

Gonzalez’s bill would have repealed the longstanding 10-hour daily and weekly overtime requirements currently in place. The legislation would have incrementally decreased the existing overtime threshold until it reached eight (8) hours per day and 40 hours per week.

Combined with the state’s new minimum wage law, the Gonzalez overtime bill posed a serious threat to the ability of farmers to provide jobs and additional work hours for hardworking farmworkers. California already has one of the nation’s most progressive overtime requirements for farmworkers and is one of only a few states that provides overtime for farmworkers. Had it passed, the bill would have hurt the very people it was trying to help by compelling farmers to reduce the work hours now available to them.

U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein waded into the state legislative debate at the last minute to try and help buoy the bill when she sent a letter of support to the Assembly Speaker. Western Growers sent her a letter asking her to reconsider her position after detailing the substantial California-specific regulatory burdens that place our farmers at a competitive disadvantage nationally and globally.

For more information, contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435.

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AB 1513 SAFE HARBOR DEADLINE SET FOR JULY 1: Attend Compliance Seminar on June 22

June 7th, 2016

Western Growers will present an AB 1513 “Safe Harbor” seminar conducted by industry lawyers on June 22 at the Taylor Farm headquarters in Salinas, Calif.

July 1, 2016, is the deadline for employers to elect the safe harbor option under AB 1513. Employers who timely make the election and back payments will have a legal defense to claims for back wages and other penalties associated with unpaid and underpaid piece-rate compensation. Read “Countdown to Piece-Rate Safe Harbor Election” for more information about the deadline.

The important and timely seminar will guide you in calculating the unpaid rest and recovery and “other non-productive time.” This will be significant in enabling your company to make an informed decision on the “safe harbor” option in accordance with AB 1513. The seminar is ideal for owners, accountants and bookkeepers so they understand how to make the calculations necessary for making back payments under the new law.

SEMINAR DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Speakers:
Patrick Moody, Partner, Barsamian & Moody. Bio.  
Jason Resnick, Vice President & General Counsel, Western Growers. Bio.
Ana C. Toledo, Attorney, Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss. Bio.
Location: Taylor Farms
150 Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
3rd Floor Classroom
RSVP: To attend, please RSVP on our Event Page.

The seminar is sponsored by the WG legal department. Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only. For more information, please contact Jason Resnick at (949) 885-2253.

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WG to Mark Transportation Program Anniversary by Holding Giving Day Campaign

June 7th, 2016

For nearly ten years, Western Growers has been strategically aligned with C.H. Robinson through the Western Growers Transportation Program (WGTP) allowing us to offer our members access to a full array of turnkey supply chain solutions that include consultative account management, tailored pricing options, national surge capacity and business intelligence.

To mark the 10-year anniversary of this very successful program, on Wednesday, August 24th, Western Growers is teaming up with C.H. Robinson, Feeding America and other WGTP-licensed associations to hold a one-day philanthropic event to give back to communities in need.

Grower-shippers can contribute to this ‘Giving Day’ campaign by making a monetary or product donation. C.H. Robinson will warehouse and transport the donations to Feeding America locations across the country where they will be distributed to communities in need.

Western Growers is very appreciative of the efforts of C.H. Robinson, Feeding America and the following licensed association who are participating in this philanthropic event:

  • California Fresh Fruit Association
  • Idaho Grower Shipper Association
  • National Onion Association
  • Texas International Produce Association
  • Fresh Produce Association of America
  • Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
  • Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Please stay tuned to Spotlight and our social media pages (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for more information about the event and how you can participate! In the meantime, please go to our Transportation Program 10-Year Anniversary Giving Day website for more information.

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AB 1513 SAFE HARBOR DEADLINE SET FOR JULY 1: Attend June 22 Compliance Seminar

June 14th, 2016

Western Growers will present an AB 1513 “Safe Harbor” seminar conducted by industry lawyers on June 22 at the Taylor Farm headquarters in Salinas, Calif.

July 1, 2016, is the deadline for employers to elect the safe harbor option under AB 1513. Employers who timely make the election and back payments will have a legal defense to claims for back wages and other penalties associated with unpaid and underpaid piece-rate compensation. Read “Countdown to Piece-Rate Safe Harbor Election” for more information about the deadline.

The important and timely seminar will guide you in calculating the unpaid rest and recovery and “other non-productive time.” This will be significant in enabling your company to make an informed decision on the “safe harbor” option in accordance with AB 1513. The seminar is ideal for owners, accountants and bookkeepers so they understand how to make the calculations necessary for making back payments under the new law.

SEMINAR DETAILS
Date: Wednesday, June 22, 2016
Time: 3:00 – 4:30 PM
Speakers:
Patrick Moody, Partner, Barsamian & Moody. Bio.  
Jason Resnick, Vice President & General Counsel, Western Growers. Bio.
Ana C. Toledo, Attorney, Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss. Bio.
Location: Taylor Farms
150 Main St., Salinas, CA 93901
3rd Floor Classroom
RSVP: To attend, please RSVP to Ivan Martinez at [email protected] or (949) 885-4789.

The seminar is sponsored by the WG legal department. Participation is complimentary and available to WG members only. For more information, please contact Jason Resnick at (949) 885-2253.

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Fight Continues on California Farmworker Overtime

June 16th, 2016

In an unfortunate development for California’s farmers and farmworkers, Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D, San Diego) has amended one of her bills in the Senate to now include language from her previously defeated AB 2757. AB 1066 would repeal the longstanding 10-hour daily and weekly overtime requirements currently in place.

The legislation would incrementally decrease the existing overtime threshold over a four-year period until it reaches 8 hours per day and 40 hours per week. The bill has not yet been set for a hearing in the Senate. Western Growers is part of a large coalition in opposition to this bill.

We encourage all of our members to reach back out to your State Senators and Assembly Members and reiterate your opposition to this legislation. We will keep you informed of all activities related to the bill and alert you of the need to act when the timing is right. Please remain engaged with us on this issue.

For more information, contact Matthew Allen at (916) 446-1435. 

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