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Western Growers Statement on Imposition of Tariffs on Goods from Canada, Mexico and China
IRVINE, CALIF. (Feb. 1, 2025) - In response to President Donald J. Trump's imposition of 25 percent tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent tariffs on goods from China starting Feb. 4, 2025, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement: "Canada and Mexico are the first- and second-largest importers of U.S.-grown fresh produce while China, another…
Mountain Fire Resources from Farm Bureau of Ventura County
Farm Bureau of Ventura County has created a series of webinars for the ag community to provide support for the ag communities experiencing the Mountain Fire. The next webinar event will be Mountain Fire Ag Recovery Webinar 2: Recovery Resources on November 18, 2024. For more information on upcoming events, sign up for the Farm Bureau of Ventura County newsletter here. The Farm Bureau of…
In Memoriam: Western Growers Mourns Passing of Agricultural Leader Edward “Ed” Duda
DUDA announced the passing of Edward “Ed” Duda on Sunday, August 11, 2024. He was 91. During a career that spanned decades, Ed built a lasting legacy that will continue to impact agriculture for generations to come. His loss will be felt throughout the industry. Ed started his career as a third-generation farmer with DUDA in 1957. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Ed worked in various areas…
EPA Issues Emergency Order to Stop Use of Pesticide Dacthal to Address Serious Health Risk
WASHINGTON – Today, Aug. 6, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is announcing the emergency suspension of all registrations of the pesticide dimethyl tetrachloroterephthalate (DCPA or Dacthal) under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA). This is the first time in almost 40 years EPA has taken this type of emergency action, following several years of…
USDA Invests Up to $400 Million to Address Drought, Conserve Water through Production of Water-Saving Commodities
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million with at least 18 irrigation districts to help farmers continue commodity production while also conserving water across the West. This funding – which will support irrigation districts and producers in using innovative water savings technologies and farming practices while producing…
Western Growers Commends Court Decision on Card Check Law
IRVINE, CALIF. (July 19, 2024) - Following the recent court decision to grant Wonderful Nurseries' request for a preliminary injunction to halt the bargaining process with the United Farm Workers union, Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement: "We applaud the court's decision to halt the certification process and thoroughly examine the constitutionality of…
Historic PAGA Reform Signed by Governor Newsom
Agreement Between Business, Community and Labor Groups Will Create a Better, Fairer System for Workers and Employers Sacramento – Today, the Fix PAGA coalition, representing non-profits, social justice advocates, family farmers, health care providers and businesses, applauded Governor Newsom and legislators for enacting historic reform to the Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). Governor…
Western Growers University: Leave Law Event
Join us for a one-day workshop covering leave law mandates and disability accommodation in the workplace. This unique opportunity is a chance to build and refine human resource management skills around employee leaves laws and the employer’s duty to provide a discrimination free workplace. Those in attendance will first learn how to navigate through the most common federal and state leaves…
Agreement Reached to Reform Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) to Create a Better, Fairer System for Workers and Employers
For immediate release: June 18, 2024 Legislation to be introduced this week Sacramento – Today, the Fix PAGA coalition, representing non-profits, social justice advocates, family farmers, health care providers and businesses, announced their support for legislation to reform California’s broken Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA). The agreement was announced by Governor Gavin Newsom,…
Navigating California’s New Workplace Violence Prevention Requirements – Webinar
Join us for a crucial and timely webinar focused on California’s new workplace violence prevention mandates, specifically tailored for human resources professionals in the agriculture sector. This 1.5-hour session will be presented by Western Growers Learning and Development Manager, Priscila Cisneros and Corporate Counsel, Teresa McQueen who will provide you with the essential knowledge and…
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Commends Movement on Farm Bill
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…
Specialty Crops Applaud House Farm Bill Moving Forward
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 24, 2024) – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has released the following statement following the U.S. House Agriculture Committee’s passage of the farm bill: “We thank Chairman Thompson and his staff for including so many investments for specialty crops in his bill, as well as the countless Democrats and Republicans on the House Agriculture Committee…
Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance Applauds Movement on Farm Bill
WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 21, 2024) – The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA) has issued the following statement following the release of the U.S. House farm bill draft: “The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance appreciates the work of House Agriculture Committee Chairman Thompson and others for moving the farm bill process forward and for recognizing the importance of specialty crops with…
Kim Stuart Retires from Western Growers; Cory Lunde Takes Over Membership Department
After 7½ years as the head of our Membership Department, Kim Stuart embarked on a well-deserved, yet bittersweet, retirement at the end of April. During her time at Western Growers, Kim brought professionalism and discipline to the department and elevated our association’s profile within the fresh produce industry. Our task now is to honor her contributions and build on the great work she has…
Western Growers University: Preventing Discrimination and Harassment: Non-Supervisory Employees (Spanish) – Imperial
During this course, you will learn state law requirements regarding discrimination, harassment, and abusive conduct with a fresh approach. This course focuses on what matters most: knowing what to do if you experience or witness sexual harassment or other misconduct without fear of retaliation. This one-hour course is essential for developing awareness of acceptable and unacceptable…
Preventing Discrimination and Harassment: Supervisory Employees (Spanish) – Salinas
Learn what the law says about acceptable and unacceptable workplace behavior by examining the different forms of harassment, abusive conduct, and discrimination. Equip yourself with new approaches to help individuals know how to make the right decisions and act if they experience or witness sexual harassment or other misconduct -- from the obvious to the subtle. Help your organization avoid…
Support for PAGA Reform Gains Traction
In case you missed it, in a recent Sacramento Bee opinion piece, Barry Jardini, Executive Director of the California Disability Services Association (CDSA), highlights how non-profit organizations have become major targets of predatory Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits. California agricultural employers, including many Western Growers members, have also been targets of…
Western Growers University: Workplace Leadership
Join us for a one-day workshop covering trust in the workplace and how to have the tough conversations. This unique opportunity is a chance to build and refine your skills as a leader. Building Trust in the Workplace This course discusses the foundation for all relationships and trust. It is the basis for effective employee relationships, motivation, teamwork, decision-making,…
Western Growers University: Wage and Hour: What you Need to Know to be Compliant (Spanish)
This course will carefully guide you through Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements. Understand the specifics of how to classify and pay an employee correctly. Misclassification can lead to costly penalties and expose you to potential class action and PAGA claims. Educate your managers about wage and hour laws, set clear employee expectations, and avoid common miscalculations and…
AgTechxEd: Developing the Next Generation of Tech-Savvy Ag Workers
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology, California Department of Food and Agriculture and Merced College have partnered to host AgTechX Ed – a half-day event dedicated to developing the next generation of tech-savvy agricultural workers. The AgTechX Ed Summit at Merced College will be comprised of 3 panels, covering topics including: industry issues and skill…