The not-so-subtle war being waged against California farmers by pro-labor sympathizers continued in the Assembly yesterday with the hearing of a bill that resets overtime requirements for agricultural employees. Assembly Member Lorena Gonzalez (D-San Diego) authored the legislation (AB 2757) that would repeal the longstanding 10-hour daily overtime requirement and replace it with more onerous…
Yesterday, Western Growers’ Board Member Sonny Rodriguez (The Growers’ Company — Somerton, Ariz.) and WG associate member, Phil Townsend, (Sunlund Chemical — Yuma, Ariz.) participated in the ‘Walk of the Farmworker’ tour on Arizona’s San Luis border. Hunter Moore from Arizona Governor Doug Ducey’s office and congressional staff from the offices of Arizona…
Evapotranspiration (ET) is still an abstract term for many irrigation practitioners, though recent education efforts are starting to change this perception. ET can provide an accurate estimate of potential crop water use, and can also assist with irrigation management decisions. Western Growers invites you to join our monthly informational Lunch & Learn webinar that will ...
Larry Cox, owner of Lawrence Cox Ranches in Brawley, California, became the new chairman of Western Growers. Cox assumed the reigns from Vic Smith, President and CEO of JVSmith Companies in Yuma, Arizona. The transition took place at the board meeting yesterday which occurred during the 90th Annual Meeting being held in San Diego. He ...
The following article is being reprinted courtesy of the Ventura County Agricultural Association: Please find a leaflet that is being left on employee’s vehicles at worksites or along public roads by representatives of the United Farm Workers of America, AFL-CIO (UFW). The leaflet seeks to inform agricultural employees as to whether they have heard about ...
Evapotranspiration (ET) is still an abstract term for many irrigation practitioners, though recent education efforts are starting to change this perception. ET can provide an accurate estimate of potential crop water use, and can also assist with irrigation management decisions. Western Growers invites you to join our monthly informational Lunch & Learn webinar that will ...
On January 1, 2016, the minimum wage will increase to $10 per hour. In 2013, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law the bill that would increase California’s minimum wage in two phases. For the first phase, the minimum wage for California employees rose from $8 per hour to $9 per hour beginning July 1, 2014. ...
On Nov. 2, 2015 the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its final revisions to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Western Growers submitted comments on proposed changes to the WPS in September 2014. Some of Western Growers’ concerns with the proposal were addressed in the final revisions. EPA states that the revisions to the WPS are ...
Evapotranspiration (ET) is still an abstract term for many irrigation practitioners, though recent education efforts are starting to change this perception. ET can provide an accurate estimate of potential crop water use, and can also assist with irrigation management decisions. Western Growers invites you to join our monthly informational Lunch & Learn webinar that will ...
Bayer CropScience, one of Western Growers’ Annual Meeting Platinum Sponsors, is looking to honor a grower whose thinking, practices and use of technology enhance the role of produce in creating better lives. Do you know anyone who fits that description? Specifically, the award will focus on growers whose innovations: Improve yield and quality of produce ...
FDA is holding a webinar next week on Wednesday November 23, 2015, on the Final Rules for the Foreign Supplier Verification Program (FSVP) and Third Party Auditors. These rules make importers accountable for the safety of the food they bring into the U.S. Webinar Details Monday, November 23, 2015 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. EST ...
The United States Department of Agriculture recently announced $4.8 million in grants for 74 projects spanning 39 states that support the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) efforts to connect child nutrition programs with local farmers and ranchers through its Farm to School Program. “Farm to school programs work—for schools, for producers, and for communities,” said ...
If you are interested in purchasing PCMI’s ACA Dashboard to help you with your Affordable Care Act (ACA) reporting requirements in 2016, please be aware that the last day for us to receive your signed proposal is next Tuesday, December 1, 2015. Time is ticking and your window is closing on this service to help you ...
Due to recent Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) violations on several export shipments to Taiwan, Western Growers reminds members that while the U.S. may have established tolerances on a particular pesticide/fungicide, other countries’ threshold limits may be lower or non-established. Such violations will not only place the individual shipper on enhanced surveillance, but in many cases will…
The pea leafminer (Lirigomyza langei) is considered by Japan to be a quarantine pest. Within the last month, several vegetable shipments inspected at Japanese ports were found to contain the pea leafminer. While the shipments were permitted entry following fumigation, any continuation of pest finds could result in Japan taking stricter action on entry in ...
Shippers that have sales of product destined for Ohio may be surprised to learn that they may be subject to the Ohio Commercial Activity Tax (CAT). The CAT is an annual tax imposed on “the privilege of doing business in Ohio,” measured by taxable gross receipts for product that finds its way into the state. ...
Do you have questions about water conservation? Are you ready to learn more about water conservation from world leaders in water management? Then you should register for USDA’s “Prove Solutions to Drought Stress” workshop being held in Modesto on January 12-13, 2016. The workshop will provide participants with water management strategies for perennial crops with ...
According to information recently released by the University of Arizona, the agriculture industry in Arizona contributes more than $17 billion to the state’s economy. With so much at stake, the first annual Arizona Agribusiness Roundtable was held in Mesa, Arizona today and featured Arizona Governor Doug Ducey and Director of the Arizona Department of Agriculture ...
Earlier this week, House and Senate conferees released the conference report for the reauthorization of the Highway bill. The House passed the legislation earlier today by a vote of 359 to 65 and the Senate will likely take it up Friday or early next week. Our nation’s highway and rail system are in need of ...
In an effort to better understand the labor needs required for the winter vegetable season, staff members of the Nogales and Tijuana Consulates traveled to Yuma yesterday and met with WG Board Member Sonny Rodriguez of The Growers Company in Somerton, Arizona, to discuss H-2A processes and to see the harvest in action. Andy ...