Ann Donahue serves as Director, Communications for Western Growers, where she is responsible for external communication efforts and 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, IndieWire, and […]
Grapery’s Cotton Candy Grape – the savior of parents everywhere looking to get more nutritious foods into their children’s diets – takes centerstage in an episode of PBS’s “America’s Heartland” that aired last week. The show visits the company’s Shafter, Calif. headquarters and interviews Grapery Founder Jack Pandol and CEO Jim Beagle about how they use the fruit’s diverse…
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 Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance (SCFBA), a national coalition of more than 200 specialty crop organizations representing growers of fruits, vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, nursery plants and other products, this week endorsed legislation that addresses several key priorities in the 2023 Farm Bill. Read the full press release here.
IRVINE, CALIF. (June 13, 2023) – Steve Mangapit, the COO of the Western Growers Family of Companies (WGFC), will assume the duties of President of Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc., effective immediately. He replaces David Zanze, who retired after 38 years of service to the organization. "I look forward to ushering in a reinvigorated era of collaboration with our partners," Mangapit says.…
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…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology in Salinas welcomed Turlock Fruit Company General Manager Neill Callis as the speaker for its June Lunch & Learn event. For the representatives from 15 startups that were in attendance, Callis talked about the need for technologists to work with growers to develop precision agriculture - in particular, the need for "hyper specific"…
Sixth annual AgSharks® Competition will provide agtech startups exclusive access to produce leaders and funding to advance innovative solutions for the agriculture sector SALINAS, CALIF. (June 21, 2023) - Western Growers and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2023 AgSharks® Competition, a unique event where startup companies pitch their innovations in front of a live…
Season 17 of “America’s Heartland” – PBS’s stalwart TV show that goes behind-the-scenes on how farmers work to feed the world – is dedicated to specialty crop growers, and a number of Western Growers members will be featured in the coming weeks! The premiere episode of the season, which debuted last week, featured Western Growers members Far West Fungi, based in San Bruno, Calif.,…
IRVINE, Calif. (July 10, 2023) - Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) is introducing the WGAT Healthcare Concierge powered by Rightway, a groundbreaking service designed to revolutionize the healthcare experience for WGAT members. Rightway Healthcare is a leading healthcare navigation and advocacy platform that seamlessly blends technology and a human-centered approach to transform patient…
