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CDPH Issues Guidance on AB 685, California’s New COVID-19 Law
Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on September 17, 2020, AB 685 (Reyes) requires employers to notify employees who may have been exposed to COVID-19 and to report workplace outbreaks of COVID-19 to the local health department. Additionally, the bill enhances the Division of Occupational Health and Safety’s (Cal/OSHA) ability to enforce health and safety standards to…
WG Women Media Training with Communication Expert Nancy Heffernan
Have you ever wanted to be an industry spokesperson? With the proliferation of information sources in today’s world, including traditional, social and digital media, the thought of being an advocate can be daunting. But that is exactly why we need you; if you bring the courage, we’ll help you build the confidence! Hone your advocacy ...
U.S. DOL Updates H-2A Wage Methodology
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) yesterday announced a final rule updating the methodology for determining the annual Adverse Effect Wage Rates (AEWR) in the H-2A agricultural visa program. The new rule aims to improve the consistency of the AEWR and establish better stability and predictability for employers in complying with their wage obligations. Among the key ...
Do Not Miss Out on CFAP 2 Payments for COVID-19 Losses
USDA’s Farm Service Agency has improved the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP 2) to better meet the needs of your operations during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. There are three things you need to know: 1. USDA has expanded the range of eligible commodities, including most fruit, vegetable and tree nut crops, and all seed crops. 2. The ...
2021-2022 Board of Directors Election Results Announced
Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we saw an uptick in member voting during the 2021-2022 board election process. Thank you to all who participated in the selection of your district representatives. We are pleased to announce the results of the 2021-2022 Western Growers Board of Directors elections. The following members have been ...
2021 CA Workers’ Compensation Rates Issued
Last week, Calif. Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued the 2021 pure premium advisory rates for Calif. workers’ compensation. Rejecting a proposed surcharge for COVID-19 claim charges, Commissioner Lara approved an average 4.6% reduction in advisory pure premium workers’ compensation rates across all classification codes. Advisory pure premium rates are set by the Calif. Department of…
FDA Plans COVID-19 Outreach to Food Production Facilities
FDA is planning outreach calls to registered food facilities in areas with high rates of COVID-19 or are anticipated to have high rates of COVID-19. The intent of the outreach effort is to support continuity in the food supply. FDA is prioritizing these calls based on facility food type and size. The time frame for the ...
President-Elect Taps Vilsack to Run USDA
President-elect Joe Biden plans to nominate former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack as secretary of agriculture. Vilsack, who is currently President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council, previously served eight years as agriculture secretary in the Obama administration. “Secretary Vilsack is a logical and proven choice to run USDA. We worked closely with him ...
COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Resource Center Now Available
Western Growers has developed a dedicated online resource to help our members manage their workforce COVID-19 testing and vaccination needs. Click here to access the WG COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Resource Center. This web page will serve as the hub of information for updates, resources and key links to assist our members with questions related ...
WG COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Resource Center Now Offers Vaccination FAQs, Rapid Testing Program, Templates and More
Manage your workforce COVID-19 testing and vaccination needs with Western Growers COVID-19 Testing & Vaccination Resource Center. This web page will serve as the hub of information for updates, resources and key links to assist our members with questions related to COVID-19 testing and the vaccine rollout. The Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) ...
Coachella City Council Passes Temporary Increase in Agricultural Employee Pay
On Wednesday, February 10, the Coachella City Council unanimously passed a mandate that farmers and other agricultural employers provide an additional $4 per hour to their employees for at least four months, effective immediately. Grocery, restaurant and retail pharmacy workers are also covered under the ordinance, which applies to businesses that employ 300 or more ...
WGAT, Consortium Advocates for Additional Vaccines for Farm Employees in Santa Barbara County
The Santa Barbara County Food and Agriculture Clinic Consortium (the Consortium) recently sent California Government Operations Agency Secretary Yolanda Richardson a letter urging the State to increase its vaccine allocation for farm employees in Santa Barbara County. According to the letter, the State has estimated that there are less than 9,000 agricultural workers in Santa ...
FDA COVID-19 Vaccination Resources for Agriculture
FDA has published a new web page to help agricultural employers communicate about COVID-19 vaccinations to their workforce. The resources are from FDA, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other trusted partners. Click here to access the COVID-19 vaccination resources for agriculture page. As the COVID-19 vaccine supply increases, FDA hopes these ...
AWC Calls on Senate to Act on Ag Immigration Reform
Following passage of the Farm Workforce Modernization Act (FWMA) last week in the U.S. House of Representatives, the steering committee of the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC) called on the U.S. Senate to develop and pass legislation addressing the labor crisis faced by agriculture. In a letter to Senate leadership, the AWC states: “We must address ...
USDA Announces Pandemic Assistance for Producers
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced yesterday that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers impacted by COVID-19 market disruptions. With at least $6 billion dedicated toward the new initiative, the USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 ...
Industry Calls for Water Infrastructure Investment in The Hill Op-Ed
Western Growers President/CEO Dave Puglia, Family Farm Alliance Executive Director Dan Keppen and State Water Contractors General Manager Jennifer Pierre authored an op-ed yesterday calling on Congress to recognize one of the “great needs” of the 21st century and invest in our Western water infrastructure. The op-ed was featured in The Hill and is available ...
Register Today for Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit West
Mark your calendars for the 2021 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit West on July 12, 2021, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The event will offer participants a full day of presentations and panel discussions that delve into the theme: “How Can California Agriculture Remain Competitive?” Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia and Vice ...
Last Chance to Register for Next Week’s Food & Ag Policy Summit
Today is the last day to register for the 2021 Agri-Pulse Food & Ag Policy Summit West on July 12, 2021, at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento. The event will offer participants a full day of presentations and panel discussions that delve into the theme: “How Can California Agriculture Remain Competitive?” Western Growers President and CEO ...
Governor Newsom Vetoes UFW-Sponsored Card Check Bill
Marking one of the biggest victories for California agriculture in the 2021 legislative session, Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed AB 616 on Wednesday. Despite misleading claims to the contrary, the UFW-sponsored card check bill would not have effected a simple shift to mail-in ballots. Rather, the bill would have denied farmworkers basic democratic protections in union ...
Join WG to Learn About a Ballot Initiative to End PAGA Shakedown Lawsuits
On Thursday, March 10, Western Growers will host a virtual Town Hall to discuss the effort to qualify a ballot initiative aimed at ending PAGA shakedown lawsuits. If you are a California employer, you are probably familiar with the Private Attorneys General Act. Over the past five years, PAGA has been used by trial lawyers ...