This week, AgFunder highlighted the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, scheduled to open this October in Salinas. The Center will facilitate interaction, collaboration and networking opportunities between AgTech entrepreneurs, farmers and investors. It will also provide start-ups with programs and mentoring assistance to help launch their businesses successfully.…
This week, in response to water legislation he introduced last month, Western Growers sent a letter to California congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) objecting to a crop sustainability provision that would set a dangerous precedent for the agriculture industry. While the bill includes some interesting ideas, WG expressed concern over that particular provision and explained ...
This November, Western Growers will be holding our 90th Annual Meeting. The occasion not only gives us an opportunity to celebrate the history of our industry, but to contemplate its future. There may be no one more qualified to do that than former Cisco Chief Futurist, David Evans, who will provide his take on what ...
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (District) issued a Special Advisory on August 3, 2015, reminding agricultural operators farming greater than 100 contiguous acres, having 500 or more mature dairy cows, or 190 or more of any other cattle that they are required to have and implement a Conservation Management Practices Plan (CMPP) ...
What is the current status of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? Are you interested in learning more about the existing and emerging science around GMOs as well as some of the current challenges related to their use? Stay ahead of the game by joining Western Growers on August 26 for our Lunch and Learn webinar on ...
Geographically speaking, the Trinity and Klamath Rivers are worlds apart from the over-crowded population centers of Northern and Southern California. The water that collects in the Trinity River Reservoir from the confluence of these two rivers, which eventually flows south via an intricate plumbing system, has a wide range of beneficiaries, including cities, farmers and ...
On Tuesday, the Sacramento County Superior Court issued a ruling in the lawsuit brought by Monterey Coastkeeper, et al. against the State Water Resources Control Board for modifications it made to the Regional Board’s Central Coast Agricultural Order governing discharges from irrigated agricultural lands in the Central Coast region. Under the Conditional Waiver program, farmers ...
A recent decision by a United States District Court for the Southern District of New York confirms that undocumented workers are entitled to the same benefits as regular citizens under fair labor and New York Labor laws. The decision applies to a variety of work situations, including coverage under workers’ compensation laws and the Affordable Care ...
The Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) will be traveling to key agricultural areas in September 2015 to solicit input from farmworkers, employers and interested members of the public on its proposal to promulgate a rule that permits ALRB staff to visit agricultural work sites. The visits are intended for the purpose of educating farmworkers and ...
The 2015 California Wage and Benefit Survey results are now available. The survey was conducted by the Farm Employers Labor Service (FELSSM), Western Growers and several other ag organizations and provides a reference for estimating pay rates, benefits and understanding compensation structures used by California agricultural firms. Fourteen on-the-farm jobs titles from supervisor to general…
The Agricultural Plastics Recycling Conference and Trade Show starts tomorrow in San Diego and runs through August 21. The forum is being hosted by plastic recyclers, brokers, farmers, nurseries, agricultural plastic manufactures and government officials to discuss alternative solutions to using landfilling and the open burning of waste from agricultural products. Attendees will…
The Growers Shipper Association (GSA) has issued a notice to its members regarding reports that agents from Cal/OSHA, the CA Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (i.e. Labor Commissioner), U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement, and the CA Employment Development Department are conducting inspections and audits of agricultural employers in the Central Coast region. Reiterating GSA’s…
What is the current status of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)? Are you interested in learning more about the existing and emerging science around GMOs as well as some of the current challenges related to their use? Stay ahead of the game by joining Western Growers on August 26 for our Lunch and Learn webinar on GMOs. Webinar ...
A recent workers’ comp case in Texas highlights the fact that employers can be held accountable for the action or inaction of their subcontractors. The case involves a temporary roof worker who requested the use of a safety harness. The subcontractor failed to provide the worker with the harness and he subsequently fell through the roof breaking ...
A recent workers’ comp case in Texas highlights the fact that employers can be held accountable for the action or inaction of their subcontractors. The case involves a temporary roof worker who requested the use of a safety harness. The subcontractor failed to provide the worker with the harness and he subsequently fell through the roof breaking ...
The Labor Commissioner’s office recently issued an opinion letter regarding California’s new paid sick leave (PSL) law. The opinion letter addresses questions regarding how employers should provide PSL to employees who don’t work a traditional 8-hour/day schedule. The letter has special significance for agricultural employers and their employees who regularly work 10 or more hours in…
The ALRB has updated the information it issued with regard to the public hearings it is holding on a proposed rule that would permit ALRB staff to visit agricultural worksites for the purpose of educating farmworkers and supervisors about their rights and responsibilities under Agricultural Labor Relations Act. Please note the following changes to the ...
The California Supreme Court has granted review of the decision of the Fifth District Court of Appeal in Gerawan Farming, Inc. v. Agricultural Labor Relations Board. The case will consider whether the “Mandatory Mediation and Conciliation” (MMC) law is unconstitutional and, if not, may an employer oppose a certified union’s request for referral to the ...
The Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corp of Engineers will hold a webinar on Thursday, August 27 from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. EDT (4:00 to 5:00 p.m. PDT) to provide more details about the final Clean Water Rule. This webinar will provide a review of the final rule, answer some commonly asked questions, and ...
Interested in serving on CDFA’s Fertilizer Inspection Board? CDFA has announced three board vacancies they are looking to fill. Individuals interested in being considered for a board appointment should send a brief resume by August 31, 2015 to the California Department of Food and Agriculture – Feed, Fertilizer, and Livestock Drugs Regulatory Services Branch, 1220 ...