Vote Online for 2019-2020 WG Board of Directors

June 6th, 2018

Nomination ballots to elect Western Growers Board of Directors to a two-year term encompassing 2019 and 2020 will be emailed to all regular members on June 11, 2018. This is a new electronic balloting process and members are encouraged to complete their electronic ballot promptly on or before June 22, 2018. 

As a regular member of Western Growers, your participation in the process of electing the Board of Directors is critical to our continued relevancy and influence. It is through your involvement in this process that board members are elected to serve your district and the entire membership on the key issues facing our industry. 

Every other year, in accordance with the Western Growers’ bylaws, all regular members receive a nomination ballot. The nomination ballot lists prospective candidates from a member’s respective district for inclusion on the official ballot. Once the nominations are tabulated from the Western Growers Audit Committee review, the official ballot will be emailed to you in September to complete your vote for the allotted seats on the 2019-2020 Western Growers Board of Directors.

Western Growers’ new secure online voting platform focuses on privacy, security and verifiability—all of which are paramount to hosting an honest election.

If you have any questions regarding the election process, please contact Kim Sherman at (949) 885-2265.

St. Agnes Medical Center Terminates Anthem Blue Cross Contract

June 12th, 2018

Anthem Blue Cross has alerted Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) that St. Agnes Medical Center in the Fresno region has terminated its contract. As of May 31, 2018, St. Agnes Medical Center was no longer considered “in-network.”

Please note that WGAT participants who receive care at St. Agnes Medical Center may be subject to greater financial liability as this facility will be considered an out-of-network provider. 

The following is a list of alternate participating general acute care hospitals within the same vicinity as St. Agnes Medical Center:

  • Madera Community Hospital — 1250 E. Almond Avenue, Madera, CA 93637
  • Clovis Community Hospital — 2755 Herndon Avenue, Clovis, CA 93611
  • Community Medical Center Fresno — 2823 Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93721
  • Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital — 15 E. Audubon Drive, Fresno, CA 93720
  • Fresno Surgical Hospital — 6125 N. Fresno Street, Fresno, CA 93710

For a complete list of contracting hospitals within Anthem’s network, as well as ambulatory surgical centers and other ancillary facilities, please visit Anthem’s website.

WGAT realizes that there may be continuity of care concerns for members. Please advise us if you are currently pregnant, undergoing a course of treatment, have an authorization for health care services or are otherwise concerned about disruption of treatment. You may be eligible for transition assistance to ensure continuity of care.

WGAT will continue to provide coverage to all members for emergency services provided at any hospital, including St. Agnes Medical Center. WGAT’s customer service staff is available to answer any questions or assist with transition of care matters at (800) 777-7898.

Bloggers Visit WG Members to Connect Food with Farmers

June 12th, 2018

On June 8, Western Growers and California Farm Water Coalition hosted a farm tour where four bloggers visited ag operations throughout Monterey County to learn what it takes to feed a nation. These lifestyle, mommy and food bloggers had the opportunity to hear about the labor challenges facing agriculture, learn about innovation being developed to help solve the industry’s most pressing issues, see how food gets from the field to the store and interact with the family farmers who grow the food they feed their children every day.

The day kicked off at Tanimura & Antle, where the bloggers saw artisan lettuce being harvested and packed in the field. They also received a live demonstration of PlantTape to learn more about the automation and innovation that is occurring as a result of a dwindling labor market.

Mission Ranches then explained how kale, cauliflower and sugar snap peas are grown and harvested. Additionally, Mission Ranches’ Brent McKinsey shared his personal journey into ag, highlighting the fact that most farms throughout the Unites States are family owned and operated.

For lunch, the bloggers enjoyed a meal at the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) where they received an AgTech 101. They heard from WGCIT Lead Dennis Donohue about the importance of agtech in such a challenging regulatory climate and the advancements the industry has made in technology and innovation. Two start-up companies, Concentric Power and Food Origins, explained the importance of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) in ag, as well as described how each of their tech will advance the industry. To bring it home, Kate Hitchcock of American Farms shared how technology is being used in their fields.

Sierra Farms showed the bloggers how strawberries are harvested and explained the programs created to enrich the lives of their workers, including offering healthcare to farmworkers, hosting employee appreciation days and having dedicated spaces for new mothers to rest and feed. Sierra Farms’ Jackie Vasquez also shared her experiences being a woman in ag and spoke about the progress being made for the advancement of women in the industry.

The day culminated with a visit to Taylor Farms’ salad processing plant, where the bloggers participated in an extensive tour to learn about value-added products, investments in processing automation and the importance of sustainability. In addition to seeing how snack/party trays and packaged salads are assembled, the bloggers had the opportunity to see how the operation is a “no-waste” facility.

The blogger tour was a collaboration between Western Growers and the California Farm Water Coalition aimed at bridging the gap between consumers and the source of their food supply. Each blogger has an expansive following and significant influence with consumers. Click here to see photos from the tour.  

To read their blogs, visit: https://somedayilllearn.com; http://www.acraftyspoonful.com; https://mamaknowsitall.com; http://morethanthursdays.com/.

Western Growers Launches First Podcast – Voices of the Valley

June 21st, 2018

Western Growers has launched ‘Voices of the Valley,’ a new podcast where Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology Lead Dennis Donohue interviews leaders in agricultural technology and innovation. Voices of the Valley is now available on iTunes – Apple Podcasts and Google Play Music.

The Center works with farmers, entrepreneurs, educators and technologists to provide new solutions for today and tomorrow’s challenges—all of whom will be interviewed on the show. Each episode will explore what’s challenging and new in agricultural innovation.

Voices of the Valley is previewed on 1490 AM/104.9 FM KRKC Country Monday – Friday at 7:50am PST in three-minute snippets. The full interviews can be heard on the Voices of the Valley podcast. To date, episodes include interviews with Sean Duncan of Duncan Family Farms; Kevin France of SWIIM Systems; Colby Pereira of Costa Farms; Robert McBride of Boost Biomes; Drew Ketelsen of HMC Farms; and Patrick Zelaya of HeavyConnect. New episodes will be posted on Mondays.

HOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST

On Apple:

  • Go to the App Store
  • Search for Apple Podcasts
  • Download the App
  • Open the Apple Podcasts App
  • Search for Voices of the Valley
  • Click the show’s icon
  • Click Subscribe

On Android:

  • Go to Google Play
  • Search for Google Play Music
  • Download the App
  • Open the Google Play Music App
  • Search for Voices of the Valley
  • Click the show’s icon
  • Click Subscribe

Episodes are also available at https://soundcloud.com/westerngrowers. For questions on the podcast or issues downloading the podcast, contact Stephanie Metzinger at (949) 885-2256.

St. Agnes Medical Center Re-instates Contract with Anthem Blue Cross

June 21st, 2018

After announcing the termination weeks ago, St. Agnes Medical Center has reached an agreement with Anthem Blue Cross to re-instate its contract. This went into effect on June 1, 2018, and will remain in place until a new multi-year agreement is finalized.

Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) has rescinded the termination communication that they were sending to impacted participants. All claims related to this facility will continue to be paid according to your benefit plan, and participants that were scheduled to seek services at this facility may continue to do so uninterrupted.

Contact WGAT’s customer service staff with any questions at (800) 777-7898.

Electronic Logging Device (ELD) and Federal Government guidance for produce

June 6th, 2018

Many of you that subscribe to the bi-monthly Produce Insights have no doubt been following the ELD mandate and the impact to transporting produce over the past several months, which was first reported in the then titled Tommy O Blog on November 22, 2017.

While Western Growers over the last six months has been reporting on the ELD implementation through our Spotlight, since some of you may not be subscribed to that particular newsletter, we thought it appropriate to make sure everyone is brought up to date on the final guidance published by the Federal Motor Carrier Administration. Below, we are reprinting an article, which is taken from the Western Growers Spotlight released on May 31, 2018.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has issued regulatory guidance today to clarify the applicability of the “Agricultural Commodity” exception with the “Hours of Service of Drivers.”

The guidance clarifies the exception with regard to:

  • Drivers operating unladen vehicles traveling either to pick up an agricultural commodity or returning from a delivery point to original origin.
  • Drivers engaged in trips beyond 150 air-mile from the source of the agricultural commodity.
  • Determining the “source” of agricultural commodities under the exemptions.
  • How the exception applies when agricultural commodities are loaded at multiple sources during a trip.

The FMCSA now states that the agricultural exception should apply to all portions of a round trip involving agricultural commodities that occur within the 150 air-mile radius of the source, regardless if loaded or empty or whether the destinations is outside the allotted radius.

The FMCSA now states that the “source” of an agricultural commodity includes more than just the original location at the edge of the farm or field. The FMCSA recognizes that further regulatory guidance may be necessary as the industry and enforcement communities adjust to these clarifications. The pick-up location may be any intermediate storage or handling location away from the original source at the farm or field provided the commodity retains its original form and is not significantly changed by any processing or packing.

Regarding multiple pick-up points, the FMCSA states that while multi pick-ups are permissible, the 150 air-mile radius will continue to be measured from the first pick up.

Click here to read the complete guidance issued by FMCSA.

In addition, please find attached a one page highlight of the guidance for your easy review (click here). We encourage you to work closely with your carriers and/or third party intermediary in coordinating shipments and for consistent application of this final federal guidance. We anticipate, like with any new federal government guidance, that education with all States to ensure uniform enforcement may take weeks. You may want to consider providing the one page FMCSA information sheet link attached to educate carriers and that they have a document to share with law enforcement when operating under the agriculture exemption.

For questions, please contact Ken Gilliland at [email protected], or (949) 885-2267 or Matt McInerney at [email protected] or (949) 885-2263.

Action on California Drinking Water Tax Postponed

June 12th, 2018

California Governor Jerry Brown, Legislative leadership and a bipartisan group of legislators last week dropped the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund as part of this year’s budget bill, but indicated that they will continue work on it through the summer. According to the Governor’s Department of Finance spokesperson H.D. Palmer, “The Legislature has indicated a commitment to continue discussions this summer. They recognize that this is a very important issue that will take some more time to work through.”

The Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund proposes a modest fee that will be assessed on agriculture as well as on urban and commercial water users to provide replacement drinking water for disadvantaged communities statewide and ensure that all Californians have access to safe and affordable drinking water. The legislation (SB 623-Monning) would also protect farmers who are in compliance with Irrigated Lands Program requirements from enforcement actions by the state and regional water boards related to nitrate contamination in drinking water. That bill passed the state Senate last year and currently sits in the Assembly awaiting a floor vote.

For more information on the Safe and Affordable Drinking Water Fund, read the “Address state’s drinking water crisis while protecting farming” op-ed in Sacramento Bee, watch the “Take Action” video on Western Growers’ Facebook or read the “Safe Drinking Water Bill Moving Toward Finish Line” story in the most recent edition of WG&S Magazine.

AgTechx Comes to the Central Valley

June 14th, 2018

As part of Western Growers’ efforts to bring innovative technologies directly to growers, the WG Center for Innovation & Technology is hosting “AgTechx – Harris Ranch” on July 10, 2018.

AgTechx – Harris Ranch will feature educational forums and robust networking opportunities while showcasing cutting-edge innovations for the agricultural community. It will also include an engaging keynote address from a notable tech leader in Silicon Valley.

Activities and highlights include:

  • 3 Panels and Discussions on:
    • Central Valley Ag Challenges
    • Automation in the U.S. and Abroad
    • Data, Connectivity and Broadband
  • Pitch Session from AgTech Startups
  • Networking
  • Lunch with Keynote Speaker TJ Rodgers speaking on The Digitization of Ag

AgTechx – Harris Ranch is part of the WG Center for Innovation & Technology’s key focus to bring agtech to your backyard. In February, WGCIT hosted “Innovation in the Imperial Valley” that brought growers in the Imperial Valley, researchers, technologists and entrepreneurs together for riveting discussions about future farming technology. A recap of the event can be found here.

EVENT DETAILS

AgTechx – Harris Ranch

Date: Tuesday, July 10, 2018

Time: 12:00pm – 4:00pm PST

Location: Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant (24505 W Dorris Ave, Coalinga, CA 93210)

RSVP: REGISTER HERE

For questions, please contact Dennis Donohue at (831) 594-4883.

New Kroger Payment Terms Conflict with PACA Trust Rights

June 20th, 2018

Kroger sent out a letter to shippers recently announcing their new August 1, 2018 standardized payment terms of Net 90 days. Accepting these new payment terms directly conflict with protection rights under the PACA Trust. Agreeing to any extension beyond 30 days permanently waives your PACA trust protection.

Under PACA, to be eligible for trust benefits, you must use prompt payment, which means payment terms of “PACA Prompt” or “Net 10 days”. Sellers can only extend those terms to a maximum of 30 days.  Anything beyond the 30 days will automatically invalidate your protection and rights to the trust provisions. When Congress enacted the trust provisions, it recognized the uniqueness of the produce industry and the importance of protecting sellers of fresh produce. 

The produce industry supply chain has benefitted from the trust provision since 1984. Any shipper’s best business practices mandate that you not waive trust rights, regardless of who may be requesting the waiver.  Also, if you have outside growers, you will remain liable to them for any non-payment. Based on those aforementioned reasons, it is recommended that you contact Kroger about your concern with the new 90 day payment policy.  

Please contact Matt McInerney at (949) 885-2263 or Ken Gilliland at (949) 885-2267 with any questions.

Misbranding is a violation of PACA and can result in a Breach of Contract

June 20th, 2018

What Constitutes misbranding?

Misbranding, in its most elementary form, is a misrepresentation of what is being sold and shipped.  As it relates to a sales contract, PACA defines it as a violation of section 2(5) to misrepresent by word, act, mark, stencil, label, statement, or deed, the character, kind, grade, quality, quantity, size, pack, weight, condition, degree of maturity, or state, country, region, of any perishable agricultural commodity received, shipped, sold, or offered to be sold in interstate or foreign commerce.”  So what happens if there is misbranding, even if it is inadvertent?  First, the buyer may have the right under the terms of sales contract to reject based on a breach of the sales agreement. Next, the responsible firm for the misbranding must make arrangements to correct the markings on the container prior to any resale. 

 Since there is now a breach of contract on the part of the seller, the buyer may elect to, rather than correct the misbranding, reject the shipment rather than go through the process of correcting the infraction.  This would mean that you will have to move the shipment to a location where corrective action can be taken to bring the shipment into compliance.  Generally, a wholesaler that you work closely with would be best suited to make the correction on your behalf, and then sell the shipment under a consignment basis.  In such a situation, you must properly document that the misbranding has been corrected.  That is best accomplished by making sure the wholesaler can document the correction by pictures or other means, dependent on the violation, ensuring that you can have documented proof.

What are the penalties for misbranding?

The PACA defines the misbranding violations as serious, very serious, or repeated and/or flagrant, depending upon on the circumstances of the misrepresentation. If informal settlement of a violation is appropriate, PACA will provide written warnings (no more than two for separate violations) and an opportunity to explain how preventative action will be taken.  A warning letter will include an explanation of the requirements of the Act and recommendations of actions that you must take to avoid future violations. After two violations, if there is a cumulative-record of violations within two years,  a monetary schedule of penalties are assessed and at a certain point, if the violations are repeated and flagrant, an administrative action against the violator is potential with the possibility of a suspension or revocation of the PACA license.    

Misbranding can easily be avoided by attention to detail with how commodities are verbally represented with the utilization of precise language, ensuring master shipping cartons are manufactured correctly and packaging material for value added produce are correctly printed.  Make sure that your company has an internal champion that is responsible for adhering to all the appropriate, State, Federal and International requirements.

If you have any questions, Ken Gilliland (949) 885-2267, [email protected] or Matt McInerney (949) 885-2263 [email protected].

Industry Push Back Against New Kroger Payment Policy

June 26th, 2018

Kroger sent out a letter to shippers recently announcing their new August 1, 2018 standardized payment terms of Net 90 days. The new policy directly conflicts with protection rights under the PACA Trust. Agreeing to any extension beyond 30 days permanently waives the PACA Trust protection for any produce supplier.

Since receiving this notice, Western Growers has coordinated a coalition of regional and national associations to encourage a unified push back against this announcement, with the goal being to garner as much public attention on this situation as possible. 

Although Kroger has since indicated “flexibility” for produce suppliers, it is in our best interest to urge Kroger to make an official announcement rescinding the policy with specific clarification stating the policy does not apply to fresh produce. Kroger plans to talk with suppliers about payment options, however, the only acceptable option is coverage under PACA Trust terms and payment consistent with those terms.

Western Growers views this request by Kroger as establishing a dangerous precedent and potentially the beginning of similar demands by other buyers. While WG is pursuing all efforts to obtain the only acceptable outcome, which is to have the policy rescinded, all fresh produce sellers need to show a unified stance in writing Kroger declining the 90-day terms as unacceptable. Together, we must do the right thing and strive to preserve the PACA Trust rights for the produce industry. 

If you have any other questions, please contact Matt McInerney at (949) 885-2263 or Ken Gilliland at (949) 885-2267.

U.S. Senate Passes Farm Bill by 86-11 Vote

June 28th, 2018

Today, the farm bill passed the U.S. Senate by a vote of 86 to 11. As part of the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, representing over 120 specialty crop organizations across the United States, Western Growers applauds the bipartisan efforts of Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Agriculture Committee Chairman Pat Roberts, Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, and members of the Senate in passing the Agriculture Improvement Act.

The Alliance strongly supports the inclusion of a new research program for citrus producers, increased funds for nutrition programs and the extension of many of the specialty crop provisions that were included in the 2014 Farm Bill, such as:

  • Specialty Crop Block Grants ($85 million/year)
  • Specialty Crop Research Initiative ($80 million/year)
  • Trade Programs including Market Access Program ($200 million/year) and Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops ($9 million/year)
  • Pest and Disease Programs ($75 million/year) and National Clean Plant Network ($5 million/year)
  • Food Insecurity and Nutrition Incentive Program (Increased to $250 million over five years)
  • Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Development Trust Fund ($125 million over five years)

Our coalition appreciates the value of these programs in supporting our industry and delivering nutritious specialty crops to consumers. Looking forward, we encourage leadership in both chambers to convene a conference committee in an expeditious manner. For agriculture and the jobs it creates, it’s critical that Congress completes its work before the current farm bill expires on September 30.

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is a national coalition of more than 120 organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. The Alliance was established to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crop agriculture and improve the health of Americans by broadening the scope of U.S. agricultural public policy. For more information, visit http://www.farmbillalliance.org.

2018 House of Origin Deadline Legislative Update

June 6th, 2018

The second year of the 2017-2018 California legislative session has advanced beyond the deadline for bills to be voted out of their house of origin. Listed below are several key labor and environmental bills that Western Growers has been actively lobbying this year.

  • AB 1745 (Ting, D-San Francisco) – Oppose

This bill would have placed a ban on the original registration of passenger and commercial vehicles having a combustion engine beginning on January 1, 2040. Western Growers was part of a large coalition in opposition to this bill. AB 1745 failed passage out of the Assembly.

  • AB 1913 (Kalra, D-San Jose) – Oppose

This bill would have unnecessarily made farm labor contractors who recruit for and employ H-2A workers also subject to California’s new foreign labor contracting law. Our state already has robust farm labor contracting regulations that are protective of farmworkers. Western Growers led a large business and agricultural coalition in opposition to this bill because it would be duplicative of existing law. The bill failed passage in the Assembly.

  • AB 2069 (Bonta, D-Alameda) – Oppose

AB 2069 would have required employers to provide a reasonable accommodation to employees who use marijuana for a disability or medical purpose. Employers would have been subject to litigation when terminating an employee who has created a safety hazard in the workplace. Western Growers was part of a coalition in opposition to this bill. AB 2069 was held in the Assembly.

  • AB 2613 (Reyes, D-Grand Terrace) – Oppose

AB 2613 would have added yet another layer of penalties on employers for both intentional and unintentional violations of the Labor Code. The bill would have also imposed personal liability on individuals working for that business for payroll violations, however minor and unintentional those violations might be. This bill did not come up for a vote in the Assembly thereby missing the deadline to pass out of that house.

  • AB 2841 (Gonzalez Fletcher, D-San Diego) – Oppose

This bill would have significantly expanded California’s paid sick law by requiring employers to now provide five days of sick leave instead of the current three. Western Growers was part of a large coalition of business interests in opposition to this bill. AB 2841 was held in the Assembly Appropriations Committee and therefore failed passage out of the Assembly.

  • AB 2946 (Kalra, D-San Jose) – Oppose

AB 2946 would have extended the statute of limitations for a person to file a complaint alleging workplace retaliation with the Labor Commissioner from six months to three years. This bill also contained a one-sided attorney’s fee provision that would have unfortunately resulted in incentivizing additional litigation. AB 2946 failed passage out of the Assembly.

  • SB 1284 (Jackson, D-Santa Barbara) – Oppose

SB 1284 will require employers with 100 or more employees to submit employee pay data to the Department of Industrial Relations. The bill does not consider the bona fide factors that explain wage disparities and therefore creates a false impression of wage discrimination or unequal pay where none exists. Employers will be faced with additional risk of civil litigation. SB 1284 passed out of the Senate and will now be heard in the Assembly.

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

Two Workshops Available in September on Listeria Best Practices

June 13th, 2018

Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the next Listeria monocytogenes Intervention & Control Workshop in Fresno and Monterey, California, in September. Western Growers has partnered with United Fresh Produce Association and Produce Marketing Association to offer these two workshops. In addition, the California Fresh Fruit Association is joining the partnership for the Fresno workshop. These workshops have been specifically designed for the produce industry.

During this 1.5 day event, attendees will learn from FDA, academia and industry experts in general sessions on sanitary design, sanitation best practices and environmental monitoring. The agenda includes breakout sessions, panel discussions, case studies and more.

If you’re a packinghouse or fresh-cut operation’s quality assurance, food safety, sanitation, production, operations, maintenance and/or engineering staff member, you won’t want to miss this event. Seating is limited and Western Growers members qualify for a reduced rate.

EVENT INFORMATION

Listeria Monocytogenes Intervention & Control Workshop

Dates & Locations:

Seaside

  • Thursday, September 13 (8:00 a.m.) – Friday, September 14, 2018 (3:00 p.m. PST)
  • Embassy Suites Monterey Bay (1441 Canyon Del Rey Blvd., Seaside, CA 93955)
  • CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Fresno 

  • Tuesday, September 11 (8:00 a.m.) – Wednesday, September 12, 2018 (3:00 p.m. PST)
  • Fresno State University (2625 E. Matoian Way, Fresno, CA 93740)
  • CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Cost:

  • $750: Members of Western Growers, United Fresh and PMA
  • $995: Non-Members

*cost includes breakfast and lunch, as well as an open bar reception after the first day

For more information or questions about registration and sponsorship opportunities, contact Tressie Tillar, director of program support at United Fresh Produce Association, at (202) 303-3414.

Update on Votes on Immigration and Farm Bill

June 21st, 2018

The House voted today on conservative immigration legislation, which included President Trump’s four pillar approach to reform. After much back and forth, mainly due to the family separation crisis on the border, the partisan bill failed to garner support of the entire Republican conference and ultimately fell short by a vote of 193-231.

The House plans another immigration vote tomorrow on a “compromise bill,” which would couple $25 billion in border security funding measures with a pathway to citizenship for 1.8 million “Dreamers.” It is expected to be a close vote.

Additionally, the House moved their version of the Farm Bill forward on a very tight vote of 213-211. You may have seen in earlier reports that the House Farm Bill received no Democratic support because of aggressive language impacting eligibility for nutrition programs. As a result, all Democrats and 20 Republicans voted against the bill, creating a tight vote. The Senate is likely to vote on their bipartisan version of a Farm Bill next week. The vote in the Senate is expected to move more quickly and without interruption.

Four Technology Startups Chosen to Compete for $250,000 Minimum Investment in Inaugural Ag Automation Competition

June 5th, 2018

IRVINE, Calif. (June 5, 2018) – Western Growers and Radicle Growth have selected the four finalists who will be competing in the inaugural Radicle Automation Challenge for a minimum of $250,000 in investment capital and exclusive access to farm acreage to pilot their technologies. On June 26, 2018, these four agtech start-up companies will pitch their technologies to a panel of investors, corporate partners and agricultural pioneers who will decide whether and how much to invest. The winner will be announced during the pitch session and officially presented with an award later that evening during the Western Growers’ Innovation Showcase Dinner at the Forbes AgTech Summit.

The following are the four companies—who are developing technologies that improve on-farm efficiencies and inventing automation to help relieve agriculture’s labor shortage—selected to compete in the Radicle Automation Challenge:

  • Augean Robotics: Augean Robotics builds Burro, a robot that follows pickers and functions as a virtual conveyor belt between pick points and collection points, allowing hand pickers to pick continuously rather than wasting up to 30 percent of their time shuttling produce.
  • FruitSpec: FruitSpec provides a highly accurate fruit yield estimation from the early immature green fruit stage when critical decisions are made.
  • Ganaz: Ganaz helps farms recruit and engage with their workforce. Using their growing network of thousands of farmworkers and their social media integrations, Ganaz lets farms recruit farmworkers with a few taps from their smartphone. Once on the job, farmers can get essential messages out to their workforce (like shift changes) and solicit feedback on working conditions to improve retention.
  • GroGuru: GroGuru has a 100 percent wireless underground sensor that is able to transmit from as far below ground as six feet. In addition, their transmission device can work with other sensors. Their wireless solution can instrument, monitor, collect and analyze data, and deliver real-time results for optimal soil and water management across all soil and crop types.

Western Growers and Radicle Growth are also proud to announce the judges panel who will be offering feedback, equity investment offers, acreage for use in pilot programs or a combination of the three. The judges are as follows:

  • Kirk Haney, CEO & Managing Partner of Radicle Growth
  • Arama Kukutai, Co-Founder and Partner of Finistere Ventures
  • Frank Maconachy, President & CEO of Ramsay Highlander, Inc.
  • Tom Nunes, Vice President of Operations of The Nunes Company, Inc.
  • Wendy Srnic, Research Director at Corteva Agriscience—Agricultural Division of DowDuPont

For more information on the Radicle Automation Challenge, visit http://radicle.vc/the-radicle-challenge/.

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. In December 2015, WG opened an agtech incubator—the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology—in Salinas, California to provide startups with the resources and mentoring needed to get their companies and technologies up and running. The Center now houses 51 startups. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on our Twitter and Facebook.

About Radicle Growth:
Radicle Growth is a San Diego-based acceleration fund that selects innovative ag and food tech startups for investment, ensuring that powerful, disruptive technologies reach their full potential. In additional to providing seed-stage capital, they provide a fertile environment for visionaries in the ag space, not just to grow but to flourish. Their proprietary platform is the only one of its kind in the agriculture industry, thus filling a huge void in the market by identifying the most innovative technologies and accelerating them with a range of value-creation initiatives. To connect and learn more about Radicle Growth follow us on Twitter and Facebook.

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Register for Western Growers Annual Meeting 2018 in Palm Desert

June 5th, 2018

Join us at Western Growers Annual Meeting in Palm Desert, California on October 28 – 31, 2018. The yearly event is a great opportunity for members to come together and celebrate the recent achievements of the fresh produce industry.

This year we welcome featured guests including:

  • Judge Andrew Napolitano  – PAC Lunch

Judge Andrew P. Napolitano is the youngest life-tenured Superior Court Judge in the history of New Jersey. He taught law for over 10 years before returning to private law practice and joining FOX News Channel (FNC) in late 1990s. He currently serves as the senior judicial analyst, providing legal analysis on both FNC and Fox Business Network. Napolitano is also the author of nine books on the U.S. Constitution, two of which have been New York Times Best Sellers.

  • Juan Enriquez – Genomics Workshop

Juan Enriquez is best known as one of the world’s leading authorities on the uses and benefits of genomic research. He co-founded Synthetic Genomics, a company developing breakthrough genomic-driven solutions for major global issues. They are not only focused on energy and chemical solutions, but a wide range of business solutions in human health, the environment, and food and water production. His company was a partner in the creation of the first synthetic bacterial cell. Enriquez has also coauthored several books about humans shaping the environment and changing the course of evolution.

  • Robert O’Neill – Chairman’s Lunch and Keynote

Robert O’Neill is one of the most highly-decorated combat veterans of our time and the author of the memoir The Operator: Firing the Shots That Killed Osama bin Laden and My Years as a SEAL Team Warrior. A former SEAL Team Six leader with the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, he deployed more than a dozen times and held combat leadership roles in more than 400 combat missions in four different theaters of war. He led the military’s most elite and was involved in our nation’s most important campaigns. Since leaving active duty, O’Neill is a co-founder of Your Grateful Nation, which provides individualized transition support for Special Operations heroes and their families. He is also currently a contributor to Fox News.

  • Mike Merchant – Changing Minds to Influence Results Workshop

Mike Merchant is a senior consultant for the Arbinger Institute. For over 20 years, Mike has facilitated workshops and keynote addresses for organizations internationally on the topics of leadership, performance improvement, strategic planning, and interpersonal relationships. He is also the president of ANASAZI Foundation, a non-profit and nationally accredited behavioral healthcare provider for youth, young adults, and their families. In 2004, Merchant developed the communication component at the heart of the Emmy-nominated “Take the Time to Talk” substance-abuse awareness and prevention campaign. He is the founder of the Outdoor Behavioral Healthcare Industry Council and currently serves as president-elect for the National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs.

  • Jon Dorenbos – Chairman’s Reception and Award of Honor Dinner

Jon Dorenbos played 14 seasons in the NFL and made the Pro Bowl twice as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2016, he competed on America’s Got Talent where he showcased his skills as a sleight-of-hand magician, placing third overall in the competition. Dorenbos has appeared on the Ellen show multiple times as well as on The Today Show. He retired from the NFL at the end of 2017. He is currently writing a book titled Life is Magic that will go on sale at the end of this year.

Click here for a complete list of events.

Full conference tickets are available until September 1, 2018 at the early-bird price of $995. Guest passes can also be purchased for $595. Don’t delay. Save $150 with Early Bird Registration today!

If you are interested in sponsoring this year’s Annual Meeting, contact Cheryl Wood at (949) 885-4798.

Online Ballots for Western Growers Board of Directors – Deadline June 22, 2018

June 14th, 2018

Western Growers Board of Directors’ nomination ballots were emailed to all regular members for the two-year term through 2020. Our new, secure online voting platform replaces the old paper-ballot system and focuses on privacy, security and verifiability—all of which are paramount to hosting an honest election. 

The nomination ballot is the first step in a two-part process. It lists prospective candidates from your district for inclusion on the official ballot. The official ballot will be emailed to you in September in order to vote to fill the allotted board seats.

As a regular member of Western Growers, your participation in the process of electing the board of directors is critical to our continued relevancy and influence. It is through your involvement in this process that board members are elected to serve your district and the entire membership on the key issues facing our industry. 

Please complete your electronic nomination ballot no later than June 22, 2018. 

For any questions regarding the election process, please contact Kim Sherman at (949) 885-2265.

Register Now for July 2 Food Safety Research Webinar

June 19th, 2018

Join us on Monday, July 2, for a webinar focusing on the latest food safety research findings and trends discussed at the recent Center for Produce Safety Research Symposium in Charlotte, North Carolina. This webinar will present a summary of the key food safety highlights from that event. Additionally, you will hear from our featured speakers as they translate key scientific projects into practical and applicable information for fresh produce growers and handlers.

Tune in to the webinar to share your own thoughts about food safety issues, solutions and trends you see. Don’t miss out, register now!

WEBINAR DETAILS

Food Safety Highlights: CPS Symposium 2018

Date: Monday, July 2, 2018

Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:20 p.m. PDT

Speakers:

  • Hank Giclas – Sr. Vice President Strategic Planning, Science and Technology, Western Growers
  • Susan Leaman – Vice President, iDecisionSciences

RSVP: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Participation is complimentary for WG members.

Fox News Senior Judicial Analyst Judge Andrew Napolitano to Address WGPAC Lunch at Western Growers Annual Meeting 2018

June 19th, 2018

Hear Judge Napolitano share his insights on the current political environment during our WGPAC Lunch on Monday, October 29, in Palm Desert.

Judge Napolitano tenaciously defends the natural law freedoms guaranteed by the Constitution. Famous for his candid remarks, signature wit, and personal anecdotes, Judge Napolitano is the American media’s most outspoken analyst of the legal system, most fervent critic of government intervention into personal lives and commercial transactions, and most passionate defender of the Constitution.

Early bird registration for Western Growers Annual Meeting is now open. Register today and save $150. Don’t forget to add the WGPAC Lunch – you won’t want to miss Judge Napolitano.

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Sponsorship opportunities are selling fast. To reserve your spot, contact Cheryl Wood at (949) 885-4798.