Posts By: Cory Lunde
- All
- May, 2026
- May, 2025
- July, 2024
- May, 2024
- March, 2023
- September, 2022
- July, 2022
- March, 2022
- January, 2022
- November, 2021
- September, 2021
- July, 2021
- June, 2021
- May, 2021
- March, 2021
- February, 2021
- January, 2021
- December, 2020
- November, 2020
- October, 2020
- September, 2020
- August, 2020
- July, 2020
- June, 2020
- May, 2020
- April, 2020
- March, 2020
- February, 2020
- January, 2020
- December, 2019
- November, 2019
- October, 2019
- September, 2019
- July, 2019
- June, 2019
- May, 2019
- April, 2019
- March, 2019
- December, 2018
- November, 2018
- September, 2018
- July, 2018
- June, 2018
- January, 2018
- October, 2017
- August, 2017
- July, 2017
- May, 2017
- April, 2017
- March, 2017
- February, 2017
- January, 2017
- December, 2016
- November, 2016
- September, 2016
- August, 2016
- June, 2016
- May, 2016
- April, 2016
- March, 2016
- February, 2016
- January, 2016
- November, 2015
- October, 2015
- July, 2015
- June, 2015
- March, 2015
- February, 2015
Applications for CFAP Direct Payments Now Open
USDA is accepting applications now through August 28, 2020. The Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) provides financial assistance to producers of agricultural commodities who have suffered a five-percent-or-greater price decline or who had losses due to market supply chain disruptions due to COVID-19 and face additional significant market costs. Visit USDA’s Farmers.gov to view the…
AZ Governor Ducey Issues Executive Order Prohibiting Closure of Essential Services
On Monday, March 23rd, Arizona Governor Doug Ducey issued an Executive Order stating that no Arizona county or city “may make or issue any order, rule or regulation that restricts or prohibits any person from performing any function” designated as an essential function. The order defines an essential function as one that “promotes the public ...
WG, Industry Urge Consistency in State Response Plans
Today, WG joined 44 allied associations from across the country in issuing a letter to the 50 state governors urging consistency in defining food and agriculture as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” in all state COVID-19 response plans. Referencing the guidance provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the letter…
Cal/OSHA Provides New Guidance on COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Agriculture
Cal/OSHA has provided new guidance, including a video and checklists, on COVID-19 infection prevention in the agriculture industry. The video and checklists are intended to help agricultural employers implement their plan to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance does not introduce any new legal obligations, but because COVID-19 is widespread in ...
FDA, USDA Provide Recommendations for PPE Shortages
FDA and USDA have released a guidance document offering recommendations for addressing shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE), cloth face coverings, disinfectants, and sanitation supplies in the food and agriculture industry. Click here to access the full PPE guidance document. According to the guidance document, Sector entities can apply the following considerations when attempting to…
Updated Employment Verification Letter
In light of recent policy announcements and requests for a more general letter that can be adopted in different states, WG has updated its template employment verification letter that can be provided to your workforce verifying their employment in your company and clarifying the federal Critical Infrastructure Sector policy. This letter can be presented to ...
Fed Reserve Announces Main Street Lending Program Webinars
The Federal Reserve announced a series of upcoming webinars and drop-in sessions for potential Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) borrowers. The sessions will be on May 29 and June 3. This webinar is an opportunity for potential borrowers to learn more about the program and ask questions to senior officials from the Federal Reserve. To allow ...
Senate Passes $2 Trillion Stimulus Plan: What’s in the Bill for Agriculture?
Just before midnight on Wednesday, the U.S. Senate passed a $2 trillion plan aimed at rescuing the nation from the current economic and health crisis. The package is expected to pass the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday and be signed by President Trump. Click here for a comprehensive summary* of the key elements most ...
Puglia Joins KCBS Radio for “Ask an Expert” Segment
Last Thursday, May 21st, WG President and CEO Dave Puglia joined KCBS (San Francisco) Radio’s Stan Bunger to field coronavirus-related questions from the Bay Area audience. During the popular Ask an Expert segment, Puglia covered concerns ranging from supply chain disruptions to food bank donations to worker protections. Click here to listen to the full ...
State Department Increases Visa Waiver Capability
The State Department announced today that it is taking additional steps to increase the processing of H-2A visa holders through consulates around the world. These modifications, including the expansion of interview waiver eligibility, will ensure that the majority of H-2A processing can continue. The specific steps are summarized below: Secretary Pompeo, in consultation with the ...
State Water Project Allocation Increases to 20 Percent
On Friday, May 22nd, the Calif. Department of Water Resources announced that the State Water Project (SWP) now expects to deliver 20 percent of requested supplies in 2020 as a result of above-average precipitation in May. An initial allocation of 10 percent was announced in December and increased to 15 percent in January. The announcement ...
WG Addresses PACA Concerns with USDA
On Wednesday, WG President & CEO Dave Puglia sent a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue requesting that USDA take action to guarantee the payment of all legitimate PACA trust claims, to the extent these claims are not satisfied by the available PACA trust assets. In other words, USDA would cover the difference between what the ...
COVID-19 Resources Page Continually Updated
As your company continues to navigate the current business and public health climate, schedule some regular time to review the WG COVID-19 Resources Page. At the top of the page, you’ll notice a “Latest Updates” section, which will help you identify the most recent guidance and resources. In case you missed it, here are the ...
WG, Industry Proposes Market Stabilization Plan
On Monday, March 30, WG joined more than 75 allied produce organizations in issuing a letter to Secretary Sonny Perdue calling on USDA to develop a market stabilization plan for the industry with allocated funding from the stimulus package. Specifically, the letter proposes the agency take the following actions: USDA should move to aggregate all ...
Proposed New Fund to Help Businesses Affected by Coronavirus Shutdown
Many of our members have reported a slowdown in their business due to the impact of COVID-19 in the foodservice sector, and now possibly expanding into the retail markets. It is quite possible that this slowdown may continue, or even spread further. “Generally speaking, financial losses caused by COVID-19 are not covered under the Business Income ...
Tom Oliveri, Longtime WG Staffer, Passes Away at 67
With heavy hearts, we share the sad news of the passing of Tom Oliveri, who passed away in his home Thursday morning, May 28, at the age of 67. Affectionately known as “Tommy O” by Western Growers (WG) members and many others throughout the industry, Oliveri retired from the association in January 2018, several months ...
CDC, DOL Issue Interim COVID-19 Guidance for Ag Workers and Employers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have released joint guidance to protect agriculture workers from COVID-19. Agricultural employers can adopt these recommendations to protect workers at their particular work sites or in specific work operations. Western Growers is currently working with key government agencies and industry ...
Treasury Department Guidance on Paycheck Protection Program, Application Form Available
The U.S. Department of Treasury has issued guidance on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the nearly $350 billion authorized in the CARES Act (the $2.2. trillion stimulus package) to provide small businesses with funds to pay up to 8 weeks of payroll costs including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, ...
EPA Releases Temporary Guidance on Respiratory Protection for Pesticide Handlers
In response to Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) shortages in the agricultural sector, EPA is providing temporary guidance regarding respiratory protection requirements for agricultural pesticide handlers. The temporary guidance outlines approaches to address the unavailability of required respiratory protection and respiratory fit testing that should first be exhausted before considering any…
CDFA Urges Calif. Farms to Donate to Food Bank Program
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a large surge in unemployment and a rise in food insecurity in numerous communities across the country. Even in normal times, food banks play a critical role in feeding millions of Americans. Now, the demand – and urgency – is even greater. CDFA has issued a call to the ...