949-302-7600/ Adonahue@wga.com Ann Donahue serves as Senior Manager, Media and Content Strategy for Western Growers, where she is responsible for publicizing the Association’s executives, initiatives, and members across all media platforms. Ann spent more than 20 years as an editor and reporter covering entertainment journalism, with bylines at publications including Variety, the L.A. Times, Billboard, […]
IRVINE, CALIF. (Aug. 23, 2022) – Western Growers released a new video today that calls on the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to ease the industry’s labor shortage and, in turn, help lower the burden of food prices on consumers. The current broken immigration system fails to provide the workers the ...
With the onset of National Pollinator Week (June 20-26), it’s a good time for farmers and ranchers to know about the latest resources and opportunities for protecting pollinators and beneficial insects. Such projects not only benefit pollinators, but can also help landowners by improving soil health, reducing pest pressure and increasing yields in some crops. ...
You have until Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 to purchase a congratulatory ad to celebrate 2022 Award of Honor recipient John Harris at the Western Growers Annual Meeting, which will be held Nov. 2-5, 2022 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to ...
IRVINE, CALIF. (Aug. 23, 2022) – Western Growers released a new video today that calls on the U.S. Senate to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to ease the industry’s labor shortage and, in turn, help lower the burden of food prices on consumers. The current broken immigration system fails to provide the workers the ...
With the onset of National Pollinator Week (June 20-26), it’s a good time for farmers and ranchers to know about the latest resources and opportunities for protecting pollinators and beneficial insects. Such projects not only benefit pollinators, but can also help landowners by improving soil health, reducing pest pressure and increasing yields in some crops. ...
You have until Friday, Oct. 7, 2022 to purchase a congratulatory ad to celebrate 2022 Award of Honor recipient John Harris at the Western Growers Annual Meeting, which will be held Nov. 2-5, 2022 at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to ...
IRVINE, CALIF. (March 6, 2023) – Following the U.S. Department of Labor's announcement that it will publish a final rule to amend the Adverse Effect Wage Rates for the H-2A program, Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia issued the following statement: “American farmers are already stretched to the limit by rising costs and shrinking margins. With economic blinders on, the…
PHOENIX (March 23, 2023) - During its quarterly Board Meeting, the Western Growers Executive Committee announced it will bestow D'Arrigo Bros. Co. of California CEO/President and Chairman of the Board John D'Arrigo with the 2023 Award of Honor. The Award of Honor is Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement and is given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the…
For the first time, the California Department of Water Resources deemed the groundwater sustainability plans for six basins “inadequate” and have started transitioning them from DWR oversight to the State Water Board for intervention under the terms laid out by the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. The ruling applies to the following Groundwater Sustainability Agencies: …
IRVINE, CALIF. (MARCH 2, 2023) – Registration is now open to attend the first-ever Salinas Biological Summit, which will be held June 20-21, 2023 at CSU Monterey Bay's Salinas City Center. Co-presented by Western Growers and New Zealand-based agrifood tech consultancy Wharf42, the 2023 Salinas Biological Summit will provide an opportunity for growers to increase their awareness of…
SALINAS, Calif.—The California Rodeo Salinas is set to become the hub of agricultural innovation as it hosts the 2023 edition of FIRA USA. The three-day event will bring together the agtech automation community for a showcase of the latest robotic farming solutions, exhibitions, presentations, discussions and networking opportunities. Following a successful first edition in Fresno in 2022,…
The second annual Western Growers Specialty Crop Automation Report reveals a 25 percent increase in average year-over-year agtech investment as the labor shortage persists IRVINE, CALIF. (April 27, 2023) – Growers are now spending an average of $500,000 a year on automation in response to the persistent ag labor shortage, according to the Specialty Crop Automation Report released today and…
The Agriculture Workforce Coalition released the following statement: ”The House has announced plans to move forward with H.R. 2, the “Secure the Border Act,” which includes mandatory electronic verification for all new hires, re-hires of seasonal workers, and if a Social Security Number is used with multiple employers. Farmers share the goal of a verified workforce, but agricultural…
IRVINE, CALIF. (May 22, 2023) – Former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, the Chairman of the Panetta Institute of Public Policy, will deliver the keynote address at the Salinas Biological Summit, speaking on the topic of food security and innovation. Registration is now open to attend the event, which will be held June 20-21, 2023 at CSU Monterey Bay's Salinas City Center. Co-presented by…
Pre-harvest testing is a hot topic and technical support is now offered by Western Growers. On Nov. 2, 2022, Western Growers, in collaboration with the California Leafy Green Marketing Agreement, (CA LGMA) held an in-person workshop on the subject at the Monterey County Farm Bureau in Salinas, Calif. The event was the first in a ...
Once again, the State has announced major COVID updates this week. For starters, on Monday October 17, 2022 Governor Newsom announced that the California COVID-19 State of Emergency (SOE) will (supposedly) end February 28, 2023. However, he indicated that as the SOE ends, the California “SMARTER Plan continues to guide California’s strategy to best protect ...
By Anna Bilderbach This four-hour onsite workshop is designed for new or veteran HR practitioners and department leaders. This course is delivered by Western Growers University and its Corporate Counsel. In this session, you will learn about: Federal and state employee leaves Who qualifies and who doesn’t? What is an employer’s obligation? The Interactive Process ...
On December 13, 2022, the National Labor Relations Board (“NLRB”), by a 3-2 majority, issued a very “consequential” decision in the case of Thryv, Inc. and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Like the ALRB, the NLRB’s standard remedy for unlawful terminations include backpay directly related to lost payroll and fringe benefits. With the new ruling, ...
On December 7, 2022, President Biden signed the “Speak Out Act.” (“Speak Out”). “Speak Out” voids in as unenforceable any non-disclosure or non-disparagement agreement related to workplace sexual harassment and sexual assault. The Act bars employers from enforcing such agreements with former or current employees, independent contractors, providers…
Although they are cutting it a little close, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury (the “Departments”) have given us all a gift for the holidays: The Departments announced today that they are offering enforcement relief in connection with the Prescription Drug Data Collection (RxDC) Reporting mandate. For those who have been ...
