Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Commends Movement on Farm Bill

June 11th, 2024

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 11, 2024) – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has issued the following statement following the release of a farm bill framework by Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Boozman.

“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance commends Sen. Boozman for his contribution to moving the 2024 farm bill process forward today. The specialty crop industry plays a vital role in American agriculture and in supporting the health and wellbeing of all Americans. It’s imperative that the 2024 farm bill build on a strong record of federal investments in valuable programs and establish new and innovative tools to enhance the competitive position of specialty crop growers across the country. The status quo is not sustainable for America’s specialty crop growers, and seemingly small enhancements to farm bill programs could have a transformational impact on the specialty crop industry.”

The SCFBA further stated, “We are encouraged to see indications that Sen. Boozman’s proposal includes key investments for specialty crops and look forward to reviewing the details as they become available. We now urge the leaders of the House and Senate Agriculture Committees to come together and draft a bipartisan farm bill that can be signed into law this year.”

SCFBA is a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products. In early 2023, the alliance released a set of key policy priorities as part of its Farm Bill recommendations. Specialty crop production, including fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, nursery and greenhouse commodities, contributes significantly to the U.S economy, accounting for $64.7 billion in farm gate value and 30 percent of farm cash receipts for crops.

# SCFBA #

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance is a national coalition of more than 200 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 farmbillalliance.com. 

 

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Vendor Agreements: Ensuring Compliance with Maximum Pulp Temperature Requirements for Shippers

June 10th, 2024

If you, as a shipper, have a vendor agreement with a buyer that specifies arrival conditions such as maximum pulp temperature, then this blog is for you!

For example, your customer may stipulate that the product must pulp at 41°F or lower upon arrival for acceptance. If the product arrives with a pulp temperature above 41°F, the buyer has the right to reject it, with or without a USDA inspection scoring condition defects. When this occurs and your customer rejects your product due to elevated pulp temperatures, you must determine who is at fault and whether a claim exists.

In such situations, it’s often with a valued customer, and pursuing a claim might jeopardize the relationship. Therefore, the carrier becomes the potential party allegedly responsible for the high pulp temperatures at the destination. When analyzing a carrier claim, you must determine both the monetary damage and the physical damage to the product. You have two burdens: proving the carrier’s mishandling caused physical damage and demonstrating your monetary loss.

For the physical damage, it is crucial to secure a USDA inspection on the product as soon as possible. If the inspection reveals condition defects associated with elevated pulp temperatures, you have grounds for a potential claim against the carrier. However, if the inspection shows little to no condition defects and meets Good Delivery Guidelines, pursuing a claim against the carrier will be difficult. Even if you suffer a monetary loss, without evidence of deterioration due to carrier negligence, a successful claim is unlikely.

When shipping under a specified vendor agreement, you are usually dealing with customers who use preferred carriers aware of strict temperature requirements. Inform the carrier or its driver at the shipping point of the pulp temperature requirement at the destination.

If your product arrives with elevated pulp temperatures and is rejected, here’s what you should do:

  1. Obtain a Federal Inspection: Secure a USDA or CFIA inspection to report condition defects. If the inspection shows excess defects, you have a strong truck claim. If the product meets Good Arrival Guidelines, pursuing a settlement with the carrier will be challenging.
  2. Demonstrate Damage: You must prove the carrier damaged the product in transit to claim compensation. Without a federal inspection, it is nearly impossible to prove this, as carriers typically require evidence of damage.

Due to the increasing prevalence of such supplier agreements, consider making these sales Delivered instead of FOB. If a carrier claim arises, your customer will look to you to pursue it. Controlling the freight bill can give you more negotiating power.

By following these steps and securing the necessary documentation, you can better navigate the complexities of vendor agreements and carrier claims.

On a final note, I cannot over-emphasize the need to see the procedure through to the end, following these points:

  • Do not simply abandon or reject a shipment to the carrier and expect to be paid.
  • Working with the carrier to move a shipment for salvage sale does not mean that you are relieving the carrier from any potential liability.
  • Make it clear to the carrier that you are assisting in arranging a prompt and efficient sale to minimize any further loss for all concerned.
  • Always, always document every step so there is no misunderstanding.

If you have any questions or would like me to review your sales documentation, please contact me at 949.885.4808 or [email protected].

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Comment Period is Open for the Proposed Changes to the LGMA-Approved Metrics

June 4th, 2024

The comment period for the proposed changes to the LGMA-approved metrics related to harvesting equipment sanitation (Issue 8) and a small update to the water section (Issue 6) for alignment with the FSMA final rule on agricultural water will open on Monday, June 3 and close on Tuesday, July 2.

To submit your comments:

  1. Visit the Leafy Green Guidance website: https://www.leafygreenguidance.com/
  2. In the Home tab, scroll down to the “Submit Comments” section.
  3. Download the “Working Drafts” under Important Documents.
  4. To leave comments, use the Word function “New Comment” to provide details on how the comment will enhance food safety, along with the rationale behind the comment. Comments without rationale will not be considered.
  5. When you are ready to submit, please submit your document and additional information by clicking the “Submit a Comment” button. This will take you to a form where you can attach a new version of the working draft with your comments.

On July 11 at 1 p.m. PT, Western Growers will host a web discussion surrounding all submissions received during the Harvesting Equipment Sanitation comment period. During the web discussion, proposed changes to the LGMA-approved metrics will be publicly presented by the corresponding submitter with open dialogue allowed for all attendees.

If you have questions, please contact Gustavo Reyes at [email protected].

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Western Growers Files Amicus Brief in Support of Wonderful Nurseries

June 6th, 2024

Today, Western Growers Association, alongside ten other associations, filed an amicus curiae brief in support of Wonderful Nurseries LLC’s motion for a preliminary injunction against the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) and the United Farm Workers of America. The motion seeks to halt the implementation of new labor regulations that will likely disrupt farming operations across California.

The crux of the dispute revolves around Section 1156.37 of the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, which was enacted in 2023. This section eliminated the requirement for secret ballot elections in the union certification process, a change that affects hundreds of thousands of farmworkers and thousands of farms in California. The coalition contends that this new process undermines the fundamental right of workers to freely choose their representation and exposes farms to potential chaos and legal uncertainties. 

The brief highlights the importance of secret ballot elections in ensuring a fair and constitutionally sound process for determining union representation. It cites past legal precedents, including the 2018 Gerawan Farming decision, which underscored the significance of protecting workers’ rights through secret ballots. The brief argues that suspending the new certification process is necessary to address its constitutional flaws and to prevent widespread disruptions in the agricultural sector. 

As the case progresses, it is expected to draw considerable attention from both employers and employees in the agricultural industry, with potential implications for labor practices and farm operations across the state. 

In addition to Western Growers, the following organizations signed onto the Amicus Brief: 

  • California Farm Bureau Federation 
  • Agricultural Council of California 
  • California Fresh Fruit Association 
  • California Citrus Mutual 
  • Western Agricultural Processors Association 
  • Grower-Shipper Association of Central California 
  • Grower-Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties 
  • California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association 
  • California Association of Winegrape Growers 
  • Ventura County Agricultural Association 

The amicus brief was authored by Bruce A Wessel, Partner Emeritus at Irell & Manella LLP. 

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Week 3 of National Safety Month: Risk Reduction

June 7th, 2024

In agricultural work, productivity and safety intertwine and proactive hazard identification emerges as a critical component of sustainable growth and employee well-being.

Embracing Proactive Hazard Identification: Proactive hazard identification entails a forward-thinking approach to recognizing potential risks before they escalate into accidents or injuries. In the agricultural sector, where employees contend with diverse hazards, such as machinery operation, chemical exposure and environmental elements, proactive identification serves as a proactive shield against harm.

Anticipating Risks: Employers must acknowledge that risks in their workplaces can manifest in multifaceted forms, from equipment malfunctions to ergonomic strains and environmental challenges. By proactively identifying these risks, employers can preemptively implement measures to control or eliminate them, mitigating their impact on employee safety.

Benefits of Early Intervention: The proactive identification of hazards empowers employers to take timely action, curbing the likelihood of workplace incidents. This not only safeguards employees’ health and well-being but also fortifies operational continuity and shields against financial losses stemming from accidents or disruptions.

Nurturing a Safety Culture: Instilling a culture of safety begins with proactive hazard identification. By encouraging employees to actively engage in hazard reporting and mitigation efforts, agricultural employers foster an environment where safety is ingrained as a shared responsibility and a fundamental value.

Strategies for Effective Risk Reduction: Employers can employ various strategies to enhance proactive hazard identification and risk reduction in agricultural settings. These include conducting regular workplace inspections, conducting comprehensive hazard assessments, providing ongoing safety training and fostering open communication channels.

Western Growers Insurance Services is a full-service insurance brokerage offering a suite of insurance 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].

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June has been designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council. This event is intended to increase awareness of workplace safety topics and reinforce our collaborative responsibility to keep each other safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!

This article is one of a four-part, weekly series following the topics designated for National Safety Month.  The topics are:

Week 1: Safety Engagement – Cultivating a positive safety culture through employee engagement can create an environment where safety is inherent in every task.   

Week 2: Roadway Safety – Prioritize roadway safety with strategic tips to mitigate the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of employees and other road users.

Week 3: Risk Reduction – Proactive identification of risks and hazards foster a safer work environment.

Week 4: Slips, Trips and Falls – A frequent cause of significant workplace injury and associated costs, these types of incidents are often preventable. 

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Colorado is Jumping on the AI Regulatory Bandwagon

June 6th, 2024

The advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) has prompted state and federal agencies – at all levels – to initiate regulatory efforts and guidelines aimed at balancing innovation with workplace safeguards. A major concern across all regulatory agencies is the potential for inadvertent discriminatory practices.  

Automated decision-making systems — which may rely on algorithms or AI — are increasingly used in employment settings to facilitate a wide range of decisions related to job applicants or employees, including recruitment, hiring, and promotion. While such tools provide myriad benefits, they can also exacerbate existing biases and contribute to discriminatory outcomes (e.g., AI tool that rejects women applicants by mimicking the existing features of a company’s male-dominated workforce or a job advertisement delivery system that reinforces gender and racial stereotypes by directing certain jobs to women or workers of color). 

Over the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting a few of the key regulatory schemes and guidelines impacting an employer’s use of AI and other automated decision-making technologies when making employment-related decisions.  

Colorado’s SB 24-205: Consumer Protections in Interactions with Artificial Intelligence Systems: 

On May 17, 2024, Colorado passed the first state law offering consumer protection from harm resulting from the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI). The newly enacted law imposes a duty on Colorado employers to protect consumers (including employees) from any known or reasonably foreseeable risks of algorithmic discrimination. The new regulations apply to “high-risk AI systems” which includes AI systems that make or are a substantial factor in making employment-related decisions.i Identifying employers as ‘deployers’ of AI, the statute focuses on these key compliance areas: 

  • Risk-management:  Deployers must adopt a risk-management policy and program meeting certain defined criteria. The policy and program must be reasonable in accordance with statutory guidelines, regularly reviewed and updated. 
  • Impact assessment: Deployers must complete annual impact assessments for high-risk AI systems.  Assessments must, at a minimum, include:  
    • A statement of purpose and intended use.  
    • Benefits of the system and an analysis of whether the system poses known or reasonably foreseeable risks of algorithmic discrimination including a description of how the deployer mitigates those risks. 
    • Summary of the data processed as inputs and outputs of the system. 
    • An overview of the categories of data, if any, the deployer used to customize the system, metrics used to evaluate the performance and known limitations of the system. 
    • A description of transparency measures taken, including measures taken to disclose the use of the system to consumers and a description of the post-deployment monitoring and user safeguards provided concerning the system. 
  • Notice. Various notices to Colorado residents. This includes a prior-use notice, notice to applicants, notice of types of AI systems currently in use including the known or reasonably foreseeable risk of algorithmic discrimination.  
  • Self-Disclosure Requirement: Deployers are required to self-disclose to the Colorado Attorney General the discovery of algorithmic discrimination within their AI systems within 90 days after the discovery. 

Gov. Polis’s signing statement reflects his lingering concerns on this issue and encourages the legislature to “significantly improve” the law before it takes effect February 1, 2026.  

Colorado employers using or considering the use of AI in their employment processes should begin auditing current (or future) AI practices to ensure alignment with SB 24-205 and any forthcoming amendments ahead of the February 1, 2026, effective date.   

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Western Growers to Host Webinar on FSMA Agricultural Water Rule

June 7th, 2024

In May 2024, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published the final rule to amend the agricultural water provision of the produce safety regulation. This update replaces previous criteria and testing requirements with a new regulatory approach emphasizing systems-based assessments to target key contamination risks, including testing in specific circumstances. It mandates timely risk-based actions and introduces expedited mitigation for certain hazards.

On June 24 at 11 a.m. PST, Western Growers will host a comprehensive webinar on the FSMA Final Rule of Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water, featuring expert perspectives from academia, government and industry. Don Stockel from the Produce Safety Alliance will provide an academic perspective, Kruti Ravaliya from the FDA will cover compliance and rule interpretation, and Cecilia Mendoza from Taylor Farms will address industry adaptation and operations. Gain essential insights to help you navigate these changes effectively. The webinar will conclude with an interactive Q&A session.

Don Stockel – Produce Safety Alliance

Kruti Ravaliya – FDA

Cecilia Mendoza – Taylor Farms

This event is being co-hosted with:

  • Georgia Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association
  • Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association
  • Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association
  • Colorado Fruit & Vegetable Growers Association

Register now to secure your spot!

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OSHA’s New Third-Party Rule Challenged in Federal Court 

June 6th, 2024

As discussed here, the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has finalized a new rule allowing workers to designate a third person to accompany any OSHA inspector during a facility inspection. The new rule took effect May 31, 2024, and was immediately challenged in federal court (Western District of Texas) by a coalition of businesses lead by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  

The new rule allowing non-employee representatives (aka union organizers) to assist an OSHA inspector is being challenged on numerous fronts including allegations the rule violates the Administrative Procedures Act, the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Regulatory Flexibility Act and exceeds the limitations of OSHA’s statutory authority under the Occupational Health and Safety Act. 

Absent court action on the Chamber’s request for declaratory and injunctive relief, the new rule remains in effect.  Western Growers will continue to monitor this issue and provide updates.  

 

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Western Grower & Shipper May/June Digital Issue Available Now

June 3rd, 2024

The May/June 2024 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is available for online viewing.

This issue includes the articles “Spiraling Labor Cost and the Opportunities Lost”; “Growing the Global Network: Western Growers Visits New Zealand and Australia”; “WGCIT Startup Helps Unlock New Secrets to Plant Growth” and more.

The cover article features Joe Pezzini, Senior Director of Ag Operations at Taylor Farms, and focuses on merging science with the art of farming.

Click here to read more.

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EEOC Sues 15 Employers for Failing to File EEO-1 Reports 

June 6th, 2024

The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has filed its first ever lawsuit against 15 employers in 10 states this week, alleging the companies failed to comply with mandatory EEO-1 federal reporting requirements.  

Each of the employers are ‘repeat’ offenders when it comes to EEOC EEO-1 compliance as the suit alleges ongoing failures to submit mandatory EEO-1 Component 1 data reports in prior years, including for reporting years 2021 and 2022.  

Federal law requires employers with 100 or more employees to submit workforce data to the EEOC. The data collected includes workforce information by job category and sex, race, or ethnicity. This workforce demographic data is used for a variety of purposes including enforcement, analytics and research, and employer self-assessment. Congress granted the EEOC the authority to collect such data, but also extended the authority to use legal proceedings to enforce compliance when employers ignore their obligation to provide the required information.  

The EEO-1 Component 1 report is a mandatory annual data collection that requires all private sector employers with 100 or more employees to submit workforce demographic data, including data by job category and sex and race or ethnicity, to the EEOC. This annual data collection is authorized by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. 

The employers include companies from multiple states across retail, construction, restaurant, manufacturing, logistics, and service industries.  

As discussed here, the 2023 EEO-1 Component 1 data collection is currently underway. The EEOC began collecting EEO-1 Component 1 data from employers for the 2023 reporting cycle on April 30, 2024. The published deadline to file the 2023 EEO-1 Component 1 report was June 4, 2024. The EEOC publishes an Instruction Booklet for employers to assist them in complying with this mandatory reporting requirement, which is available at https://www.eeocdata.org/eeo1. 

For more information on EEO data collection – including late filing information – please visit https://www.eeoc.gov/data/eeo-data-collections. 

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FDA Shares Preliminary Findings from Multi-Year Environmental Study in Southwest Growing Region

June 6th, 2024

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and collaborators have shared preliminary key findings from a multi-year environmental study in Yuma County, Arizona—a major producer of leafy greens in the U.S. The findings include data analyses on airborne pathogens, water quality, wildlife contributions and whole genome sequencing results.

The purpose of the study was to gain a better understanding of the ecology of foodborne pathogens in the environment in the Southwest growing region. Specifically, the research team aimed to uncover new insights into the factors that significantly contribute to the “introduction, persistence, growth, spread, and die-off of pathogens that could contaminate produce prior to harvest in this region.”

The study was in collaboration with the University of Arizona, the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation and Drainage District, local growers, industry groups and other stakeholders and was conducted between May 2019 and April 2024. Throughout the five-year period, researchers collected environmental samples across an estimated 54-mile area within the Southwest agricultural region and observed fluctuations in the types and prevalence of pathogens over time, location and seasonality.

The preliminary key findings have been updated on the FDA’s website here, and a summary of the findings are below:

  • Shiga toxin-producing E.coli (STEC) strains detected in water, sediment and plant tissue genetically matched strains isolated in air samples, providing evidence that STEC in air can transfer to other locations and surfaces.
  • Air samples collected during the study yielded positive viable pathogen results indicating that bacteria can survive in the air and that dust can act as a transfer mechanism for both pathogens and indicator organisms (e.g. generic E. coli) from adjacent and nearby land to water, soil and plant tissue. Distance played an important factor in the likelihood of STEC being detected in collected airborne dust, with the percentage of positive samples declining steadily as air sampling moved in an incremental manner away from concentrated animal operations.
  • Surface water evaluated in the study experienced a change in water quality and an increase in the prevalence of STEC as water moved past a nearby Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO), even in the absence of surface run-off or other direct contamination, which indicates that airborne disposition of dust from the CAFO was potentially a factor in the contamination of the irrigation water.
  • Birds and other wildlife do not appear to be significant sources of STEC or E. coli O157:H7 in or around the part of the Southwest growing region evaluated. However, continued monitoring is warranted to reduce potential risk to produce, the environment and water sources.

The research team will present more details about the study at the International Association for Food Protection annual meeting, taking place on July 14-17, 2024.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) issued the following statement:

The study highlighted below was initiated following a 2018 E. coli O157:H7 outbreak linked to romaine lettuce from the Southwest growing region and represents one of the largest environmental microbiology research efforts to date. Multi-year environmental studies are designed to shed light on environmental conditions that could impact food safety. Having this kind of study helps reinforce the shared commitment to public health through research, science and continuous improvement to promote science-informed food safety practices.

California continues to remain engaged in food safety discussions through the diverse stakeholders represented by the California Agricultural Neighbors (CAN) efforts and by way of the California Longitudinal Study. While the study mentioned below is unique to the Southwest growing region, a One Health approach recognizes the health of people, animals and the environment are intertwined with the goal of achieving holistic health outcomes. You can learn more about California’s One Health efforts related to produce safety on the CDFA Produce Safety One Health Initiatives webpage.

The Industry Advisory Group closely involved with the initial research effort aims to reconvene under the Desert Food Safety Coalition, which includes Western Growers. Western Growers is dedicated to advancing food safety both in our industry and at home. We will persist in our efforts to collaborate with agricultural stakeholders, engage the industry and share best practices to enhance food safety. This is a region-specific study. If you have any concerns about the findings, food safety compliance or your organization’s food safety plan, please contact me at [email protected].

 

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Western Growers Legal – Sowing Success: How Creditor-Suppliers Can Win with Agricultural Liens Webinar

June 5th, 2024

Learn how to take advantage of various agricultural liens in competitive markets.

The fourth in a series of webinars brought to you by Agribusiness Committee of the California Lawyers Association, Business Law Section, this installment focuses on various agricultural liens in competitive markets and features experts June Monroe from Fennemore, LLP and Dean G. Rallis Jr. from Hahn & Hahn, LLP.

 

Details

When: June 19, 2024

Time: 11:00 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Where: Virtual

Register Here

 

MCLE credit provided by Fennemore LLP.   This activity has been approved for MCLE credit by the State Bar of California in the amount of one (1) hour.  Fennemore LLP is a State Bar of California approved MCLE provider and certifies that this activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing MCLE.

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CDFA Lifts Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine in Sacramento County

June 6th, 2024

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has lifted the Oriental Fruit Fly (OFF) quarantine located in the Rancho Cordova area of Sacramento County, effective May 31, 2024.

Most recently, the CDFA ended the OFF quarantine in Santa Clara County following the eradication of the invasive pest.

Invasive fruit fly quarantines are still in effect in California, including:

  • Oriental fruit fly: Contra Costa, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties
  • Mediterranean fruit fly: Los Angeles County
  • Tau fruit fly: Los Angeles County
  • Queensland fruit fly: Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

For maps of the remaining OFF quarantine boundaries, click here.

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Western Growers to Honor Sonny Rodriguez at 2024 Annual Meeting

June 5th, 2024

Disponible en español a continuación.

IRVINE, CALIF. (June 5, 2024) – Western Growers will bestow The Growers Company President and CEO Sonny Rodriguez with the 2024 Award of Honor at the organization’s 98th Annual Meeting in November. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agricultural community.

The Growers Company has offered custom produce harvesting since 1950 and is a third-generation family business. It is based in Yuma, Arizona, with offices in California; the company harvests lettuce, mix lettuce, cauliflower, broccoli and many other commodities.

Rodriguez joined the company in 1975. Under his leadership, The Growers Company thrived on its mission to serve customers’ needs while providing fair, equitable and opportunistic employment for all of their workers.

“The Western Growers Award of Honor is typically bestowed on the growers for whom this association was created in 1926,” said Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia. “This year, we break with that practice to honor Sonny Rodriguez. As President and CEO of The Growers Company, Sonny ensures that his customers – growers of fresh produce – can be confident that their crops will be expertly tended and harvested by skilled farm employees, and he does this with the highest commitment to integrity, ethical conduct and compassion for all.

“Sonny started working in the fields as a teenager and has never strayed from the values his father inculcated in him, none more important than treating every worker with dignity and respect. Few in our industry have done as much to educate elected leaders and government officials about the many positive contributions – and the many challenges confronting – America’s fresh produce industry. He is a respected and well-known advocate for agricultural labor reform that would honor the work of our farm employees and bring rationality to the industry.

“In everything he does for the industry, Sonny’s lifelong commitments to his faith and his family, starting with his wife, Cynthia, are always paramount. It is entirely fitting that we will honor Sonny this November as the Western Growers Annual Meeting returns to his home state of Arizona.”

Rodriguez was first elected to the Western Growers Board of Directors in 1998.

“I have no words to describe how grateful I am to be chosen this year for the Award of Honor,” Rodriguez said. “I am truly humbled to be recognized by my peers and to stand among the great men and women who were honored before me. The real honor is being able to serve our industry by being on the Board of Western Growers.”

Rodriguez is a graduate of Project CENTRL Arizona Leadership Program’s Class XII and served on the Agricultural Employment Relations Board from 1995 to 2005. He was active in the Yuma Vegetable Shippers Association for 15 years.

In addition, Rodriguez is one of the founders of Yuma Catholic High School. He served on the Diocese of Tucson Charity and Ministry Board for six years, was chairman of the St. Francis Parish Board for three years and Hospice of Yuma Board for two years of his six-year term.

Rodriguez’s achievements will be celebrated at the Award of Honor Dinner Gala at the Western Growers 2024 Annual Meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Nov. 3-6, 2024.

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Western Growers Honrará a Sonny Rodriguez en la Reunión Anual 2024

Western Growers otorgará al presidente y director ejecutivo de The Growers Company, Sonny Rodríguez, el Premio de Honor 2024 en la Reunión Annual 98 de la organización este noviembre. El Premio de Honor es el más alto reconocimiento de logros de Western Growers y se otorga a personas que han contribuido ampliamente a la comunidad agrícola.

The Growers Company ha ofrecido cosecha personalizada desde 1950 y es un negocio familiar de tercera generación. Ubicada en Yuma, Arizona, con oficinas en California; la empresa cosecha lechuga, lechuga mixta, coliflor, brócoli, y muchos otros productos.

Rodriguez se unió a la empresa en 1975. Bajo su liderazgo, The Growers Company prosperó en su misión de servir las necesidades de sus clientes, mientras proporcionaba empleo justo, equitativo y oportunista para todos sus trabajadores.

“El Premio de Honor de Western Growers generalmente se otorga a los cultivadores para quienes se creó esta asociación en 1926”, dijo Dave Puglia, presidente y director ejecutivo de Western Growers. “Este año, rompemos con esa costumbre para honrar a Sonny Rodriguez”. Como presidente y director ejecutivo de The Growers Company, Sonny se asegura de que sus clientes – los cultivadores de productos frescos – puedan confiar en que sus cultivos serán atendidos y cosechados por empleados agrícolas expertos, y lo hace con el más alto compromiso a la integridad, la conducta ética y la compasión hacia todos.

“Sonny comenzó a trabajar en los campos como adolescente y nunca se ha desviado de los valores que su padre le enseño, ninguno más importante que tratar a cada trabajador con dignidad y respeto. Pocos en nuestra industria han hecho tanto para educar a los líderes electos y a los oficiales de gobierno sobre las contribuciones positivas – y los muchos desafíos que enfrenta – la industria de productos frescos de Estados Unidos. Es un respetado y conocido defensor de la reforma laboral agrícola que honraría el trabajo de nuestros empleados y traería racionalidad a la industria.

“En todo lo que hace por la industria, los compromisos por vida de Sonny son a su fe y su familia, empezando con su esposa Cynthia, siempre serán lo más importante. Es totalmente apropiado que honremos a Sonny este Noviembre durante la Reunión Anual de Western Growers, que regresara a su estado natal de Arizona.”

Rodriguez fue elegido por primera vez para el Consejo Directivo de Western Growers en 1998.

“No tengo palabras para describir, lo agradecido que estoy por haber sido elegido este año para el Premio de Honor,” dijo Rodriguez. “Realmente me siento honrado de ser reconocido por mis colegas y de estar entre los grandes hombres y mujeres que fueron honrados antes que yo. El verdadero honor es poder servir a nuestra industria como miembro del Consejo Directivo de Western Growers”

Rodriguez se graduó de la clase XII del Programa de Liderazgo de Arizona de Project CENTRL y formo parte del Consejo de Relaciones Laborales Agrícolas desde 1995 hasta 2005. Estuvo activo en la Asociación de Empacadores de Vegetales de Yuma durante 15 años.

Además, Rodríguez es uno de los fundadores de la Escuela Secundaria Católica de Yuma. Sirvió en el Consejo de Caridad y Ministerio de la Diócesis de Tusón durante seis años, fue presidente del Consejo Parroquial de San Francisco durante tres años y del Consejo del Hospicio de Yuma durante dos años de su mandato de seis años.

Los logros de Rodríguez serán celebrados en la Cena de Gala de Premios de Honor durante la Reunión Anual de Western Growers 2024 en Scottsdale, Arizona, del 3 al 6 de noviembre de 2024.

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For more information, please contact:

Ann Donahue
(949) 302-7600
[email protected]

About Western Growers:

Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in California, Arizona, Colorado and New Mexico. Western Growers’ members and their workers provide over half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. Connect and learn more about Western Growers on Twitter and Facebook.

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Western Growers Science: FSMA Final Rule of Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water Webinar

June 5th, 2024

This webinar will provide insights on the implementation of the FDA’s requirements for Pre-Harvest Agricultural Water, featuring expert perspectives from academia, government, and industry.

What to expect:

  • Don Stockel from the Produce Safety Alliance will offer an academic perspective.
  • Kruti Ravaliya from the FDA will cover compliance and rule interpretation.
  • Cecilia Mendoza from Taylor Farms will address industry response and implementation considerations.
  • The webinar will conclude with an interactive Q&A session.

Details:

When: June 24, 2024

Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM PST

Where: Virtual

Register Here

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Week 2 of National Safety Month: Roadway Safety

June 3rd, 2024

For agricultural employers, ensuring the safety of employees on roadways is a critical responsibility. Whether transporting goods, equipment or personnel, practicing safe driving habits is paramount to preventing accidents and protecting lives. Roadway safety is a shared responsibility that requires vigilance, training and proactive measures from agricultural employers and their employees. Here are some essential tips to enhance roadway safety in agricultural operations:

  1. Prioritize Driver Training: Invest in comprehensive training programs for all employees who operate vehicles as part of their duties. Ensure they understand traffic laws, safe driving techniques, defensive driving practices and the specific challenges associated with agricultural vehicles, such as wide loads and slower speeds.
  2. Maintain Vehicles Regularly: Regular maintenance of agricultural vehicles and transportation fleets is essential for optimal performance and safety. Conduct routine inspections to check for any mechanical issues, ensure brakes and lights are functioning properly, and address any maintenance concerns promptly.
  3. Secure Loads Properly: Properly securing loads is crucial to prevent shifting or falling during transportation, which can lead to accidents or road hazards. Train employees on the correct methods for securing loads using appropriate restraints, tie-downs and covers to minimize the risk of incidents.
  4. Plan Routes Strategically: Before embarking on any journey, plan routes carefully to avoid potential hazards, such as narrow roads, low bridges or high-traffic areas whenever possible. Consider factors like weather conditions, time of day and road construction activities that may impact travel safety.
  5. Promote Fatigue Management: Long hours behind the wheel can lead to driver fatigue, impairing judgment and reaction times. Encourage employees to take regular breaks, rotate drivers for long trips and adhere to mandated rest periods to minimize the risk of fatigue-related accidents.
  6. Emphasize Defensive Driving: Encourage a defensive driving mindset among employees, emphasizing the importance of staying alert, maintaining a safe following distance, anticipating potential hazards and avoiding aggressive driving behaviors.
  7. Use Reflective Markings and Lighting: Enhance the visibility of agricultural vehicles, especially during low-light conditions or inclement weather, by equipping them with reflective markings, flashing lights and warning signals. This improves visibility for other motorists and reduces the risk of collisions.
  8. Consider Implementing Vehicle Telematics: Incorporating telematics into your fleet safety program can help advance your fleet safety culture and streamline processes. Recent advancements and more widespread availability and functionality of vehicle telematics have made telematics, including vehicle cameras, equipment monitoring technology and employee communication more accessible and affordable than ever.

By prioritizing these areas, agricultural operations can minimize the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of everyone on the road. Together, let’s cultivate a culture of safety that extends beyond the fields and onto the highways.

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].

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June has been designated as National Safety Month by the National Safety Council. This event is intended to increase awareness of workplace safety topics and reinforce our collaborative responsibility to keep each other safe. Safety is everyone’s responsibility!

This article is one of a four-part, weekly series following the topics designated for National Safety Month.  The topics are:

Week 1: Safety Engagement – Cultivating a positive safety culture through employee engagement can create an environment where safety is inherent in every task.   

Week 2: Roadway Safety – Prioritize roadway safety with strategic tips to mitigate the risk of accidents and ensure the safety of employees and other road users.

Week 3: Risk Reduction – Proactive identification of risks and hazards foster a safer work environment.

Week 4: Slips, Trips and Falls – A frequent cause of significant workplace injury and associated costs, these types of incidents are often preventable. 

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