The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has extended the availability of its Best Management Practices (BMP) Survey until August 8, 2016. The BMPs are intended to provide clarification, guidance and examples to help GSAs develop the essential elements of a Groundwater Sustainability Plan (GSP). If you are actively involved in putting together Groundwater Sustainability Agency…
Yesterday, the California Senate Committee on Appropriations held a hearing on the agriculture overtime bill, AB 1066 (Gonzalez – D), moving the bill to the Suspense File. Senate rules allow for a bill to be moved to the Suspense File after it is deemed that implementation of the legislation would have a significant fiscal impact ...
We asked. You responded. And we heard you. In May, our Annual Meeting Survey asked members to help us identify possible workshop topics for this November’s meeting. Top on the list: Civil and Criminal Liability for Food Safety Issues. Food safety events around the country over the past decade, both in the fresh produce and ...
Yesterday, Western Growers’ President and CEO Tom Nassif was one of four business and community leaders featured on a national media call to launch the “Reason for Reform” campaign. The campaign kicked off a National Day of Action designed to urge members of Congress to enact a comprehensive immigration reform package when it convenes next ...
The Western Growers Transportation Program (WGTP) celebrates its 10 year anniversary this year. To mark this special anniversary, on Wednesday, August 24th, Western Growers is partnering with C.H. Robinson, Feeding America and other WGTP-licensed associations to hold a one-day philanthropic event to give back to communities in need. Grower-shippers can contribute to this ‘Giving…
Today, the California Senate Appropriations Committee removed the agriculture overtime bill, AB 1066 (Gonzalez – D), from the Suspense File making it eligible for a Senate floor vote as early as next week. With just a couple of weeks left in this year’s legislative session, Western Growers continues to lobby legislators on the consequences farmworkers ...
Based on early room bookings, the 91st Annual Meeting at the Grand Hyatt in Kauai from November 6-9th will be well attended. Rooms are going fast and are almost sold out! If you are planning on attending and haven’t already booked, please register for the meeting and make your room reservation today! Absentee Voting While ...
On August 9, 2016, Western Growers submitted comments to the United States Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) opposing proposed regulatory changes allowing for the importation of lemons from northwest Argentina into the continental United States. Our comments addressed APHIS’ refusal to grant a 120-day comment period extension to allow for ...
Our celebration of the Western Growers Transportation Program’s (WGTP) ten-year anniversary continues with today’s publication of C.H. Robinson’s Transportfolio’s blog guest-authored by WG Senior Executive Vice President Matt McInerney. McInerney’s piece begins by recounting how transportation issues with the railroad led a handful of Imperial Valley growers to begin the association.…
An op-ed published in the Sacramento Bee by the head of the Yolo County Farm Bureau yesterday effectively reiterates Western Growers’ opposition to AB 1066, the ag overtime bill (Gonzalez-D) that threatens the potential future earnings of farmworkers. The bill jeopardizes the available work hours and jobs of farmworkers who, according to the op-ed, “can ...
China has added the United States to the list of countries that are required to perform anti-mosquito treatment, effective August 5, 2016 (excludes shipments in transit prior to that date). The disinsection requirement appears to apply to the container or vessel and is NOT specific to the commodity. Although spelled out in the released information, ...
This afternoon, the California Senate passed AB 1066, the ag overtime bill by a vote of 21 to 14, with 4 abstentions. The bill now moves to the Assembly for consideration and could likely be voted on this week. Western Growers urges ALL members — whether they have already done so or not — to ...
Last week, USDA, Foreign Agricultural Service announced that China added the United States to the list of countries that are required to perform anti-mosquito treatments for produce imports. WG sought clarification from government officials on some vague disinsection requirements, including exemption requirements for certain temperature-controlled commodities. Those clarifications are summarized…
On August 22, 2016, a divided panel of Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals issued an opinion in Morris v. Ernst & Young holding that class action waivers in arbitration agreements violate Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and are unenforceable. Section 7 of the NLRA provides that employees have the right “to engage in . ...
The California Assembly adjourned this week taking no action on the ag overtime bill, AB 1066. The body will reconvene on Monday. Opponents of this legislation have been persistently lobbying legislators and will continue their efforts through the weekend. It is imperative for Western Growers members to reach out to your assembly member and urge ...
Yesterday, Western Growers and C.H. Robinson hosted a Giving Day to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Western Growers Transportation Program. The national event used C.H. Robinson’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, hub and transportation system to collect and distribute 240,000 pounds of produce donations made by Western Growers’ members to Feeding America locations across the country.…
After the California Assembly passed AB 1066, the ag overtime bill this afternoon by a vote of 44 Yeas, 32 Nays and 4 abstentions, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif released a statement expressing “extreme disappointment” with passage of the bill. Nassif said the legislation, coupled with the recently enacted $15/hour minimum wage in ...
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has released its response to public comments provided on the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and Huanglongbing (HLB) Disease proposed regulation changes. CDFA’s response includes suggestions for improving the regional quarantine concept. All total, 84 oral and written comments on the proposed regulation changes for citrus nursery stock…
Last week, the Colorado Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association (CFVGA) held a roundtable discussion and asked U.S. Representatives Mike Coffman (CO-6) and Ken Buck (CO-4) for assistance in fighting government overregulation. Robert Sakata, CFVGA president and WG member, hosted the event that also included Colorado Department of Agriculture Commissioner Don Brown and representatives from the…
IRVINE, Calif. (August 25, 2016) — Ten years ago, C.H. Robinson and Western Growers formed the Western Growers Transportation Program to provide supply chain solutions for fresh produce growers in North America. To celebrate the anniversary of this program, C.H. Robinson and Western Growers hosted a Giving Day on August 24, 2016, across the country, using C.H.…