Editor’s Note: The next listening session has been postponed. Please check back for future opportunities to hear about this issue.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will be at the Prescott City Council 201 N Montezuma St, Prescott, AZ 86301 Suite 302 on Wednesday, April 12 from 3pm-5pm to discuss the proposed merger between the Kroger Co., parent company of Smith’s and Fry’s Food & Drug Stores, and Albertsons Companies, which operates supermarkets under the Albertsons and Safeway brands in Arizona.

Mayes has launched an anti-trust investigation of the proposed merger, and a series of listening sessions are scheduled for participants to hear directly from families and workers who will be affected by this merger. In the coming weeks, listening sessions will be held in Kingman, Tucson, Phoenix, Prescott and Yuma.

According to the Arizona Attorney General, “Thousands of employees will also wonder whether their jobs will still exist if the merger is finalized. And even if they remain employed, workers may have to worry whether their wages or benefits will decrease. Farmers and ranchers also fear that a consolidated supermarket giant might wield unfair buying power that would force them out of business in favor of corporate producers. I will fight to ensure that Arizona consumers, workers, and local grocery producers are not harmed.”

For more information about the Kroger-Albertsons merger, visit Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ press release here or Western Growers’ article Kroger-Albertsons Merger – Western Growers Submits Comment Letter to the FTC   or Industry Pushes to Block Kroger-Albertsons Planned Merger.

RSVP to the Yuma, Ariz. listening Session here.

Western Growers and Ventura County Agricultural Association invite member owners and Legal/HR representatives to participate in a webinar – AB 2183: What Can Farmers Expect in 2023. The webinar will take place on April 5, 2023 from 10 am – 12:00 pm PDT and will feature Rob Roy, President/General Counsel of Ventura County Agricultural Association and Jason Resnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Western Growers. This will help members navigate the changes to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Act (ALRA) that went into effect on January 1, 2023 with the signing of AB 2183.

This webinar will help agricultural employers understand the implications of AB 2183 and give practical tips such as the “Do’s and Don’ts” for employers before and during a card check campaign election; the “Ins and Outs” of Union Authorization cards; strike issues; and what supervisors can say and can’t say during a union organizing campaign.

This webinar is open and free to WGA and VCAA members.

Sign up for the AB 2183: What Can Farmers Expect in 2023 webinar here.

The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology is very excited to announce that version 1.0 of the Image Library is available for use by AgTech researchers and startups. Here is a short list of frequently asked questions (FAQs):

1) What is the image library? It is a tool to help reduce the time it takes you to do the R&D and initial prototyping work by providing a set of ready-to-use images for key specialty crops.

2) What crops are included? With the initial launch, romaine images can be downloaded here https://lnkd.in/gTG5EiC6 The next three crops to launch will be broccoli, iceberg and green cabbage. The images have been captured and annotation and tagging will finish in April. Each new addition will be announced.

3) How are new crops added? WG has partnered with Axis Ag and Farm-NG on the process to date, and we have a Farm-NG machine and Axis Ag playbook that can be used by University teams and local growers to help build it out to include new crops. Reach out to [email protected] to get access to the machine and playbook.

This resource is completely open source and available to use by all. Visit Github at https://lnkd.in/gCyUVCa3 to gain access.

Cal/OSHA’s draft standard for indoor heat illness is expected to be published on March 31, 2023. It is expected that the formal publication will be followed by a 45-day comment period, which will likely culminate with the Cal/OSHA Standards Board meeting on May 18^th.

Pending since 2016 when SB 1167 was signed in September of 2016, priority on the development of the standard was overcome by the emergence of Covid-19 and the associated Cal/OSHA regulatory activities. The Board has one year from the date of publication of the draft to act, after which time the process will reset.

Previously, a draft version of the standard was published in 2019, which included some provisions similar to the existing outdoor heat-illness prevention standard such as:

• A written program;
• Provision of water that is potable, accessible and free-of-charge to employees;
• Access to cool-down areas;
• Documented emergency response procedures;
• Requirements for acclimatization; and
• Appropriate training for employees and supervisors.

For helpful information or workplace safety training, including heat-illness awareness and prevention training, please contact Western Growers Insurance Services.

Western Growers Insurance Services is a full-service insurance brokerage offering a suite of insurance products and tailored risk management solutions to agribusiness and related industry members. For more information or assistance, please contact Ken Cooper, Director Risk Strategy for Western Growers Insurance Services, at [email protected].

The 2023 Salinas Biological Summit will take place on June 20-21 in Salinas, Calif. This premier event will showcase a rich schedule of speakers and demonstrations to provide the best platform for highlighting the innovations and solutions for improving soil and plant health.

Sponsorship opportunities for this valuable event are now available.

Being a sponsor offers the following benefits:

• Maximum exposure at the premier Summit devoted to the agrifood technology industry
• The opportunity for you to interact with the most influential figures in the fields of biological research and application
• The opportunity to participate in the excellent social program allowing you to network with colleagues, renew old friendships and foster new relationships
• High visibility on the Summit website and throughout official marketing material
• The opportunity to deliver a clear message that you have a genuine commitment to Growers and the agrifood technology industry
• Acquire highly qualified leads and increase brand awareness
• Meet the decision makers and gain instant market feedback

The following tiered sponsorship options are available:

Gold sponsors receive six delegate registrations, including sessions, morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch and Summit Delegate Receptions; three exhibitor staff passes (morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch and Summit Delegate Receptions), and an invitation to attend the Sponsors & Speakers VIP reception — number of tickets (4).

Silver sponsors get four delegate registrations, including sessions, morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch, and Summit Delegate Receptions; two exhibitor staff passes (morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch and Summit Delegate Receptions; and an invitation to attend the Sponsors & Exhibitors VIP reception — (number of tickets (2).

Bronze sponsors get two delegate registrations, including sessions, morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch, and Summit Delegate Receptions; and one exhibitor staff pass (morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch and Summit Delegate Receptions).

Exhibitor sponsors get one exhibitor staff pass (morning coffee, afternoon coffee, lunch and Summit Delegate Receptions).

For more information about becoming a sponsor, click here.

Visit the Salinas Biological Summit website for more information about tickets and hotel accommodations.

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes will be at the Catalina High School Auditorium 3645 E. Pima St., Tucson, AZ 85716 on Tuesday, March 28 11am-1pm to discuss the proposed merger between the Kroger Co., parent company of Smith’s and Fry’s Food & Drug Stores, and Albertsons Companies, which operates supermarkets under the Albertsons and Safeway brands in Arizona.

Mayes has launched an anti-trust investigation of the proposed merger, and a series of listening sessions are scheduled for participants to hear directly from families and workers who will be affected by this merger. In the coming weeks, listening sessions will be held in Kingman, Tucson, Phoenix, Prescott and Yuma.

According to the Arizona Attorney General, “Thousands of employees will also wonder whether their jobs will still exist if the merger is finalized. And even if they remain employed, workers may have to worry whether their wages or benefits will decrease. Farmers and ranchers also fear that a consolidated supermarket giant might wield unfair buying power that would force them out of business in favor of corporate producers. I will fight to ensure that Arizona consumers, workers, and local grocery producers are not harmed.”

For more information about the Kroger-Albertsons merger, visit Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes’ press release here or Western Growers’ article Kroger-Albertsons Merger – Western Growers Submits Comment Letter to the FTC   or Industry Pushes to Block Kroger-Albertsons Planned Merger.

RSVP to the Tucson, Ariz. listening Session here.

In its event debut, the National Agricultural Law Center is hosting the Western Agricultural and Environmental Law Conference on May 4-5, 2023 in Reno, Nev. at the Peppermill Reno Resort. Western Growers’ Dennis Nuxoll, VP, Federal Government Affairs will be participating in the panel Update from the Potomac: 2023 Farm Bill & Related Federal Issues on Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. to noon. Other participants in this panel include Randy Russell, President, The Russell Group and Katie Naessens, Vice President, Torrey Advisory Group and will be moderated by Sara Wyant, Founder and Editor, Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

This conference will address topics pertinent to issues the agricultural industry faces on state, federal and international levels. The National Agricultural Law Center notes that “this inaugural program is part of a long-term effort…to provide relevant and timely agricultural and environmental legal research and information to attorneys, lenders, land managers and farm appraisers, accountants, tax consultants, students, and other agricultural professionals involved in and impacted by the agricultural industry in the western U.S. The goal is to provide a premiere legal education program combined with networking opportunities that ultimately help strengthen the agricultural industry.”

A sample of other topics that will be covered during the conference include

• Veggie Wars: Legal Update on the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act & Related Produce Laws with Dale A. Stern, Partner, Downey Brand
• Running on Empty & Into the Sun: Legal & Political Update on the Colorado River Basin with James Eklund, Member, Sherman & Howard
• Moving Targets in Muddied Waters: Advising Farmers, Landowners, and Lenders Regarding Waters of the United States with Robert P. Soran, Partner, Downey Brand Nicole E. Granquist, Partner, Downey Brand
• Dividing the Waters: Focus on States’ Approaches to Groundwater and Recent Developments with Rebecca R. A. Smith, Partner, Downey Brand
• The Intersection of Estate Planning & Water Law with Therese Ure Stix, Managing Attorney & Shareholder, Schroeder Law Offices, P.C

To register for the event and see a list full list of the schedule visit the National Agricultural Law Center registration page.

Active Western Growers contacts now have access to the new Member Community Resource Hub.

If you haven’t received an email with your new member login information by March 1, 2023, please contact [email protected]. Previous login passwords to access resources on wga.com will no longer work after this date.

Western Growers members now have streamlined access to news, events and resources as well as a convenient storefront to purchase events, programs, services and more at a discounted rate. Non-Western Growers members may also access the Member Community Resource Hub to purchase these offerings at the standard rate.

The American Ladder Institute has designated March 2023 as National Ladder Safety Month. This event is intended to raise awareness of ladder safety and decrease the number of ladder-related injuries and fatalities. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!

According to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, thousands of ladder-related injuries occur in the workplace every year. Workplace processes and hazards should be assessed, and corrective actions implemented, to reduce the likelihood of injuries.  Here are some general considerations for the prevention of ladder-related injuries:

• Make sure the weight that the ladder is supporting does not exceed its maximum load rating (user plus materials).
• Keep your body centered between the rails of the ladder at all times. Do not lean too far to the side while working.
• Do not step on the top step or the bucket shelf or climb or stand on the rear section of a ladder.
• Always face the ladder when climbing up or down.
• Non-slip footwear should be worn at all times when on a ladder.

For more helpful information or workplace safety training, please contact Western Growers Insurance Services.

Western Growers Insurance Services is a full-service insurance brokerage offering a suite of insurance products and tailored risk management solutions to agribusiness and related industry members. For more information or assistance, please contact Ken Cooper, Director Risk Strategy for Western Growers Insurance Services, at [email protected].

By Ellie Amesse

Most people don’t think of the study of agriculture and the study of space as being related to each other, but this week’s Voices of the Valley guest, Megan Nunes, shares with hosts Dennis Donohue and Candace Wilson how space and agricultural technology work together. Nunes is the founder and CEO of Bountiful— a company that uses satellite imagery to provide data-driven insights to farmers.

Nunes grew up in an agricultural community, but while attending Cal Poly SLO she worked for an aerospace company. Several years out of college she started Bountiful, combining her passions for space and the agriculture industry.

“I have a dream job that I’m hoping will be created in the agriculture sector one day,” Nunes said. “I want to see an agronomist become a digital data scientist, where we’re able to look at agronomy from space.”  Nunes, Donohue, and Wilson talk about their hopes and dreams for the agriculture sector, as well as topics of climate, geography and how satellite technology has the potential to revolutionize the way we farm.

Click here to listen to this week’s episode.

In the first role of its kind within Western Growers, Jeana Cadby has accepted the job of Director, Environment and Climate. Jeana will implement strategic initiatives that support the environmental performance of Western Growers’ members. She will work to ensure that members have access to resources related to pressing issues like crop inputs, integrated pest management, water quality, soil health, resource conservation and climate response.

Having Jeana on board in this role with the Western Growers Science team means a greater advantage in promoting best practices for sustainability, climate adaptation, resiliency and risk management for Western Growers members.

Jeana has over 10 years of experience working in specialty agriculture, farmer advocacy and collaborative environmental program management. She brings to Western Growers her expertise in sustainable ag, fieldwork and resource conservation as well as her passion for building strategic partnerships and supporting our farmers.

In her previous work, she worked alongside growers, including enterprise, government, and NPO partners, on issues surrounding soil health, crop inputs, water quality and developing innovative solutions to bolster climate resilience. Jeana currently serves on the board of her local Resource Conservation District and has a B.S. and M.S. in Plant and Soil Sciences and a Ph.D. in Agricultural Development Studies.

Jeana can be reached at [email protected].

WG is pleased to announce a valuable new member benefit for 2023. In partnership with Agri-Pulse, each member company will receive one complimentary annual subscription to Daily Harvest West, an early-morning email capturing all the major food and agriculture headlines from key media outlets in the West and across the country. (This represents an $800 annual value.) Additionally, WG members will receive full access to news coverage on the Agri-Pulse website, the weekly Agri-Pulse e-newsletter and discounted or free admission to Agri-Pulse events.

Currently, WG is running a limited version of this program for a trial group of members. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive with an average daily email open rate of more than 65 percent. Now, thanks to the generous sponsorship of Rabo AgriFinance, we will extend this benefit to our full membership.

You will receive an email from Agri-Pulse the week of March 6 explaining the benefit in more detail and providing your log-in information. There will be an easy “unsubscribe” button if you would like to opt out of the subscription, but we encourage you to kick the tires a bit before doing that! Finally, none of your contact information will be used by Agri-Pulse for any purpose outside this program.

Please direct all questions or concerns to Cory Lunde at [email protected].

Agri-Pulse is one of the most trusted sources of news and analysis in the agriculture industry. In 2019, Agri-Pulse opened a Sacramento office with a dedicated team of reporters providing best-in-class coverage of Western agriculture and the fresh produce industry. WG is proud to support the balanced, accurate reporting provided by the Agri-Pulse team.