Last Chance to Provide Input on LGMA Changes

May 30th, 2017

There is only one webinar left to learn about and provide input on the potential changes to the Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA)-approved food safety metrics. The webinar will take place on Wednesday, June 7, 2017, from 10 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. PDT.

In May, Western Growers (WG) hosted a series of in-person listening sessions to provide interested parties and signatories of either the California or Arizona LGMAs with an opportunity to comment on possible changes to the LGMA-recognized metrics and audit checklist. All in-person listening sessions have concluded. A webinar on May 19 was also hosted to accommodate those who could not attend one of these sessions.

WG has been leading an effort to release a fully-revised version of the LGMA-approved metrics. This effort goes beyond the current annual LGMA-approved metrics amendment process managed by WG. This initiative incorporates peer-reviewed research presented at the Center of Produce Safety Symposiums, as well as input from an independent expert review panel, the Harmonized Food Safety Standard and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Produce Safety Rule. As a result, a revised LGMA audit checklist could be in place later this year. 

Don’t miss this opportunity and join us for the last listening session. The webinar is offered at no cost and is open to the public to tune in.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE JUNE 7 LGMA LISTENING SESSION

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

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Register Today! Produce Safety Workshops Start Next Week

May 30th, 2017

Western Growers and AgSafe will be hosting a series of workshops throughout June and July to assist fresh produce companies in meeting training requirements under the final FDA’s produce safety rule “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption.”

These two-day workshops will be offered in 11 different locations. During the first day, participants will have the opportunity to take the Produce Safety Alliance (PSA) Growers Training Course. During the second day, they will have the option to receive bilingual training on how to implement the FDA’s produce rule.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement that calls for “at least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.” The course will cover everything from Introduction to Produce Safety to How to Develop a Farm Food Safety Plan. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from the Association of Food and Drug Officials that verifies they have completed the training course.

The How to Implement the FDA’s Produce Rule Course will offer attendees tools and key requirements to assist those engaged in produce safety to identify key requirements of the FDA’s produce rule and to access practical resources to facilitate its implementation. This class will be taught in English and Spanish and will provide participants with the basics of this rule, key requirements, a better understanding of compliance dates and exemptions, resources to develop or update a food safety plan as well as to develop a robust training program. After attending the entire course, participants will be eligible to receive a certificate from AgSafe and Western Growers that verifies they have completed this training course.

These courses are open to all those stakeholders interested in produce safety. Members of AgSafe and Western Growers will receive a special discount. Don’t miss this opportunity, reserve your seat today!

TRAINIING DETAILS

Dates

Arizona

  • June 8 – 9: Springhill Suites by Marriott, 1825 E. 18th Street, Yuma, AZ 85365

California

  • June 13 – 14: Stanislaus County Farm Bureau, 1201 L Street, Modesto, CA 95353
  • June 15 – 16: San Joaquin Ag Center, 2101 E. Earhart Avenue, Stockton, CA 95206
  • June 20 – 21: Ricochet Community Center, 450 W. Aten Road, Imperial, CA 92251
  • June 22 – 23: Galilee Center, 66-101 Hammond Road, Mecca, CA 92254
  • July 11 – 12: A Royal Place, 6720 District Blvd., Bakersfield, CA 93313
  • July 13 – 14: Fresno County Farm Bureau, 1274 W. Hedges Avenue, Fresno, CA 93728
  • July 18 – 19: Orvene S. Community Center, 530 Park Avenue, Port Hueneme, CA 93041
  • July 20 – 21: Sherman Heights Community Center, 2258 Island Avenue, San Diego, CA 92102
  • July 25 – 26: Monterey County Farm Bureau, 1140 Abbott St., Ste C, Salinas, CA 93901
  • July 27 – 28: Bonipak, 1850 W. Stowell Road, Santa Maria, CA 93458

Costs

  • Day 1: PSA Grower Training Course (8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
    • AgSafe and Western Growers members = $360/person
    • Non-Member = $435/person
  • Day 2: How to implement the FDA’s Produce Safety Course (English 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. & Spanish 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.)
    • AgSafe and Western Growers members = $175/person
    • Non-Member = $205/person
    • Group Rate (3 or more participants) = $160/person
  • Day 1 & Day 2 Package:        
    • AgSafe and Western Growers = $485/person
    • Non-Member = $585/person

Register

Registration is open and seating is limited, save your spot. Register now!

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Stay tuned to Spotlight for dates, locations and additional details. For questions about the content of these workshops, contact Western Growers at [email protected]. For questions related to workshop logistics and registration, contact AgSafe at [email protected] 

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Nassif, Duda and WG Board Push Immigration Reform During Annual D.C. Fly-In

May 18th, 2017

With a final round of meetings Thursday morning, including a visit with California’s newest Senator, Kamala Harris, the Western Growers Board of Directors concluded their annual trip to Washington, D.C. Over the course of three days, directors and staff met with numerous congressional representatives from member states – California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico – including key leadership and agricultural committee members, as well as Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt.

With labor issues reaching critical stage for many WG members, and little movement since 2013 when the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill that was never taken up by the House of Representatives, the WG delegation made this topic the focal point of many conversations with elected leaders and administration officials.

“This week, our main message was that our members are facing a severe labor crisis and, consequently, immigration reform must become a top priority for Congress and President Trump,” said WG President and CEO Tom Nassif. “We pressed for a solution that not only provides for a workable future flow of guest workers, but one that also provides for adjustment of status for existing farmworkers.”

Other topics addressed during the course of the meetings included water infrastructure, tax reform, international trade, Endangered Species Act reform and the 2018 farm bill reauthorization.

“Every year I come to Washington, D.C., with Western Growers, I am reminded of the importance of our members engaging with our representatives and advocating on behalf of the fresh produce industry,” said WG Chairman Sammy Duda. “I am confident the relationships we reinforced this week will help pave the way for real legislative and regulatory solutions to the challenges facing western fruit, vegetable and tree nut farmers.”

The list of Congressional representatives and Administration officials visited include:

Senate

  • Jeff Flake and John McCain of Arizona
  • Dianne Feinstein and Kamala Harris of California
  • Michael Bennet and Cory Gardner of Colorado
  • Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts of Kansas
  • Martin Heinrich and Tom Udall of New Mexico
  • Tom Tillis of North Carolina

House

  • Ruben Gallego of Arizona
  • Salud Carbjal, Luis Correa, Jim Costa, Jeff Denham, Darrell Issa, House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Jimmy Panetta, David Valadao and Mimi Walters of California
  • Ken Buck and Mike Coffman of Colorado
  • Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida
  • Rodney Davis of Illinois
  • House Agricultural Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson of Minnesota
  • Ben Ray Lujan, Michelle Lujan-Grisham and Steve Pearce of New Mexico
  • House Agricultural Committee Chairman Mike Conaway of Texas
  • Bob Goodlatte of Virginia

Administration

  • Sonny Perdue , Secretary of Agriculture
  • Scott Pruitt, EPA Administrator
  • Ray Starling, Special Assistant to the President for Agriculture, Trade and Food Assistance

Visit Western Growers’ Facebook to see images from the D.C. fly-in. For questions, contact Cory Lunde at (949) 885-2264.  

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USCIS Issues New High-Tech Green Cards

May 2nd, 2017

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 19, 2017, that it will begin issuing revamped Permanent Resident Cards (commonly referred to as “green cards”) and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD Cards) as a part of the Next Generation Secure Identification Document Project.

The project is intended to modernize security measures through advanced biometrics technologies. USCIS began issuing the new cards on May 1.

The new green cards and EADs will:

  • Display the individual’s photos on both sides
  • Show a unique graphic image and color palette:
    • Green cards will have an image of the Statue of Liberty and a predominantly green palette
    • EAD cards will have an image of a bald eagle and a predominantly red palette
  • Have embedded holographic images

The new cards will no longer display the individual’s signature, and green cards will no longer have an optical stripe on the back.

USCIS states that it intends to deplete its existing card stock before transitioning to the new version, so some green cards and EADs issued after May 1 will display the older design format. Both versions of the cards are acceptable for Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification, E-Verify, and Systematic Alien Verification and Entitlements.

Green cards and EADs issued before May 1 will remain valid until they expire. Foreign nationals in possession of those cards will receive the redesigned version when seeking a renewal or replacement. Older green cards without expiration dates will also remain valid; however, USCIS recommends that the holders apply for replacement cards with the new design to reduce the likelihood of fraud or issues with document verification during interactions with the government.

Employers and HR representatives should familiarize themselves with the appearance and features of the redesigned documents so that they are prepared to properly comply with the Form I-9 employment verification process for new hires.

For more information about green cards and the green card process, visit USCIS’ web portal.

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Approved Prop 1 Safe Drinking Water Grant Program Projects Available on Natural Resources Website

May 4th, 2017

In 2014, California voters passed Proposition 1 (Prop 1), a $7.545 billion statewide ballot initiative also known as the Water Quality, Supply, and Infrastructure Improvement Act of 2014. While many people may think of Prop 1 as solely a mechanism for funding water supply infrastructure projects such as surface and groundwater storage, the general obligation bonds can also be applied to fund ecosystems and watershed protection and restoration projects.

Prop 1 has been receiving applications for grants for Safe Drinking Water Grant Program projects, many located near farming areas. This website shows the allocation and the committed amounts so far. There is also a website that shows a list of projects that have submitted applications, but that have not been approved. 

For more information on Prop 1 or on the availability of these funds for the Safe Drinking Water Grant Program, please contact Gail Delihant at (916) 446-1435.

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Critical Arizona Plant Services Appropriation Reaches Governor’s Desk Ahead of Final Budget Resolution

May 4th, 2017

Legislation that will be part of Arizona’s overall budget deal, HB 2253, was sent to Governor Doug Ducey today after the Senate passed it 28-2. The bill appropriates $150,000 to the Arizona Department of Agriculture’s Plant Services Division to supplement a loss of federal grant funding.

The appropriation allows the Department to continue serving the fresh produce and cattle industries by including various policy provisions and funds for state and federal export certifications, as well as for conducting pest surveys. The certifications and surveys ensure WG members can move their products freely.

Representative David Cook sponsored the bill. We also had significant support from Representative Don Shooter, House Appropriations Chairman.

WG is pleased that the Legislature has taken action on HB 2253 in advance of finalizing this year’s budget.

For more information, contact AnnaMarie Knorr at (602) 451-0658.

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Nassif Responds to Introduction of Senate “Blue Card” Bill

May 4th, 2017

Yesterday, the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 was introduced in the U.S. Senate. The bill, which incorporates elements of the “blue card” provisions contained in the failed 2013 Senate immigration bill, would allow undocumented farmworkers who have worked in agriculture for at least 100 days in the previous two years to earn blue card status.

A blue card would also make them eligible for green card status after three to five years, the time frame depending on the amount of hours they worked.

Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif issued a statement in response to the bill being introduced saying, “With the introduction of immigration legislation, the Senate elevates an issue often overlooked in the immigration reform debate: Retention of the existing agricultural workforce. To reform our broken immigration system, Congress must pass bipartisan solutions that acknowledge the contributions and value of current farmworkers while also creating a workable program to enable the future flow of labor to American farms. One without the other will not work.

“We are hopeful that those members of the legislature that are working on agricultural immigration legislation accelerate the process because time is definitely of the essence and our labor situation has reached a critical stage.”

For more information, please contact Cory Lunde at (949) 885-2264.

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Register for USDA’s Webinar on How to Access Free Market Information on Organics

May 16th, 2017

The USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service (AMS) is hosting a live, interactive webinar on Organic Reporting within their multiple Market News divisions, including Specialty Crops. Registrants will learn how the AMS’s Market News programs can provide interested parties with FREE access to the market information on organic products.   

The webinar will cover areas such as:

  • The scope of AMS’s Organic reporting capabilities
  • AMS’s new Organic’s landing page
  • The easy to use AMS Market News Portal for timely, accurate information
  • Highlighting the Organic Grain & Feedstuff report
  • How you can put Market News Organic reports to work for your business 
  • Question & Answer session to address issues important to you

Kimberly Mercer, Assistant to the Director, Specialty Crops Market News Division will present the specialty crop portion of the webinar.

Market News Organic Reporting Webinar Details
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2017
Time: 2:00 PM (ET)

Register for the Market News Organic Reporting Webinar

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Trump Administration Formally Announces NAFTA Renegotiation Process to Congress

May 18th, 2017

Today, Congress was formally notified by the Trump administration of its intent to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). The notification is necessary to begin a 90-day consultation process with Congress. The administration previously indicated that it would seek to renegotiate a better trade deal with both Mexico and Canada in lieu of formally withdrawing from the trade agreement; however the president did leave open the possibility that he would withdraw from the agreement entirely should a better deal for the U.S. not be reached.

In a statement issued late last month, Western Growers applauded the president’s decision to not immediately withdraw from NAFTA. WG plans to stay fully engaged with Congress and administration during the consultation process to ensure that member needs and concerns are considered.

For more information, contact Ken Barbic at (202) 296-0191.   

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Arizona Industrial Commission Updates Minimum Wage and Earned Sick Time FAQs

May 23rd, 2017

To assist users with better understanding Proposition 206 (The Fair Wages and Healthy Families Act) and its implementation, the Arizona Industrial Commission recently updated the FAQ’s for minimum wage and earned paid sick time requirements.

Proposition 206 is a state-wide ballot initiative that passed in November of 2016. The measure has two parts: 1) a state-wide minimum wage increase and 2) mandatory employer-provided sick leave. As a result of its passage, the minimum wage in Arizona increased to $10/hour by January 1, 2017, and will increase incrementally up to $12/hour up until January 1, 2020 after which annual cost of living increases will be made based on the consumer price index.

The initiative also established the requirement that as of July 1, 2017, employers must provide employees with sick leave benefits, accruing sick time at a minimum of one hour per every 30 hours worked. There are various threshold limits for small employers (those under 15 employees) and large employers (those over 15 employees).

For more information, contact AnnaMarie Knorr at (602) 451-0658.

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California Labor Commissioner Issues Guidance on Paid Sick Leave Law

May 23rd, 2017

The California Labor Commissioner has issued new guidance on the state’s paid sick leave law (“PSL”). The guidance answers questions concerning an employer’s use of a “grandfathered” (existing) paid time off (“PTO”) plan to provide PSL, as well as the application of employer attendance policies when employee use PSL.

The new guidance takes into consideration the effect of an employer having had a PTO policy or plan in place before the law went into effect on January 1, 2015. For example, if an existing plan made at least the same amount of paid sick days available to an employee and under the same or more favorable conditions as specified in the PSL law, the employer may continue to use the existing PTO plan and does not have to provide additional paid sick days in order to satisfy the law’s requirements.

Second, the guidance also explains that the PSL law addresses only the rate of pay. For nonexempt employees, that is the regular rate of pay for the work week in which the leave was taken, or as determined by averaging over a 90-day period. The law does not impact the rate of pay the employer must pay for days that an employee takes off under the PTO plan for purposes other than paid sick days — such as vacation or personal holiday time — which may be paid at the employee’s “base rate” of pay.

Finally, the guidance addresses the question of whether an employer may discipline an employee for taking a paid sick day or using PSL for part of a day to go to a doctor’s appointment. The guidance clarifies that if an employee has accrued sick days available, an employer may not deny the employee the right to use those accrued paid sick days, including the right to use PSL for a partial day (e.g., to attend a doctor’s appointment). However, an employer may impose discipline for unscheduled absences that occur for reasons other than those enumerated in the law, or for which the employee does not have or does not use accrued and available PSL time.

The guidance only covers the state of California’s PSL law. It should be noted that there are myriad local ordinances and state and federal disability and leave laws that may intersect with an employer’s obligations under the state’s PSL law.

For more information, contact Jason Resnick at (949) 885-2253.  

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WG Urges Opposition to Bill Expanding Regulatory Reach Over Private Property

May 25th, 2017

AB 975, a bill that would restrict landowner’s water rights and devalue and limit the use of their property within a quarter mile of any river designated as “wild and scenic,” is awaiting a vote by the full Assembly. The legislation is authored by Assemblymember Laura Friedman (D-Glendale).

Want more details on why this is bad legislation? See Assembly Floor Alert 1 and Assembly Floor Alert 2.     

A coalition of agriculture and business organizations that includes Western Growers is opposed to the bill. WG members should alert their Assembly members to this bill and ask them to vote against it.   

Use this link to find out who your legislator is by clicking on “Find My Representative.”

For more information, contact Gail Delihant at (916) 446-1435.

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Western Growers’ Member Health Plan Celebrates 60th Anniversary and Opening of Newest Health and Wellness Center in Oxnard with Open House Series

May 2nd, 2017

Western Growers Assurance Trust, a group health plan offered to the members of Western Growers, will host a series of open house events showcasing their industry-leading health centers in four California locations

IRVINE, Calif., (May 2, 2017) — Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) celebrates 60 years of leadership in offering quality health care options to the agricultural community with a series of open house events in each of its four Cedar Health and Wellness Centers. The open houses will take place from May 9-12, 2017 in Salinas, Watsonville, Santa Maria and their newest location in Oxnard.

“We have been very pleased with the positive results our participating employers have achieved by offering the Cedar Health and Wellness Center option to their employees who live or work near our centers,” said David Zanze, executive vice president of Western Growers Assurance Trust. “These open house events give us an opportunity to introduce these health centers to other ag industry employers who are interested in maximizing their health cost savings.”

Sixty years ago, Western Growers launched the agriculture industry’s first solution to allowing agribusinesses to easily offer health plans to their employees: the Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT). Since then, WGAT has become the largest provider of health benefits for the agricultural industry. WGAT specializes in offering highly customizable benefit plans to meet the diverse needs of owners, managers, field workers and seasonal employees. Over the years, WGAT has helped employers manage the rising costs of health care through Consumer Driven Health Plans, Health Savings Accounts, High Deductible Health Plans and Flexible Spending Accounts. They have also partnered with Pinnacle Rx Solutions for affordable pharmacy plans.

WGAT started offering the Cedar Health & Wellness Centers and associated Cedar Network five years ago to further deliver exceptional care options with lower copays than standard plans. As part of the network, participating farm workers and agribusiness employees have access to everything from online wellness tools and networks that include Mexico providers to field services where bilingual WGAT teams visit work crews to answer health benefits-related questions.

The Cedar Health and Wellness Centers in Salinas, Santa Maria and Watsonville will be hosting open houses to reintroduce themselves to the business community since opening their doors. In an effort to further provide access to health services for ag workers, Watsonville has added radiology services, while Salinas and Santa Maria have moved to bigger facilities to accommodate more clients.

In February, WGAT opened its newest Cedar Health and Wellness Center in Oxnard and will have an official ribbon cutting during its open house. WGAT participants in Oxnard and surrounding communities can use the new Cedar center, which offers expanded hours, same day appointments, bilingual care and quality care options with lower copays than standard health plans. The services include immunizations, preventive routine checkups, health screenings, first aid and pediatric care for children two years and older.

Agriculture employers and their employees in the local communities are invited to the following open houses, which will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in:

  • Salinas – Tuesday, May, 9 [951 Blanco Circle, Suite F in Salinas]
  • Watsonville – Wednesday, May 10 [150 Carnation Drive, Suite 5 in Freedom]
  • Santa Maria – Thursday, May 11 [525 E. Plaza Drive, Suite 302 in Santa Maria]
  • Oxnard – Friday, May 12 [650 Hobson Way, Suite 207 in Oxnard]

All attendees will receive a guided tour, light refreshments, and a chance to win an Apple watch (for employers) and a new bike (for employees). Employees may also receive a complimentary health screening during the open house hours. For more information on Western Growers Assurance Trust, visit their website at WGAT.com or call (800) 333-4WGA.

About Western Growers:
Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce. Some members also farm throughout the U.S. and in other countries so people have year-round access to nutritious food. For generations, we have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on our Twitter and Facebook.

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Western Growers’ Statement on Senate Immigration Legislation Addressing Existing Farm Workforce

May 3rd, 2017

IRVINE, Calif., (May 3, 2017) —Following the introduction of the Agricultural Worker Program Act of 2017 in the Senate, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif released this statement:  

“With the introduction of immigration legislation, the Senate elevates an issue often overlooked in the immigration reform debate: Retention of the existing agricultural workforce. To reform our broken immigration system, Congress must pass bipartisan solutions that acknowledge the contributions and value of current farmworkers while also creating a workable program to enable the future flow of labor to American farms. One without the other will not work.

 “We are hopeful that those members of the legislature that are working on agricultural immigration legislation accelerate the process because time is definitely of the essence and our labor situation has reached a critical stage.”

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Getting the Most Out of Your Western Growers Membership

May 15th, 2017

By Kim Sherman

Western Growers Director of Membership

 

Western Growers has one mission: to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members. Over the past 91 years, we’ve lived up to this vision through committed advocacy in public policy and political action, and by offering diverse educational opportunities and affordable business services designed from the ground up to help you thrive in a constantly changing environment.

We are committed to delivering on the promise of each and every program, and to ensuring that you receive the most value possible from your membership. “It comes down to the commitment to do the right thing by our members. If we focus on that, everything else will fall into place,” says Senior Executive Vice President Matt McInerney. “It’s about sitting across the table and having an ongoing conversation with our members so that we truly understand what’s making the most positive impact on their business, what’s saving them the most money, and what’s helping them differentiate themselves in the marketplace. Every offering has to directly impact each member’s ability to become more competitive and successful. That’s the benchmark that matters.”

To help ensure that you’re getting the most value possible as a Western Growers member, let’s explore the full scope of services and resources available to you. By thinking of Western Growers first, you’re not just gaining access to proven services created specifically for agriculture, you’re investing in the health and vitality of our entire industry. Because Western Growers is wholly owned by our members, we’re able to reinvest the revenue from these services into public policy and political advocacy, focused scientific research, legal and human resources expertise, and other programs that help ensure the future viability of agriculture for generations to come.

 

Member Advocacy and Communications

Member advocacy has been at the heart of Western Growers since it was founded in 1926 as a voluntary association to combat rate hikes and poor service by railroads. Today, Western Growers continues to lead the fight for sound legislative and regulatory policy on behalf of each and every one of our more than 2,300 members.  It is no secret that the political challenges facing agriculture are more serious than ever, especially in Sacramento and Washington, D.C.  Western Growers commits significant resources to field a high quality team of professional advocates, utilizing fully dedicated in-house lobbyists in addition to contract lobbyists, in the nation’s capital as well as in Sacramento and Phoenix.

Western Growers Government Affairs provides the strong, unified political voice needed to ensure the stability of our industry. We help focus the power of thousands of growers, processors, shippers, and related businesses to influence state and federal decision-making on costly regulatory matters that affect your business, including immigration and labor availability, water supply, environmental and workplace regulations, food safety, taxation, trade, technology and others.

Utilizing traditional as well as emerging media strategies, Strategic Initiatives and Communication informs and persuades journalists and others involved in the many discussions and debates involving our industry. In addition, the Western Growers team keeps members informed of important industry news and events through WG’s ‘Spotlight’ newsletter and other communications.

 

Western Growers Foundation

Western Growers Foundation was initially formed to provide school-age children with the opportunity to learn about farming, nutrition, and healthy eating. After funding more than 1,000 school gardens, the Foundation has evolved into a movement of ag leaders working with educators to inspire our next generation of farmworkers. In addition to providing grants for schools to build and maintain their gardens, the Foundation’s mission has evolved to support STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) curriculum to nurture children’s natural curiosity in areas related to farming and agriculture.

Through sponsored curriculum and hands-on learning in the gardens, students learn about the science of how seeds become salads, the technology available to enhance plant growth, the engineering behind ag equipment, and the math needed to calculate how much water is necessary for optimal yield.

The work of the Foundation inspires children to pursue STEM-related degrees at the university level. Western Growers Careers in Ag Program encourages college students to apply their STEM degrees to highly-skilled jobs in agriculture.

Beyond all, the Foundation works to ensure a bright future for the ag industry by helping the next generation of farmworkers and consumers.

 

Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology

The future of agriculture also depends on nurturing today’s technological advancements while developing tomorrow’s industry-changing breakthroughs. The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, located in Salinas, is an incubator for technology companies and startups dedicated to solving the challenges faced by the ag industry. The Center creates a collaborative environment to help identify and prioritize industry challenges, recruit innovators to create solutions, and expose these technologies and startups to growers as well as the investment community. Since opening its doors in December 2015, the Center has engaged 35 startups working on issues such as mechanization, precision growing, labor and asset management, energy efficiency, and waste reduction.

 

Training and Education

Established in 2005, Western Growers University (WGU) helps members achieve a competitive advantage through their people by providing cost-effective, bilingual training in a broad range of subjects including HR and employment law, immigration and labor, employee benefits, health care reform, industry compensation, leadership skills, safety and risk management, PACA rights and remedies, science and tech, and Food Safety Modernization Act training.

In addition to WGU, Western Growers Science & Technology experts provide monthly webinars, guidelines, and regulatory resources on important scientific and technical topics to members, staff, policy makers, and the public.

 

Risk Management and Benefits Consulting

Since first offering health insurance and employee benefits in 1986, Western Growers Insurance Services has expanded to include property and casualty insurance, workers’ compensation, safety and loss control services, and health care reform consulting. We complement our members’ risk management resources with a team of more than 60 ag industry specialists available to help you identify, manage, and mitigate risk while guiding you step-by-step through the continuously-evolving insurance marketplace.

To further expand the choices available to our members, Western Growers Assurance Trust enables employers to provide quality health insurance options that have historically been unobtainable from commercial health insurance carriers. Our full-service third-party administrator, Pinnacle Claims Management, offers competitive, cost-efficient health benefits administration to self-insured employers, including medical, dental, vision, and COBRA. Additional pharmacy benefits and health management options are offered through PinnacleRx Solutions and Pinnacle Health Management.

 

Western Growers Financial Services

Established in 2000, Western Growers Financial Services (WGFS) is a registered investment advisor and FINRA member broker-dealer managing more than $230 million in client and corporate assets.

WGFS provides a wide array of long and short term cash management, 401k and other retirement planning services as well as a broad selection of investment options, helping you and your employees achieve your unique financial goals while preserving financial security for your business.

WGFS also offers personalized and transparent services for you and your family; from college education funding to promoting your retirement security, WGFS has complimentary solutions for your financial lifestyle plan.

 

Labor and Employment Law

Western Growers Labor Services helps members navigate the confusing H-2A visa program, which is growing in popularity as ag employers look for new ways to secure and maintain a legal and reliable workforce.

Western Growers provides legal guidance and training to help our members navigate confusing employment law and HR requirements. Our Legal & HR hotline also offers expert guidance on employment and labor law, immigration, food safety, contracts, and other HR-related inquiries. WG’s legal team conducts seminars and webinars to help members stay informed on legal issues including unions, labor shortages, wage and hour law, and employment law. If you need additional assistance, we can serve as a referral to an attorney in the Western Growers Ag Legal Network, which offers members discounted rates with attorneys specializing in an array of legal services.

Western Growers’ Personnel Procedures Manual—the authoritative guide for agricultural managers, supervisors, and HR staff—is updated annually to help California and Arizona ag employers stay in compliance with state and federal regulations.

 

Transportation and Trade

The Western Growers Transportation Program is a member-only service provided in partnership with C.H. Robinson that offers turnkey supply chain solutions for moving produce from source to destination. The program includes access to consultative account management, tailored pricing options, national surge capacity, and business intelligence; all without any fees or commitment of freight.

The Western Growers Trade Practices & Commodity Services (TPCS) department was founded in 1966, and returns millions of dollars to members each year through collections of slow pay and disputed sales contracts. TPCS also provides guidance and support in Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) trust actions, product guaranty statements, contract reviews, destination issues, packaging requirements, and standardization regulations, as well as continual education on rights and remedies with produce sales contracts, representation in PACA or Dispute Resolution Corporation (DRC) disputes, collection assistance for past due and disputed invoices, and coaching on real time challenges that our members face on a daily basis.

Western Growers also works for you on a global level, providing assistance with issues related to international trade, export, and logistics. We closely monitor international trade negotiations, address tariff and non-tariff barriers, and help mitigate the obstacles that affect export markets. WG’s Global MRL Database is an Internet–accessible electronic database containing global chemical regulatory standards and data, including maximum residue limits (MRLs) for various chemicals in agricultural crops that are applicable in certain legal jurisdictions.

 

Western Growers’ Commitment to You

Western Growers is able to offer the broadest possible range of solutions to our members because we develop in-house resources as well as partnerships with best-in-class third-party providers. To even be considered as a potential partner, candidates must be able to demonstrate the highest level of expertise and integrity, the desire to provide a consultative interaction with members, and a commitment to continuous improvement.

“We’re completely focused on member value,” adds McInerney. “Western Growers is able to attract and vet the best partners because of our position in the industry. We will never consider a partnership or initiative unless we determine that it’s truly valuable to our members. How does this benefit our members? Where are the savings? Where’s the offering that’s going to make them better in their business? We’ve asked the important questions to deliver on our promise.”

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Organics: Believe it or Not

May 15th, 2017

Contrary to the predictions of some “sages” of consumption preferences, organic produce sales are still soaring in the United States. In many instances, there are double digit increases with produce equaling 40 percent of ALL organic sales. So who are the visionaries that foresaw this continued upsurge in consumer desires for organics? That answer is clear. Our growers and shippers who now provide approximately 50 percent of the organic produce in the nation.

Knowing that, the next question is, what is it that Western Growers is doing to fulfill our mission to increase the profitability of our members? We engaged full throttle. We got involved at the highest level to ensure our organic growers were and are complying with organic standards. Not only that, but we also work to ensure that the standards are appropriate and necessary to meet the desires of our consumers. Yes, everything can be improved and when our members’ economic life is on the line, we get down and dirty into even the minutest detail to assure their market share.

There are some very small organic growers who would like standards that no one who grows on a commercial scale can meet. That preserves their niche. The demand, however, for organic fruits and vegetables has grown so incredibly that we can’t achieve perfection. Many organics standards acknowledge that by allowing some synthetic fertilizers so that we are near perfection.

In addition to monitoring the regulatory environment facing our members, Western Growers is focused on solving the long-term challenges facing the organic industry, including the need to develop the next generation of crop protection tools. While organics generally employ an integrated system of pest and disease management, there are a number of companies around the world advancing naturally-based, non-synthetic technologies that, with proper guidance from the industry, may be suitable for organic producers (and the broader fresh produce industry). We are actively pursuing these companies to determine how their research, such as the development of new biologics, might be applied in an organic setting.

Indeed, some of this activity is already happening at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, a key focal point for investigating these newer technologies, and I am confident that many of the developments achieved through this hub of innovation will have far-reaching benefits for the organic industry.

Finally, Western Growers is exploring ways this new research can be practically integrated into the complex certification structure that governs U.S. organic standards. For example, we are working with USDA to coordinate the funding of organic research with the organic certification process, ensuring that new developments are quickly deemed permissible by the certifying agencies and immediately applicable in organic production.

I believe these efforts are critical to the future viability of our organic members, as well as the fresh produce industry as a whole. Regardless of method of production, we are all moving toward an era of greater precision that reduces inputs and impacts associated with production of food. Advancements made in the organics arena can help inform the growing practices in conventional produce, and the efficiencies we have earned in conventional production can enhance the productivity of our organic ground. Through it all, Western Growers will continue to support the ability of our members to maximize the market opportunities that are available in both organic and conventional produce.

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Tom Nassif Wins Prestigious Agriculturalist of the Year Award

May 15th, 2017

Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif has been selected 2017 Agriculturalist of the Year by the California State Fair for his extensive contributions to the California agricultural industry.

“Looking at the list of past recipients of this award, I am humbled to be considered among these legendary and iconic names,” said Nassif. “Truly, I owe my success to the pioneers of California agriculture who have come before me, and to the thousands of hardworking and ingenious men and women who are currently leading our industry into a new era of abundance and prosperity.”

In selecting Nassif for the recognition, the California State Fair Ag Advisory Council considered his role in elevating the immigration reform debate to focus on the need for a reliable and legal workforce for agriculture, establishing a new specialty crop title in the Farm Bill, driving the creation of a new food safety system resulting in the formation of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, and opening the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology to accelerate solutions to the agriculture’s biggest challenges, among many other accomplishments.

“Tom Nassif is revered by members of Western Growers and the broader agricultural industry,” said Sammy Duda, senior vice president of national operations for Duda Farm Fresh Foods and chairman of Western Growers. “We are incredibly fortunate to have a man of his vision and leadership during a time of such political and marketplace uncertainty for farmers in California and across the country.”

Nassif’s achievements and service to the industry will be recognized at the State Fair Gala on Thursday, June 22, 2017. Held at the California State Fair in Sacramento, the Gala raises funds for The Friends of the California State Fair Student Scholarship Program, which seeks to support well-rounded, high academic achievers in agricultural-based fields of study. To attend the State Fair Gala and support the Student Scholarship program, please email [email protected].

The California State Fair, established 164 years ago, is dedicated as a place to celebrate California’s achievements, industries, agriculture, and diversity of its people, traditions and trends that shape the Golden State’s future.

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Varied Experiences Dot Career

May 15th, 2017

Will Feliz

President

Duncan Family Farms

Goodyear, Arizona

Director since 2016

 

FAMILY BACKGROUND: Will Feliz claims he never contemplated getting into any other line of work. He was born in El Centro, California, grew up in Firebaugh, California, and knew that agriculture would be his career. His parents met in the California desert area as his father worked in the harvesting end of the business and his mother had a position at the Mexican Consulate in Mexicali helping run the Bracero Program. After Bill and Caroline Feliz got married and chased the harvest for several years, Caroline insisted on settling down in one area. Firebaugh won the Feliz sweepstakes.

 

GROWING UP IN FIREBAUGH: After the move to California’s Westside melon district, Bill Feliz became a small entrepreneur involved in trucking, fertilizer application and harvesting. Unfortunately, he died in a tragic auto accident in the early 1990s. Son Will started working with his Dad as early as he can remember and then secured summer jobs with local melon companies. “I was immediately hooked. I knew I was going to be a produce guy.”

 

FIRST POST-COLLEGE FORAY INTO AG:  As Will was finishing up his agricultural degree at the UC Davis, he secured a three-month internship at a Pillsbury/Green Giant facility in Wisconsin. He was working with snap beans, sugar beets and corn and interacting with “some wonderful people.” As the internship came to a close, he was offered a permanent position, which would have kept him in agriculture, but more on the corporate side of the business. “I had a seminal moment. That was not what I wanted to do. Getting a job in produce was my goal. I politely declined the offer.”

 

PRODUCE CAREER WITH MANY STOPS: Will Feliz has been around the block a few times over the last 25 years. He began his produce career with Gilroy Farms. That brought him into the vicinity of the Salinas Valley, which is where he envisioned his career taking place. He then spent a couple of years with Fresh Valley Produce as a plant manager securing raw material for this vegetable processor in the very early days of the value-added boom. From there he spent about six years with Sysco’s produce division, which exposed him to farming operations from Mexico to Canada.

He came back to the value-added business for about a decade with stints at Ready Pac Produce, Chiquita Fresh, the Andrew Smith Company and River Ranch Fresh Foods. At each place he enjoyed the opportunity and the people he worked with, and increasingly moved into senior leadership positions. Both circumstances and better opportunities led to his many stops. “The common thread in my career is I have worked with a lot of great mentors and teachers. I have learned a great deal about many different facets of the business.”

The River Ranch stop ended as that company went through a re-organization, which gave Feliz the opportunity to take some time off and determine exactly where he wanted his career to go.

 

DUNCAN FAMILY FARMS: It was in 2009 that the opportunity to join Duncan Family Farms was presented to Feliz. “My wife, who had been in the industry, was familiar with the Duncan family and thought it would be a good. She had never before given me any advice about my career so I thought I should listen.”

Feliz said it has been a great decision, now going on eight years. “Arnott Duncan and the Duncan Family are great, authentic, passionate people.”

Feliz admits that moving to the Goodyear, Arizona, area was not what he had in mind when considering his next career move. “We were a little worried about the summer heat,” he quipped. “But you just have to learn to live with it. The other nine months are beautiful.”

Duncan Family Farms is a grower with a core business of supplying organic crops to many of the industry’s top value-added processors in both North America and the United Kingdom. The company is also a grower-shipper of several other crops, including strawberries, culinary herbs, kale and several chards. The firm has operations in central Arizona, Yuma, the Imperial Valley and in Tule Lake near the California/Oregon border. Goodyear is about 20 miles west of Phoenix.

 

FUTURE OF AGRICULTURE: Feliz is bullish on the future of agriculture in the western United States, noting that the business environment is friendly toward agriculture in Arizona and most of the other western states. “California has been more difficult,” he said in an understated way. But, he added that the industry is “incredibly resilient, full of fast learners and quick adapters. It may be incredibly difficult, but we will survive.”

 

WESTERN GROWERS CONNECTION: “I have been going to Western Growers events for 20 years. Early in my career, I identified Western Growers as an organization that was key to the success of agriculture. Western Growers is absolutely critical to the survival of the specialty crop industry in California and the West.”

 

FAMILY LIFE: Will and Audrey Feliz have been married 17 years and have two kids: Caleb, 13, and Caroline, 12. “We are outdoor enthusiasts; we love to hike. I’m an avid golfer and both the kids are heavily involved in taekwondo.” The family lives in Litchfield Park, Arizona.

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Business Strategies: Ownership Transitions in the Produce Industry

May 15th, 2017

By Brandt Brereton and Jared Hanley

Brereton, Hanley & Company

 

The western U.S. produce industry appears to be experiencing an accelerating rate of mergers and acquisitions. Brandt Brereton and Jared Hanley are experts on this topic, having spent the last 22 years advising owners of agricultural assets on various types of corporate finance transactions. Recently WG&S discussed with them the influences and trends that they are observing.

 

WG&S: The fresh produce arena is seeing a lot more merger and acquisition activity today than it did just a decade ago. What’s driving this change?

Brereton:  There certainly is an increasing rate of activity, and there are a number of causes. First, very broadly, there are demographic issues. The wave of Baby Boomer retirements is accelerating, with many younger generations not interested in taking over operations. This is not unique to the ag industry, but given the traditional family ownership structures in agriculture, it is particularly disruptive. Second, massive consolidations among retailers are forcing growers to follow suit and similarly consolidate in an effort to hold pricing power. Third, Wall Street has made great efforts to edge its way into what has traditionally been closely held, private businesses. This is true for both operating farms and farmland. Many very active public company and private equity buyers are backed by cheap institutional money. Finally, for social, operational, and financial reasons, more and more agricultural companies are exploring internal succession plans, like Employee Stock Ownership Plans, commonly referred to as “ESOPS.” Those ESOPs perpetuate the independence of the business, while providing shareholder liquidity and retaining control.

 

WG&S: Can you explain what an ESOP is?

Hanley: An Employee Stock Ownership Plan is a special form of retirement plan that provides employees with beneficial (though not outright) stock ownership in their employer’s firm at no expense to the employees. On behalf of its employees, the employer contributes to the ESOP stock or cash, which is held by the ESOP for the exclusive benefit of the employees. The employer receives a tax deduction in the amount of the cash or stock it contributes to the ESOP. If the stock is acquired by the ESOP from existing shareholders, then the sellers of that stock receive fair market value for their shares as well as the opportunity to eliminate taxes on the sale proceeds. The stock held for each employee is redeemed from the employee’s retirement account upon his termination of employment or retirement.

So, basically, an ESOP is a way to transfer ownership from the current owners to the employees that doesn’t cost the employees anything, provides an ongoing tax shield for the company’s operations, and allows the current owner to avoid paying any taxes on the sale. An ESOP also allows a company with a strong culture and management team to not disrupt operations but achieve tax-advantaged liquidity for selling shareholders. It is important to note that the employees have “beneficial” ownership, not actual ownership of the shares or voting controls.

 

WG&S: Can you provide a few examples of ESOP transactions?

Hanley: Sure, but bear in mind that ESOPs can be involved in many types of transactions. For example, they can be used as a platform for an acquisition strategy, or an ESOP-owned company can be sold like any other company. Robert Mann Packing was a successful ESOP-owned company that was recently sold to a strategic buyer. In terms of implementing an ESOP for succession planning or internal operations, the recent Tanimura & Antle transaction is a great example. The company wanted to empower its employees and took its role in the greater community very seriously. After considering many options, T&A believed an ESOP was the best way to achieve that.

 

WG&S: What future trends do you anticipate in terms of activity and valuations?

Brereton: As I mentioned, the wave of Baby Boomer retirements is just hitting its stride, so that supply impact will continue for the next decade or two. The attractive value proposition many farming enterprises can provide will also continue to attract the attention of Wall Street. So, in general, I don’t see any reason that activity would slow down. Turning to valuations, given the maturity of the produce industry and inherent stability of food consumption, some of the main drivers of value are external ones: namely, the health of the debt and public equity markets. We are currently in a robust debt environment, which allows buyers to cheaply leverage their acquisitions and pay top dollar. On average, the multiple of earnings paid today are some of the highest we have seen in a decade. Despite this, it’s difficult for strategic buyers and private equity groups to pay sellers, in after-tax dollars, more than what they can pay themselves by “selling in” to the ESOP. Hence, many multi-generation farming companies are turning their attention to learning about this type of transaction.

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Western Growers Center for Innovation Opening Doors to Workforce Diversity

May 15th, 2017

Earlier this year, Uber made headlines…not for its ride-services mobile app, but for its lack of diversity. The transportation network company released its first diversity report in March, revealing that women are underrepresented at the firm, in particular when it comes to jobs related to technology. While women make up 36 percent of Uber’s overall workforce, only 15 percent of the company’s tech jobs are held by women.

This trend is not limited to Uber, but repeats itself throughout the technology industry, where women make up an average of 30 percent of the workforce at companies like Google, Facebook and Twitter. The number of technology-related jobs held by women at these companies is far less—19 percent at Google, 16 percent at Facebook and 15 percent at Twitter. And, at Twitter, less than one in three leadership jobs are held by women.

The marginalization of women isn’t just present in the technology industry—it’s in agriculture, too. Nationally, women make up 30 percent of farmers. Of the total 969,672 women farmers in the United States, only 288,264 were principal operators; again, 30 percent.

“Thirty” seems to be the magic number for female employees when it comes to tech and ag companies. Though both industries are aware of the staggering statistics and have made concerted efforts to expand opportunities for women, the workforce still remains predominantly male.

 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADVANCEMENT

Agtech as we know it today, the intersection between agriculture and technology, first appeared on the scene around 2010 and has since grown immensely. In the past three years, investment in agtech soared 37 percent, from $2.36 billion invested across 264 deals in 2014 to $3.23 billion in financing over 580 deals in 2016.

As agtech continues to boom, so do the opportunities for women to advance in both the ag and tech industries. Through its Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT), Western Growers is helping shape a more diverse workforce by providing the support and resources needed for women to become leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-related fields.

The Center recently hosted a “From Farms to Incubator” event that showcased the story of minority women entrepreneurs who are playing a significant role in agtech. The event included a panel of six female innovators (three of whom are WGCIT residents) who spoke about their businesses and how they overcame struggles to launch a startup in an industry that has traditionally been dominated by men. This event was part of a special project led by Amy Wu, reporter at The Salinas Californian, to tell the story of women in agetch through community events, news stories and multimedia.

“From the beginning, the Center has served as an unofficial sponsor for this project, playing an integral role in developing this storyline,” said Dennis Donohue, lead of the WGCIT. “We helped Amy identify speakers for the stories and documentaries, many of whom are residents here at the Center; helped attract potential sponsors; and have hosted the project’s events and interviews.”

The panel inspired more than 50 attendees, including budding women technologists and entrepreneurs, to make their mark in the industry and continue to push the envelope in developing new systems and products to aid agriculture. The message is going beyond Salinas and has made its way globally; the documentary appeared on a national TV segment in Africa.

In addition to “From Farms to Incubator,” the Center is also a key supporter of herScript, an all-woman organization with the mission to cultivate a community of women innovators to lead in computer science. On April 29-30, the Center came together with Facebook and Google IgniteCS to sponsor herScript Hacks, an annual regional hackathon designed to engage students studying STEM-related topics. The agtech-themed hackathon encouraged university students to collaborate with Facebook engineers and farm owners to create technological solutions to real-world problems. Students left the hackathon with a deeper understanding of the vast opportunities and career possibilities that agtech has to offer, especially women.

“In just a year, the Center has become an ideal portal to success for women looking to break into agtech or lead in the ag and tech space,” said Donohue.

 

DIVERSITY WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT

In addition to the direct efforts of the Center, Western Growers plays a significant role in championing start-up companies that are making waves in workforce development.

HeavyConnect, one of the first residents of the WGCIT, prides itself on creating diversity in the workforce by offering young Latinas opportunities and careers in technology. The startup, which builds mobile workflow platforms that automate and simplify many of the tasks that consume a farming manager’s day, maintains a staff of software engineers that is 75 percent female and 100 percent Latino.

Considering that women hold only 26 percent of all professional IT jobs in the entire country, with Hispanic women holding a mere 1 percent, HeavyConnect is helping break the mold.

“We are proud of our demographics and it has strengthened our company,” said Patrick Zelaya, CEO at HeavyConnect. “I truly believe that our unconventional group of technologists is a very powerful corporate solution.”

Trace Genomics has also pledged their commitment to workforce diversity by providing internship and employment opportunities to qualified individuals from diverse backgrounds. Founded by Diane Wu and Poornima Parameswaran, the company delivers a soil-borne pathogen diagnostic test to detect diseases in soil. Both women are the children of first-generation immigrants, the first in their families to become entrepreneurs and are paving the way for future women in agtech.

They have brought on Jacaranda Medina, a soil science major at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and Briana Becerra, an environmental science major at CSU Monterey Bay, to work part-time as customer engagement associates/soil sample scientists for the startup. Both students are looking to use this experience to further explore research careers in agtech.

 

WOMEN WHO LEAD

In addition to the firms that are providing employment opportunities for women, many of the startups housed at the Center—including the founders of Trace Genomics—are demonstrating the success women can have as leaders in agtech.

Another female leader, Diane Wetherington, CEO at iFood Decision Sciences, has been at the forefront of the startup’s inception in 2013. Under her leadership, the company has moved the needle on streamlining food safety data for growers, harvesters, shippers, packers, third-party suppliers and processors. The company has already partnered with multiple ag organizations to further bolster the industry’s food safety efforts and continues to develop new products to advance agtech.

Jessica Gonzalez, co-founder of HeavyConnect, is also an inspiration to her team. As the chief technology officer, she is in the field, tackling the tech end of the company and helping to manage the team of teach developers.

Western Growers and its Center for Innovation & Technology will continue to provide programming, resources and hands-on support to the agtech startups that are developing solutions to agriculture’s most pressing issues. We will work closely with these companies and the industry to make strides in diversifying the ag and tech workforce, significantly increasing the “30 percent” statistic.

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