Posts By: Cory Lunde
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WG Launches New Leadership Program for Women
Yesterday, more than 40 women from Western Growers (WG) member companies were on hand in Fresno, Calif., for the much-anticipated launch of WG Women, a new program designed to identify and prepare women for positions of leadership within the fresh produce industry. The half-day event, held at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, featured opening remarks ...
House Democrats Introduce Latest COVID-19 Relief Package
Today, House Democrats introduced The Heroes Act, the latest COVID-19 relief package worth more than $3 trillion. The House Rules Committee is scheduled to consider the bill on Thursday, with a full House vote expected on Friday. According to Senate Finance Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the Senate is not expected to take up their ...
Farms Exempt from County Shelter-In-Place Orders
Yesterday, government officials issued a shelter-in-place order for six San Francisco Bay Area counties* –Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, San Francisco, San Mateo and Santa Clara – in order to slow the spread of COVID-19. To stay in effect until April 7th, the order directs the public to stay at home as much as possible, with ...
USDA to Host Webinar for Producers Interested in Applying for CFAP Direct Payments
On Thursday, May 14th, at 10:00 a.m. (PT), USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) will host a webinar for farmers, ranchers and other producers interested in applying for direct payments through the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP). The rule is not out, and the application period has not opened up. However, ...
WG, Industry Outlines Need for H-2A Flexibility
As reported earlier this week, the U.S. Department of State suspended regular visa processing at the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City and all U.S. consulates in Mexico in response to COVID-19. While the Administration did announce they will be prioritizing interview waiver cases for returning H-2A workers, the number of eligible workers under this protocol ...
USDA Provides Initial CFAP Direct Payment Guidance; CFAP Application Process Not Yet Started
As part of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), USDA will provide $16 billion in direct support to agricultural producers impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. NOTE: USDA is not yet taking applications. CFAP will provide direct support based on actual losses for agricultural producers where prices and market supply chains have been impacted. Additionally, CFAP ...
WG, Ag Coalition Sends Letter to President Trump
Yesterday, WG and a coalition of more than 40 organizations representing the spectrum of U.S. agriculture issued a letter to President Trump seeking his assistance in ensuring a continued steady supply of U.S.-produced food, fiber, feed and fuel amid the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter notes the challenges American agriculture faced in 2019 – including severe ...
USDA Direct Payment Applications to Open May 26
As part of USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), farmers will be able to apply for direct payments starting next week. Beginning on May 26, 2020, producers of all eligible commodities may apply for assistance through their local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Center. Specialty crop producers are encouraged to complete the application forms ahead of ...
Food and Agriculture Identified as Critical Infrastructure Workers During COVID-19 Response
The Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) included food and agriculture workers in its initial list of Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers, which is intended to ensure “continuity of functions critical to public health and safety, as well as economic and national security.” Among the critical food and agriculture functions…
Reclamation Updates CVP Water Allocations
Following April precipitation showing a sizeable water supply improvement for the American River watershed, the Bureau of Reclamation has announced updated allocations for Central Valley Project contractors: The allocation for south-of-Delta agricultural water service contractors increased from 15% to 20%. The allocation for south-of-Delta municipal and industrial water service contractors…
Members of Congress Push State Department on H-2A Visa Processing
Led by Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), nine California Congressional representatives joined a group of more than 40 bipartisan, geographically-diverse Members of Congress in responding to the Department of State’s decision to suspend routine nonimmigrant visa processing in Mexico. In a letter to Secretary Pompeo, the bipartisan group of lawmakers express deep concern that the suspension…
PPP Funds Nearly Exhausted
Nearly $200 billion of the $310 billion authorized for round two of the small business Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) has been exhausted. If your business is planning on applying for the PPP, you are encouraged to do so immediately, as the forgivable loans are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. You can apply through any ...
Calif. Dept. of Industrial Relations Releases Guidance on Workers’ Comp Executive Order
On May 6, 2020, Governor Newsom signed Executive Order N-62-20, which provides that under certain circumstances it is presumed that workers who contract a COVID-19-related illness between March 19 and July 5, 2020, have done so at work and are thus eligible for workers’ compensation benefits. The Calif. Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) has issued guidance ...
WG Launches COVID-19 Resources Page
It can be overwhelming trying to sift through all of the information related to COVID-19 and what it means for your business. Western Growers has created a COVID-19 Resources Page as a one-stop-shop for timely information and industry-specific guidance, tailored specifically to the needs of the grower and handler community. Additionally, you’ll find the best ...
Government Announces Plan for Refundable Payroll Tax Credits
Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Department, Internal Revenue Service and the U.S. Department of Labor announced that small and midsize employers – defined as businesses with fewer than 500 employees – can begin taking advantage of two new refundable payroll tax credits, designed to immediately and fully reimburse them, dollar-for-dollar, for the cost of providing Coronavirus-related ...
USDA Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) Direct Payments FAQs
Farmers will be able to apply for USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) direct payments beginning May 26, 2020. Producers of all eligible commodities may apply for assistance through their local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Center. Specialty crop producers are encouraged to complete the application forms ahead of the application date. Producers can locate their…
WG Opposes “Split Roll” Calif. Ballot Initiative
At the direction of the WG board of directors, the association will oppose the “split roll” initiative set to appear on the California ballot in November 2020. Currently, there are two versions of the ballot initiative. The first version, the California Tax on Commercial and Industrial Properties for Education and Local Government Funding Initiative, qualified ...
USDA Accepting Applications for FY 2021 Export Programs
USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting applications from eligible organizations for fiscal year 2021 funding for five export market development programs. The application deadline for the five programs is June 26, 2020. Market Access Program Under the Market Access Program, USDA provides competitive, cost-share assistance to U.S. exporters and agricultural, fish, and forest product…
WG Calls for Regulatory Pause for California Agriculture
On March 20th, WG President and CEO Dave Puglia issued a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom requesting a formal pause on new regulations impacting the state’s agriculture industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In the letter, Puglia requests that Governor Newsom initiate a formal pause “for all open public comment periods concerning both active rulemakings ...
Industry, Congressional Representatives Urge USDA to Purchase Commodities
On Monday, March 23rd, Western Growers joined a coalition of more than 40 regional and national associations in urging USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue to quickly begin purchasing commodities sitting stagnant in the supply chain as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The letter estimates that there is at least $1 billion worth of perishable commodities ...