24 Hours with Tony Bova: Chemist turned entrepreneur, founder of mobius and winner of the 2019 AgSharks Competition

January 15th, 2020

Tony Bova’s fascination with renewable energy truly sparked when he and his good friend, Jeff Beegle, decided, on a whim, to participate in a startup pitch competition during their undergrad at the University of Toledo. The pair, who met in 2012 while conducting academic research for the State of Ohio, joined a team of students that came up with the idea to form a business that could install a set of buffer strips on farmers’ lands to give them the equipment needed to recapture fertilizer runoff with plants and turn those into biogas that could be used to power their facility. Though Bova and Beegle walked away empty handed, the competition gave them the “entrepreneur bug.” A few years later, mobius pbc was founded.

Today, mobius is on its way to achieving its goal: to create a world where there’s wonder in waste. The company, which is still in its inception phase, is currently developing technologies that convert unavoidable organic waste into much-needed products such as waste-based fertilizers, biodegradable seed and fertilizer coatings, and biodegradable mulch films and nursery containers. Using the $500,000 equity investment earned from S2G Ventures at the 2019 AgSharks Competition during Western Growers’ Annual Meeting this past November, Bova plans to bulk up his team and refine the startup’s solutions.

It’s not all about the agtech, it’s about the superstars behind it! Bova, 36, was kind enough to give us an in-depth look at his daily routine, how he manages his time and the unique way he is building his renewable chemicals and materials company—all the while pursuing a doctoral degree. Here’s a look at how he spends his average day.

8:30 AM – 9:30 AM

I’m not an early riser. My of most productive hours are from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., so waking up exceptionally early is not part of my daily routine. The first thing I do when I wake up is to take my two dogs out for a walk. My eight-year old German shepherd, Rogue (yes, like the superhero from X-Men), and 10-year old bulldog/beagle mix, Pepperoni, have an incredible amount of energy and enjoy all the scents, scenery and terrain that Knoxville, Tennessee has to offer. After getting some morning air, I review my calendar to see what meetings I have that day, any important phone calls I need to make and possible team outings that may be scheduled. I receive about 200 e-mails a day so lining up my priorities and “must-do’s” for the day allows me to be most productive, while still meeting everyone’s needs.

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

I head out to our office space in Lenoir City (a suburban city in Tennessee with a population of about 8,600), which takes about 30 minutes. During my short commute, I like to listen to podcasts that get me energized about the day. Some of my favorites include:

·    Up First from NPR: NPR’s Up First not only gives me an overview of the latest news but it analyzes the biggest stories of the day.

·    The Daily with The New York Times: I like hearing the stories from the actual journalists who write the stories, rather than a host or commentator.

·    This Week in Startups by Jason Calacanis: Jason is an angel investor on the west coast who interviews a variety of entrepreneurs all at different stages of growth. It’s fun to hear what’s current in the realm of startups and gives me an idea of each of the cultures they have built within their companies.

mobius is located in a little agtech incubator space that we share with three or four other startups. Our space is unique in that we are working out of a farmhouse that was built in the 1800’s. It’s on 30-acres of beautiful historical farmland and our materials science lab is literally in what used to be a garage.

Though the entrepreneurial community in Knoxville is still rather small, they have been incredibly supportive, interested and invested in what we are doing. They have been integral in helping us build our network in the ag space and connecting us with farmers in the west coast, such as members of Western Growers. A misconception that I’d like to dispel is that there’s a lot of articles out there that make it look like the startups appeared out of nowhere and were an overnight success; but the truth is that success comes from a lot of relationship building that stem from support from the local community.

10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Every Monday, we have a standing morning meeting where our team of six provides an update on what occurred the week prior. This includes chatting about progress made in the enhancement of our proprietary, biodegradable plastic made from lignin (lignin is an organic substance that binds cells); exploring possible new technologies/solutions that will allow us convert waste streams into chemicals and materials; laying out each of our game plans for the week; and breaking down any challenges or road blocks we come across.

I then triage my inbox to make sure all I complete all urgent requests and go straight into a Kanban—our workflow management platform—to see if I need to work on any grants, meet with potential investors or head to University of Tennessee to meet with other researchers who can help us enhance our product. Prior to AgSharks, most of our funding had been through grants from the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, so staying on top of these grant applications are crucial for the success of our business.

1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

I don’t really take a lunch, aside from quickly eating a ham and cheese sandwich while working. However, one thing Jeff and I started doing with our team was hosting a journal club every other Friday. When it’s not too hot or muggy outside, the team has lunch together to discuss specific topics in new science areas. We all read a publication, break it apart, analyze it and as a group, see how we can relate and apply it to any research or activities that we are doing either personally or professionally.

We’ve been doing this for a few months now and have found that it not only stimulates new ideas that benefit mobius, but it is also a fun way to build team morale.

2:00 PM – 7:00 PM

The rest of my day is comprised of a combination between phone calls and deep work. The three biggest challenges we face as entrepreneurs at a renewable energy company are as follows:

1.  Science is very slow. We have to wait a long time to see if what we’re doing works. For example, testing the biodegradability of materials in the soil can take up to two years. We conduct lots of tests and it can take a lot of time to collect the data we need.

2.  Finding partners for field tests. Once we get these products tested, it can be challenging to find partners who are open to helping us pilot them. Growers face their own set of challenges, and we understand that helping us test out our products in their fields isn’t at the top of their list. We’ve quickly learned that being a part of innovation networks, such as the ones S2G and WG offer, can help us identify those partners so we are thrilled about this collaboration.

3.  Changes cannot be made quickly. Because so much science is involved in our technology, the planning stages are much more complex and extensive. If we were building software products or developing an app, we could quickly change the code. Rather, we are dealing with atoms and molecules so the development process is not as fluid as we’d like it to be.

With that being said, much of my afternoon phone calls revolve around solving these challenges. I am constantly on the phone with university partners who can help us with R&D and explore methods to help expedite science experiments without compromising the data. I’m calling commercial partners that could be interested in that R&D to hopefully get more pilots in the field. We also collaborate with various stakeholders throughout the supply chain, such as product manufacturers and growers, to learn about their challenges and needs.

Most recently, we were able to connect with Kroger who provided us a grant to develop a new technology that can covert cooking waste oil from the food industry into other biodegradable materials and chemicals. There’s a lot of “deep work” that goes into this project including extensive research and development, as well as engaging in numerous strategy planning sessions and meetings with our team.

7:00 PM – 12:00 AM

The early evening is dedicated to catching up with my fiancée, Dr. Mallory Ladd, who now lives in the Washington, D.C metro area after landing a job in Virginia as a research analyst for the Navy. Mallory also has a PhD in Energy Science and Engineering and is a great partner that supports my entrepreneurial ambitions and is one of the best advisors a CEO can have. She gives me great feedback to plan for meetings and pitches, and also helps me make sure I take breaks from work to talk about what else is happening in the world! After our phone call, it’s back to work for me! I’m finishing up my PhD in Energy Science and Engineering (with a focus on polymers, material science and chemistry) so much of my night is filled with research and writing. My plan is to wrap up in the spring or early summer, so I plan to use my new-found extra time to focus on building out three areas for mobius:

1.  Creating biodegradable containers. We’re hoping to perfect our current technology so we can offer biodegradable seed trays and growing propagation containers to the agriculture, horticulture and forestry industries.

2.  Replacing plastic mulch film. We’re looking for manufacturing partners to see if they can use our materials to make sustainable plastic mulch films. Currently, farmers use plastic film made from polyethylene—which does not have the ability to till into the ground after use. We want to create a product that can be biodegradable in the soil AND have the same effect (if not better) on the growth rate of the crop.

3.  Inventing biodegradable seed and fertilizer coatings. The current coating on seeds uses a polymer that does not biodegrade, and therefore, accumulates into the soil. We want to develop technology that creates a better and more sustainable coatings.

As a scientist, engineer and entrepreneur, my days are long but incredibly rewarding. The challenges that we face in the field are not just obstacles, but they are opportunities. Having the ability to be an entrepreneur is a privilege, and I’m excited to start this journey in such an honorable industry such as agriculture.

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Posted in WG&S Magazine, January / February 2020 Issue | No Comments »

From One Very Interesting Year to Another

January 16th, 2020

As I complete my 15th year with Western Growers, I am filled with gratitude and anticipation. On February 1, I take over as President and CEO. In just about every way possible, 2020 will be an unusually interesting year, and I am eager to jump in.

The last year was also unusually interesting, as I had the honor of being considered for this responsibility by a search committee comprised of 12 WG directors and Tom Nassif, our retiring President and CEO. To say that your elected directors took this duty seriously is an understatement, certainly from my perspective as a candidate. It was a grueling process, for all the right reasons. In this as in all things, your board of directors served the industry with integrity, sophistication and energy.

Elsewhere in this edition, you can learn a bit more about me. I have had the pleasure of meeting many WG members through the years, and I look forward to many more interactions in the months and years to come. Growing up in the suburbs, the only fields I knew as a kid were for baseball and football, so every visit to your farms and facilities brings invaluable new learning and relationships. Henry Ford said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young.” I intend to stay young.

This column allows me to share my perspective on important industry issues, challenges and trends, the good work of the professional Western Growers staff and the many contributions of our members. I hope to also spark you to contribute; to weigh in so that my colleagues and I can benefit from your experience, knowledge and views. Below this column is an email address; I’ll check it frequently.

Many people have asked about my priorities. Chief among them is advocacy. Western Growers was founded for that purpose, and the need for WG’s strong, unrelenting and effective voice in the public policy arena has only grown more critical. Certainly under Tom Nassif’s leadership, Western Growers has attained a high level of influence and accomplishment as the industry’s advocate, across dozens of diverse issues. Yet we must confront the reality that in too many issue areas, our industry is increasingly defensive and losing ground (literally and figuratively). We must rethink everything we do in our advocacy as we grapple not only with the urban domination of our legislatures, but also environmental and labor organizations whose vast resources and activist-driven agendas give them outsized influence over legislatures and regulatory agencies alike.

There will be much more to say on this, but be assured that the mission of advocacy is and always will be at the center of my focus and energies.

Another high priority is delivering the highest quality business support to our members, and pushing ourselves to evolve as our members’ needs change. As with advocacy, the business and consultative services Western Growers provides its members are aligned with our mission: To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members. These services were created to respond to the needs of our members, and every time a member chooses Western Growers—whether for health benefits, commercial insurance, workforce training, retirement planning and investment, H-2A assistance or our other services—that member is investing in the whole of Western Growers, from advocacy and food safety to trade practices, technology solutions and much more.

The Western Growers Family of Companies has grown considerably in just the 15 years that I’ve been part of it, now employing about 450 dedicated professionals. With our mission in mind, there is much to be proud of in this array of member-focused businesses, but I am highly attuned to the risks that come with such growth and success. No one in the Western Growers Family of Companies is resting on laurels, but even as we push ourselves to execute exceptionally well in our existing services, we must also stretch to see around the corner; to anticipate tomorrow’s problems and help our members find the best solutions. That sort of anticipation and responsiveness was the genesis of our investment in the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, which is delivering practical solutions to industry challenges with increasing speed.

This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of agriculture, and I share with so many the zeal to concentrate our minds and labors to realize the future we know this industry deserves.

Before 2005, I would have never imagined that I would dedicate myself so completely to the fresh produce industry. But isn’t that how it goes for so many? We make plans, and plans change.

As I embark on this most important journey in my career, perhaps this was the plan all along. All that I have experienced seems to have led me to readiness for this greatest challenge and opportunity. Indeed, I am incredibly fortunate to have found my home in the agriculture industry, and not whatever would have emerged from “the plan” of a young political operative from the suburbs.

Now, let’s get on with the work ahead.

To weigh in on issues of importance to your business and the fresh produce industry, please contact Dave Puglia at [email protected].

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2020 WG Chairman of the Board: Talley to ‘Embrace Change’ During Transition Year

January 14th, 2020

While incoming Western Growers 2020 Chairman of the Board Ryan Talley does not expect there to be sweeping changes under his watch, he does note that it will be a transition year for the association and some change is inevitable.

“I am very excited for Western Growers as we bring on board Dave Puglia as the new president/CEO. My role is to be as helpful to Dave as I can be during this year of transition,” he said. “I don’t expect there to be major changes but I also hate to say it will be status quo. We are bringing on a new chief executive who will have a different management style and will see things differently. I embrace change and know that Dave does as well. This is a great opportunity to see our issues with some fresh eyes.”

For his part, Talley will highlight the role small and medium size farmers play in western specialty agriculture and will pay specific attention to this sector. “I am not saying that this group has been ignored by Western Growers in the past, but it is the sector I represent and this a great opportunity to use my platform to emphasize this group,” he said.

“Medium-ish” is the descriptor Talley uses to describe his family’s operation. The company was founded in 1948 in Arroyo Grande, CA, by his grandparents Oliver and Hazel Talley. Hazel hailed from Canada while Oliver was a Central Coast guy who came back home after graduating from U.C. Berkeley. He was not a farmer by birth nor education but rather entered the industry simply because that is the path he wanted to follow. He first farmed in the Los Osos Valley, west of San Luis Obispo, before starting his own company in the late 1940s in Arroyo Grande, which is south of SLO.

Oliver and Hazel had two sons—Don and Ken—both of whom graduated from college in the 1960s and joined the family farm, which was producing row crops at the time. Unfortunately, Ken died in the mid-1970s while only in his early 30s, leaving behind his wife, Karen, and two young sons, Todd and the aforementioned Ryan.

Oliver was in control of the family business through the 1970s, though Don and his wife, Rosemary, took over more and more of the management responsibilities. “My grandfather retired in the early ‘80s but I remember him as a farmer. I remember bouncing along in his vehicle in the fields with the distinct smell of cigar smoke and dust in the air,” Ryan quipped.

He also remembers going to work in the family farm when he was as young as 12 years old in the mid-‘80s. By the late ‘80s, Don’s son, Brian, joined the operation, followed by both Todd and Ryan in the mid-1990s after they came home from college.

Ryan went to Purdue University, graduating in 1995 with a degree in finance. He briefly entertained the idea of taking a position in the Midwest with American Express, but proactively decided that he wanted a career in agriculture instead. He came back to Arroyo Grande, joined the company on a full-time basis and began his unofficial apprenticeship under the watchful eye of Don. Initially, he worked in various parts of the company, including stints on the loading docks and in the computer room. But gradually, he spent more and more time in the fields. “Don was in charge and he took it upon himself to groom me to step into the role he occupied as head of the row crop division. He gradually gave me more responsibility and when he had a heart attack and stroke in 2004, I was ready to fill that spot.”

Ryan acknowledges that like most young adults, at times he might have thought his upward mobility was moving a bit slowly. But in hindsight, he does not believe that was the case. “I couldn’t have planned my journey any better than the one that was built by Uncle Don,” he says. “It was perfect.”

Today, Ryan is in charge of row crops, brother Todd is in charge of permanent crops and cousin Brian is Talley Farms’ president. As an aside, Talley Vineyards falls under the umbrella of the family farm but it is owned and operated by late Don and Rosemary’s side of the family. Brian serves as president of Talley Vineyards.

Ryan said the growing, packing and shipping operation consists of about 1,500 acres of row crops. In addition, there are the permanent crops, which include avocados, lemons and grapes. The avocados and lemons are sold and marketed through third party companies, with the grapes, of course, forming the core of the wine business.

Ryan said it is a bit different having the company’s row crops centered in Arroyo Grande as the operation is isolated from other growing districts in California. There are two other farming families in the same valley but other than that, Ryan said he doesn’t interact with other growers on a regular basis. “Being isolated is both a blessing and a curse,” he said. “As a medium-ish size farm we can’t be on the cutting edge of technology…at the tip of the spear, so to speak. And with only two other farmers in the area, we don’t always see the innovation and new technology going on in the industry.”

He said keeping up with new technology is an important part of his job and one of the big advantages of being intimately involved with Western Growers. Ryan inherited that connection from his Uncle Don, who was very involved in the organization, along with Rosemary, for many, many years. Ryan’s first involvement came during the year Don Talley received the association’s Award of Honor in 2004.

He said another disadvantage related to the company’s location is its lack of access to labor. Santa Maria, which is 30 miles away, is home to most of the area’s farmworkers. “Why should they drive 30 miles to work for us when they can work closer to home,” he asked rhetorically. “I don’t blame them. So we have had to get very involved with H-2A utilization. We’ve been fortunate that most of the ranches we have acquired over the years in our valley have come with houses on them. Today we are utilizing all of those houses for our H-2A workers.”

On the other hand, Talley Farms has built an impressive array of permanent company employees that have been with the company for decades. He makes it a point to be in the fields as often as possible riding around with the various managers. “Some of these people were here when I was working for the company as a 12 year old,” he said.

Despite hurdles that need to be cleared, Ryan is optimistic about the continued leading role California will play in the specialty crop industry. “I’m a glass half full kind of guy,” he said. “Is it challenging (to grow in California) and are there more and more challenges than there once were? Most definitely. But farmers adapt. That is a very important aspect of who we are in California. And, in fact, that is a very important reason why Don before me, and I am involved in the industry. I want to be a participant (in change) not just a spectator. As chairman, I want to sit down with the people who are proposing changes that will impact us so they can put a face to farming and I can let them know how their changes will impact me.”

On the personal front, Ryan and Christina Talley have five children ranging in ages from 14 to 36. Their three oldest are sons—Byron, Grant and Elliott—followed by two daughters, Catherine and Caroline. Grant has joined the family business and is being groomed in a management position in the fresh harvest division, and is also learning as much as he can about organic farming. Byron is currently involved in a family business on his mother’s side, managing mini-storage facilities. Ryan said the three Talley members in his generation established a rule that the fourth generation had to gain experience outside of Talley Farms before joining the family farming company.

All of his five children have worked on the farm during summers since they were 12 years old, following a family tradition. “It was an important part of my childhood and taught me a lot of responsibility, including discipline and the value of the dollar,” he said. “Being in agriculture, we have a unique circumstance to pass that on to our children and we are doing so. My kids don’t come and ask if they can have money to buy a $200 pair of jeans. They know how many hours of work it takes to buy those jeans.”

For fun, the family enjoy outdoor activities such as spirited family tennis matches. Ryan has also introduced each of his kids to fly fishing and backpacking, two of his favorite pursuits.

Posted in January / February 2020 Issue | Comments Closed

Western Growers Urges Senate Action on Ag Labor Crisis

January 7th, 2020

IRVINE, Calif. (January 3, 2020) – With another dramatic increase in the Adverse Effect Wage Rate (AEWR) – the U.S. Department of Labor-regulated hourly rate agricultural employers are required to pay H-2A temporary foreign agricultural workers (and domestic workers in corresponding employment) – taking effect yesterday, Western Growers has joined the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) in calling on the U.S. Senate to address the agricultural labor crisis. The full text of the AWC letter is available here.

In conjunction with the AWC letter, Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

“In an era where many family farms are struggling to make ends meet, labor remains one of the most pressing – and expensive – challenges jeopardizing the future viability of U.S. agriculture. Today’s AEWR increase by the U.S. Department of Labor further strains the ability of American farmers to access and afford a legal, stable supply of labor to harvest our fruits and vegetables, and perform many other tasks on the farm.

“In Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico – which combine to produce two-thirds of all fresh produce grown in the U.S. – our farms have now experienced an average AEWR increase of more than 23% over the past two years; the AEWR already substantially exceeds the minimum wage rates set by these four states. As any business owner can attest, it is difficult to remain profitable in the face of such significant and repeated surges in labor costs.

“This unsustainable rise in AEWR costs has been remedied in a bi-partisan bill that passed the U.S. House of Representatives last month. The product of months of cooperative negotiations between representatives of major stakeholders, including both agricultural employers and farm workers, the House bill limits future AEWR increases, providing relief and certainty for American family farmers.

“Beyond the AEWR, the House bill also addresses two other key elements of the agricultural labor crisis: providing an earned pathway to legalization for existing workers and modernizing the existing H-2A system, making the program available for the year-round needs of certain agricultural businesses, including dairies, nurseries and mushroom producers.

“As the AWC letter states, the onus is now on the Senate to craft a companion bill that addresses the core components of the agricultural labor crisis and levels the playing field for American farmers. To be clear: There is no tomorrow, there is no next month, there is no next year. The time to act is now. In this spirit of urgency, we look forward to engaging with the Senate and producing a legislative solution that is mutually agreeable to Congress and the Administration.”

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 half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. 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 Tech Center and Concentric Power Co-Host Forum to Discuss Energy Independence with California’s Growers January 27

January 14th, 2020

SALINAS, Calif., (January 10, 2020) — The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) and Concentric Power Inc., an energy technology company deploying power solutions for some of the country’s largest grower-shippers, will co-host the first-ever Salinas Valley Energy Forum to help growers and fresh food providers from California’s agricultural regions maintain productivity and improve profitability through energy independence. The Salinas Valley Energy Forum will be held at the Taylor Farms Curious Classroom on January 27, 2020, from 8:30-11:30 a.m.

The Forum will provide insights into how the region’s agricultural industry can overcome the instability in energy availability, reliability and pricing currently threatening California and beyond. The Forum will feature a panel of experts representing energy developers, government agencies and solution providers including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Monterey County Farm Bureau, the City of Gonzales, Schneider Electric and Concentric Power.

“Energy is a huge part of farming. In fact, everything done after harvest requires power,” said Dennis Donohue, director of the WGCIT. “Our members provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, so it’s critically important we help them navigate the energy challenges currently facing the state.”

Following historic fire seasons that have bankrupted California’s largest energy utility and led to widespread Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) last Fall, unreliable and unstable energy is a major disruption to the agriculture industry. The cost of energy for ag companies is also unpredictable, having risen nearly 20 percent since the beginning of 2018 within the PG&E service territory.

“Technological advancements, business models, regulation changes and the low cost of capital have made energy independence a viable option,” said Brian Curtis, Concentric Power’s founder and CEO. “Many organizations simply don’t know that it can pencil out both economically and technically. With power shutoffs now happening year-round and utility rates continuing to rise, ag and other fresh food producers are finding that status quo is no longer an option.”

The Forum will be led by moderator Matthew Willis, vice president of product and business development at Concentric Power, and will feature Concentric Power’s Curtis along with Rick Sturtevant, state energy coordinator for the U.S. Department of Agriculture; Norm Groot, executive director at the Monterey County Farm Bureau; Rene Mendez, city manager for the City of Gonzales; and Gregg Morasca, vice president of strategic customers at Schneider Electric.

Forum attendees will learn:

  • What is happening across the state from an energy perspective
  • Local power options and solutions
  • How to execute energy projects at little to no upfront cost
  • How to invest in sustainable infrastructure
  • How Salinas Valley cities are improving and promoting economic development

 

About Concentric Power Inc.

With offices in Salinas and Campbell, CA, Concentric Power Inc. is a vertically integrated intelligent microgrid developer with a proven track record in agricultural, industrial, and community applications. A licensed Class A General Engineering Contractor, the company is focused on solving modern grid problems through its engineering, procurement, construction, operations and maintenance services. Concentric Power also employs O&M field technicians and works closely with their supply chain to bring world-class expertise, reliability and responsiveness to every project.  

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 half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. 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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CDFA Holding Town Hall Meeting To Discuss Produce Safety Research Opportunities

January 14th, 2020

In light of the 2018 and 2019 E.coli O157:H7 outbreaks, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) will be hosting a town hall meeting to explain the intent of a longitudinal environmental research study in California; identify leafy green growers interested in advancing what is currently known in food safety; and share details about grower participation in a research project with FDA.

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Time:  9:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Location:  Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office

1432 Abbott St

Salinas, CA 93901

Presenters: 

  • Natalie Krout-Greenberg, Director of Inspection Services, California Department of Food and Agriculture
  • Dr. Steven M. Musser, Deputy Center Director for Scientific Operations, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, U.S. Food and Drug Administration

 For additional information please contact: Lina Ngyuen at [email protected]

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WGIS Let’s Grow Roadshow Registration Now Open

January 14th, 2020

The WGIS Let’s Grow Roadshow team is back for 2020 and they are hitting the road for a second time with their very own training team. What is the goal? To bring you not one, but two relevant and exclusive topics – Leave Laws and Food Safety.

As previously reported in spotlight, Western Growers Insurance Services kicked off its “Let’s Grow Roadshow” last year, where WG staff travel around California and Arizona to provide mini-workshops on topics including human resources, insurance services, food safety, financial services and more. During the workshops, farming, food and agricultural professional have the opportunity to explore some of the industry’s most pressing issues and receive tangible takeaways that they can immediately implement at their respective companies.

Leave Laws:

The topic covered in this roadshow will be Federal and State Leave Laws. This training will discuss the Family Medical and Leave Act (FMLA), California Family Rights Act (CFRA), Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL), and New Parent Leave Act (NPLA). In addition, you will learn:

  • What is the Employer’s duty and obligation
  • Who is covered and exempted from the mandatory paid sick leave requirements
  • Family School Partnership Act (FSPA) / School visitation leave
  • Personal leave
  • Military leave
  • Bone marrow and organ donation leaves
  • Jury/victim & witness duty leave
  • Victims of domestic violence, sexual assault & stalking
  • How to initiate the interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations
  • Leave management and administration issues
  • How to take proactive measures to balance between employee rights and company needs

Food Safety:

In this highly requested food safety training, you will discover if your business is ready for a regulatory visit and learn more about the claims side of things, should a contamination event occur. Expect to gain insights from your peers while hearing more about the following:

  • When to expect visits from FDA or state food regulatory agencies
  • How to prepare for regulatory inspections
  • Resources that are available to you throughout the year
  • Recall and contaminated product policies including basic coverage and triggers
  • What to expect during the claim process

LOCATION & DATES: 

These two-hour trainings are offered at multiple locations, including the following:

  • January 29 – Sacramento, CA
  • February 11 – Indio, CA
  • February 13 – Yuma, AZ
  • March 10 – Yuma, AZ
  • March 18 – Sacramento, CA
  • March 24 – Imperial, CA
  • April 14 – Imperial, CA
  • April 21 – Chico, CA
  • May 19 – Modesto, CA
  • May 20 – Modesto, CA
  • June 16 – Oxnard, CA
  • June 25 – Oxnard, CA

REGISTER: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR A SESSION

If you haven’t attended an event before, the Let’s Grow Roadshow is a complimentary training event brought to you by Western Growers Insurance Services. No matter what your business does, or what your role is, you will be able to take what you learned back to your Human Resources, Financial, and/or Safety teams.

Join the team for a morning of learning, coffee, and pastries!

For questions, contact Nicole Daily at (949) 885-2341.

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Governor Ducey Kicks Off AZ Legislative Session with 2020 State of the State Address

January 14th, 2020

The Arizona Legislative Session kicked off yesterday with the State of the State from Governor Doug Ducey.  Similar to previous speeches to the Legislature, he laid out several innovative proposals he hopes to achieve in his 6th year as Governor.  

His commitment to ‘protect our ag jobs’ was duly noted as he spoke of the accomplishments last Session in preserving Lake Mead and his goal to make Arizona world renowned for water innovation.  There have been discussions about Arizona adopting California-style groundwater management and monitoring regulations, but Governor Ducey did not endorse this idea in his speech yesterday.  

He made it clear that he still believes there is work to be done to free the people from government overreach.  He unveiled a new Executive Order issued to reduce regulations by requiring government officials to identify three regulations to eliminate for every one new regulation proposed.  Along those lines, he promoted a bill being championed by Senator Ugenti-Rita to clean up the State’s Boards and Commissions.  The details of the proposal have yet to be revealed and WG staff will follow this issue to ensure that the critical agriculture boards and advisory commissions remain intact.

He announced a plan to increase technology in our rural counties by funding Rural Broadband Grants and broadband capability on the highways throughout the state.   He also voiced his support for a ballot initiative to ban sanctuary cities that is sponsored by Rep TJ Shope.  He emphasized his focus on the free market and allowing citizens to make their own way and finished by citing several values he dubbed ‘The Arizona Way’.

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Western Growers Statement on Signing of the U.S. – China Phase One Trade Agreement

January 15th, 2020

IRVINE, Calif. (January 15, 2020) – Western Growers Board Chairman and Partner at Talley Farms, Ryan Talley, was on hand at the White House today for the signing of the phase one trade agreement with China. Following the conclusion of the ceremony, Chairman Talley issued the following statement:

“Western Growers applauds the significant strides the Trump Administration has made in securing fairer deals for American farmers with key trading partners around the world. On the heels of other recent trade gains with Japan, Mexico, and Canada, the phase one agreement represents constructive progress in the effort to rebalance our nation’s trade relationship with China.

“While American farmers have borne the brunt of the trade war with China, with the overall U.S. exports of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts to China declining by double-digits over the past two years, we are optimistic that with the completion of phase one, and the future completion of phase two, U.S. specialty crop farmers will be able to achieve expanded access to, and financial gain from, this valuable Asian market.”

Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif added the following statement:

“The phase one trade agreement represents welcomed progress with China. We are encouraged by China’s commitment to make substantial additional agricultural purchases above historical norms over the next few years, and eagerly anticipate the removal of trade barriers that have restricted exports of U.S. fruits, vegetables and tree nuts to this critical market.

“Additionally, we applaud the Trump Administration for securing resolutions to specific sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues, which will open up the Chinese market to commodities like avocadoes, blueberries, nectarines and potatoes. Looking ahead, we remain committed to supporting the Administration’s efforts to secure broader reforms to China’s SPS regime, which continues to stymie access for other U.S. specialty crop products.

“As the Administration already has its sights set on starting phase two negotiations, we are pleased that President Trump is delivering on his promise to negotiate better trade deals for American farmers, and look forward to fully realizing the economic benefits of this agreement for the specialty crop industry.”

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 half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. 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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January/ February 2020 Digital Edition of WG&S Magazine Now Available

January 21st, 2020

The latest and first 2020 edition of Western Grower & Shipper magazine is now available online and in print. This edition does a deep dive of industry leaders including incoming Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia as well as Western Growers 2020 Chairman of the Board Ryan Talley. Click here to access the electronic version of the magazine.

Some highlights from this issue:

Talley to ‘Embrace Change’ During Transition Year

While incoming Western Growers 2020 Chairman of the Board Ryan Talley does not expect there to be sweeping changes under his watch, he does note that it will be a transition year for the association and some change is inevitable.

The Fresh Produce Industry’s New Chief Advocate

Dave Puglia is a political veteran and public policy expert and now the leader of one of the most influential trade associations in agriculture. If you have never met Dave Puglia, his political acumen and unrelenting passion for influencing public policy will impress you.

Tom Nassif’s Tenure Celebrated at 2019 Annual Meeting

From the opening gavel of the on-site board meeting to the closing Award of Honor dinner, the 2019 version of the Western Growers Annual Meeting in mid-November had the underlying theme of celebrating the 18 years of service President and CEO Tom Nassif gave to the association.

People Got to Eat, and They Always Will!

U.S. Representative Doug LaMalfa represents California’s 1st Congressional District, located north of Sacramento in California’s Central Valley. Known as a champion for agriculture, LaMalfa is dedicated to addressing agriculture’s most pressing issues.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THIS ISSUE

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Salinas-Linked Romaine Lettuce Outbreaks Declared Over

January 16th, 2020

The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lifted its consumer advisory to avoid romaine lettuce from the Salinas growing region, which was in place due to recent E.coli outbreaks associated with romaine lettuce. The FDA and the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have been tracking three romaine-linked outbreaks, all of which are now declared over.

FDA’s traceback investigation identified a common Salinas-based grower between each of these outbreaks. However, romaine from this grower does not explain all of the illnesses seen in these outbreaks. Federal and state public health investigators visited several of these fields and took a variety of water, soil and compost samples. So far, the results of these samples have come back negative for all three outbreak strains of E. coli O157:H7. The FDA will conduct an additional, in-depth, root-cause investigation to determine how the contamination might have occurred and to inform what preventive controls are needed to prevent future outbreaks.

Click here for the FDA update

Click here for the CDC update

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Time is Running Out to Register for the January 27 Salinas Valley Energy Forum

January 21st, 2020

The Salinas Valley Energy Forum is just a few days away, don’t miss your chance to gain insight into the energy industry. The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) and Concentric Power Inc., an energy technology company deploying power solutions for some of the country’s largest grower-shippers, will co-host the first-ever Salinas Valley Energy Forum to help growers and fresh food providers from California’s agricultural regions maintain productivity and improve profitability through energy independence.

The Forum will provide insights into how the region’s agricultural industry can overcome the instability in energy availability, reliability and pricing currently threatening California and beyond. In doing this, WGCIT resident Concentric Power has assembled an expert panel of energy developers, government agencies and solution providers to offer insight on energy geared toward sparing businesses from the next outage and saving them money while meeting corporate sustainability goals.

Forum attendees will learn:

  • What is happening across the state from an energy perspective
  • Local power options and solutions
  • How to execute energy projects at little to no upfront cost
  • How to invest in sustainable infrastructure
  • How Salinas Valley cities are improving and promoting economic development

EVENT DETAILS

Date: Monday, January 27, 2020

Time:  8:30 AM – 11:00 AM

Location:  Taylor Farms Curious Classroom

150 Main Street, 3rd Floor

Salinas, CA 93901

Panelist: 

  • Brian Curtis, Founder and CEO, Concentric Power
  • Gregg Morasca, Vice President of Strategic Customers, Schneider Electric
  • Rick Sturtevant, California State Energy Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Norm Groot, Executive Director, Monterey County Farm Bureau
  • Rene Mendez, City Manager, City of Gonzales

Cost: FREE

REGISTER: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE FORUM

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Win a MacBook Air! Participate in the 2020 Western Growers Compensation & HR Practices Survey

January 28th, 2020

All members who participate in the 2020 Western Growers Compensation and HR Practices Survey will be automatically entered for a chance to win a 13″ MacBook Air. At the close of the survey period, on March 31st, one lucky winner will be chosen to receive this amazing laptop, courtesy of Western Growers!

WHY ELSE SHOULD YOU PARTICIPATE?

  • Exclusivity: This is the only compensation survey specific to the California and Arizona specialty crop industry and available exclusively to Western Growers members.
  • Data Specific to Your Field Workforce: The survey covers base pay, bonus, and piece-rate earnings for 22 jobs, and collects data regarding labor sources, H-2A visa programs, housing, and worker retention programs.
  • Easy Completion: Survey participation is fast and easy, with efficient online or spreadsheet options that can be completed at your convenience.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION?

Simply put; data that can help define and properly structure your employee programs. By participating in the Western Growers Compensation and HR Practices Survey, you can obtain relevant market data to use in day-to-day employment decisions.

Imagine having the ability to:

  • Analyze your overall labor market competitiveness: understand how your organization measures up against other employers competing for the same talent, as it relates to pay, health and welfare programs, H.R. practices, and employee programs.
  • Hire or promote an employee by understanding the range of what companies similar in size, business segment, ownership type, and location are paying for that same job.
  • Strategically consider pay raise requests: determine if the employee is already fairly compensated, or perhaps even worth paying an above-market rate based on the value he or she contributes.
  • Structure new jobs for your organization by gaining insight into the qualifications and responsibilities of what other companies require for that position.
  • Formulate your merit increase budget by identifying trends within the produce industry to remain competitive for top talent.
  • Make decisions about determining and adjusting your compensation mix. Does your organization put too much or too little pay at risk for your jobs? What percent of total annual cash compensation is delivered through an annuity (base pay) versus performance pay (incentives)? Market data will help you understand the role of incentives in total cash compensation and how they differ by job responsibilities.

This is your opportunity to tap into industry-specific market data and analytics to help run your operations and programs successfully and strategically. The Western Growers 2020 Compensation and HR Practices Survey is now open and offered only through Western Growers, for Western Growers members only. We encourage your participation in helping drive the standards of excellence forward across our industry.  

The 2020 Compensation and HR Practices survey is exclusive to Western Growers Members. 

CLICK HERE TO PARTICIPATE

Not a WG member? Click here to join. 

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Webinar: FDA’s Produce Safety Inspections Status – At a Glance

January 30th, 2020

Regulatory produce inspections are taking place to verify compliance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Produce Safety rule in the United States. These farm inspections are executed by 42 state departments of agriculture and 2 departments of health that have cooperative agreements with the FDA. The National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) plays a key role in supporting successful collaboration and communication between regulatory agencies (state and federal) and produce stakeholders. Our featured speaker, Mr. Bob Ehart – the Senior Policy and Science Advisor for NASDA, will be addressing the status of these farm inspections as well as providing an overview of current findings and learnings.

Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Mr. Ehart, learn more about this topic and take home key messages that could help you prepare for a Produce Safety Inspection. Register now!

WEBINAR DETAILS

FDA’s Produce Safety Inspections Status

Featured Speaker: Mr. Bob Ehart, Senior Policy and Science Advisor, NASDA

Date: Wednesday, February 19, 2020

Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM PST

RSVP: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, Industry Visionary and Founder of Frieda’s Specialty Produce, Passes Away

January 21st, 2020

Agriculture industry trailblazer and icon, Dr. Frieda Rapoport Caplan, passed away on January 18, 2020, at the age of 96. One of the first women to own and operate a business in the U.S. fresh produce industry, Dr. Caplan was responsible for introducing many new and exotic fruits and vegetables to the American consumer, including kiwifruit, which earned her the moniker, “Queen of Kiwi.” Her legacy, Frieda’s Specialty Produce, will be continued by her daughters, Karen and Jackie, and her granddaughters, Alex and Sophia. Her family will soon share the details of a Celebration of Life, which will be held on February 22, 2020.

To learn more about the life and accomplishments of Dr. Caplan, check out her In Memoriam published in AndNowUKnow. 

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Webinar Series: The Science of Whole Genome Sequencing: An Overview for the Food Industry

January 30th, 2020

Next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics are changing our understanding of the role of comparative food microbiology, from isolate identification and strain discrimination to more detailed genomic analysis aimed at predicting the antibiotic resistance or pathogenicity. In this webinar, Dr. Jonathan Jacobs will review the technical and logistical fundamentals of implementing end-to-end sequencing and bioinformatics analysis protocols for routine food testing and surveillance. He will also discuss the challenges in constructing and interpreting phylogenetic trees used for strain typing and outbreak surveillance. The presentation will summarize important differences in sequencing platforms, bioinformatics analysis platforms, common pitfalls encountered by newcomers, and critical requirements for building a cost-effective genomics capability that serves the needs of the organization and their stakeholders.

As previously reported in Spotlight, this series contains five WGS webinars, occurring once a month from January to May. After addressing the basics of WGS, subsequent webinars will focus on sequencing protocols, case studies, regulatory applications and novel applications of the next generation of WGS, such as metagenomics.

WEBINAR DETAILS

The Science of Whole Genome Sequencing: An Overview for the Food Industry

Date: Thursday, February 27, 2020

Time:  11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time

Speaker: Dr. Jonathan Jacobs, Director of Global Product Management and Genomic Analysis, QIAGEN

RSVP: CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

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Make Ag Tech Work For You at the 7th Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit

January 30th, 2020

Join premiere leaders in the Agriculture and Ag Technology fields of the Salinas and Silicon Valley as we kick off the Seventh Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit, “Making Ag Tech Work for You.” The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology will be joining forces with the Agricultural Business and Technology Institute at Hartnell College in collaboration with the Monterey Bay Chapter of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) to discuss the latest trends in Ag Technology.

During this two day event, through panel presentations and speaker engagements, attendees will explore topics such as crop protection, the future of farming, blockchain solutions, automation, big data, remote sensing harvest technology, innovation, food safety risk and more. You don’t want to miss this opportunity to gain insight into solving industry issues, register now!

EVENT DETAILS

7th Annual Salinas Valley Ag Tech Summit

Date: March 17- 18, 2020

Location: Hartnell College Main Campus, 

      411 Central Avenue Salinas, CA 93901

Agenda:

  • Tuesday, March 17: Kickoff your Summit experience with the President’s Opening Reception hosted by Dr. Patricia Hsieh, Superintendent/President of Hartnell College
  • Wednesday, March 18: The 7th Annual Salinas Valley Agricultural Technology Summit, discovering the latest trends in AgTech

 CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 7TH ANNUAL SALINAS VALLEY AG TECH SUMMIT

Currently accepting attendee registrations, exhibitor registration, and event sponsorships

Please contact Laurence London for additional information regarding sponsorships.

Please contact Marci Bracco for additional information on AgTech Exhibitors. Booth space is limited so technologists are encouraged to sign up early.

For the full agenda or additional information about this event, visit the Salinas Valley AgTech Summit website.

 

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