Posts By: Matthew Allen
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California DPR Proposes Pesticide-Treated Seeds Regulation: Comments Due June 29
On May 15, 2026, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) formally released a proposed regulation that aims to regulate pesticide-treated seeds planted in the state. This regulatory action by DPR is in response to a lawsuit settlement between DPR and environmental groups, requiring the state to develop and finalize a rule to label and track pesticide-treated seed use by Jan. 1,…
A Reflection on Western Growers’ Legacy of Advocacy
Honestly, I have been grappling for quite some time about what to write about for this article given we are celebrating Western Growers' 100-year anniversary. Just a little bit of pressure! Should I expound on an important bill that we are opposed to in the California Legislature? No. How about a regulation that would increase costs on our growers? No, that doesn’t seem right either. I have…
Law of Unintended Consequences
I am writing this article in early January as the California Legislature has returned to Sacramento to begin the second year of the 2025-2026 legislative session. We will be dealing with numerous bills that were held over from last year and that may or may not move forward in 2026. There will also be thousands of new bills introduced this year, many of which will have a direct impact on the…
It’s Healthy to Accept Risk
At the time of this writing, my wife and I have a beginner driver at home who is just now getting comfortable with the basics of driving. His focus is on the steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, mirrors and (hopefully) the traffic that engulfs him on his drive to school. I drew the short straw to be his main instructor, but I admit that I am thoroughly enjoying it. I’ve found it to be a great…
The Cost of Success
At the time of this writing, we are not even halfway through 2025 and yet the year has already proven to be one for the record books across several issues. This is common when a new federal administration takes office; however, the divergent views over air quality policies between the Trump Administration and California came into full view very early on and the results to date have been both…
A Look Ahead to 2025
At the time of this writing, we are awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom’s final action on the bills that have made it to his desk for either a signature or veto. We are crossing our fingers for a few additional vetoes of legislation that would impose unnecessary challenges for our growers. That said, it has still been a very successful legislative year for us. Western Growers has successfully helped to…
A Front Row Seat to Leadership and Personal Character
I’m writing this article in the middle of August 2024 and am amazed that this legislative year is already coming to an end. The years seem to be going by faster and faster, and the number of issues that our industry contends with continue to grow. That said, it’s been a very successful legislative year and I have great expectations that we can and will surmount new challenges as they…
The Confluence of Labor Activism and Risk Avoidance
I have written many times about union and labor activism in California and how their advocacy efforts have a very strong impact on legislative and regulatory activity. Likewise, I have also called out the tendency of our state government, especially at the agency level, to default to a risk avoidance strategy when dealing with everyday activities that play a critical role in helping us all…
Finally Acknowledging Reality
The 2024 legislative year is already shaping up to be one of the most challenging years for advocacy. We are only in April at the time of this writing but the volume and breadth of bills that Western Growers is advocating for to help safeguard our members’ current and future operations is staggering. That process, coupled with the fact that the state is grappling with a projected $73 billion…
Don’t Break What Works
We are all familiar with the phrase, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s a catch-all phrase that attempts to capture the understanding that your time should be spent focusing on the truly important matters that need urgent resolution. A closer look at the usage of this phrase also infers that most tasks take time and that the outcome should be worth the effort given. It’s not an…
New Regulations for Neonicotinoid Use on Crops in California
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (CDPR) has adopted new agricultural regulations for soil and foliar applications of neonicotinoid use. Effective Jan. 1, 2024, these regulations are intended to protect pollinators from the hazards associated with exposure to neonicotinoid pesticide products containing active ingredients: clothianidin dinotefuran imidacloprid …
We Have Your Back
At the time of this writing, the California Legislature has left town having completed the first year of their two-year legislative session. Those bills that successfully made their way through the legislative process are now sitting on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk awaiting action via his signature or veto. He has until October 14 to do so. WG advocates are just as actively engaged in this final…
The Importance of Science in Advocacy
Scientific principles are not just important for doctors and researchers, they are also critically important - or should be - for California policymakers and the decisions that they are involved in creating. I spend a great portion of my day reading through bills to determine whether or not the provisions will have an impact, positive or negative, on Western Growers members. I’m fascinated by…
Can California Finally Get Critical Infrastructure Built?
At the time of this writing, Gov. Gavin Newsom has submitted several budget bill proposals to the legislature that would streamline critical energy, water and transportation infrastructure projects in California. Following years of waiting on the construction of “approved” projects, the Administration has rightfully come to the conclusion that there are too many unnecessary delays in the…
The Unbridled Disregard of California’s Employers
At the time of this writing, we are well into the first year of this new two-year legislative session. WG staff have met with the new legislators, as well as their staff, and have been very busy advocating for and against proposals that will impact our membership. “Working the bills” has its own set of rules and rhythms. There’s a general order for assigning specific bills to specific…
The Need to Place Food Security Front and Center in Policy
Admittedly, I’m a light sleeper. This combined with the fact that I’m an avowed coffee drinker make for many nights that I’m left to my own quiet thoughts as my family peacefully drifts off to sleep. Although I realize that I need to get back to a regular sleep schedule, I’ve grown increasingly accustomed to this being a time for me to ponder legislation and regulations that are…
Education is Key to Successful Advocacy
At the time of this writing, the 2022-2023 two-year legislative session has been called to order in Sacramento. This represents a changing of the guard from one formal legislative season to another and, this year, a sea of change in the number of new legislators who are coming to California’s capitol. In fact, approximately a quarter of the legislature is now made up of new faces. This is both…
Labor Negotiated Supplemental Agreement to AB 2183 Signed by Gov. Newsom
Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed AB 113, which is the supplemental language that was negotiated with the Governor, the UFW, and the California Labor Federation prior to his signing of AB 2183, the card check bill. Agricultural employers were excluded from that discussion. AB 113 removes the mail-in voting option and labor-peace election procedures from the statute. Importantly, the card check,…
California Department of Pesticide Regulation to Hold Public Workshops on Development of Pesticide Application Notification System
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is holding three public workshops to collect feedback and provide an update on the development of the statewide pesticide application system. The workshops will be held on Nov. 7, Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, 2022. The workshops are scheduled at the following times and locations; registration is not required ...
Education is Key to Successful Advocacy
At the time of this writing, the 2022-2023 two-year legislative session has been called to order in Sacramento. This represents a changing of the guard from one formal legislative season to another and, this year, a sea of change in the number of new legislators who are coming to California’s capitol. In fact, approximately a ...