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Michelle Rivera
Western Growers, Communications Manager

E: [email protected]/P: 949.885.4778 EXT 4778 Michelle Rivera serves as the Communications Manager for Western Growers, where she is responsible for ensuring effective internal and external communications for Western Growers members, industry partners and consumers across all platforms. Michelle has more than 15 years of marketing and communications experience in various industries, including adtech, consumer products […]

Posts By: Michelle Rivera

Register Today for the Western Growers Leave Law Workshop on Nov. 19

Get ready to navigate the complexities of leave laws and disability accommodations in the workplace. Registration is now open for the Western Growers workshop designed to elevate your human resource management skills. This hands-on opportunity, brought to you by Western Growers Legal Resources and Western Growers University, offers an in-depth look at federal leave requirements and the…

Western Growers Mourns the Passing of Former WG Board Member and Horse Racing Legend Don Valpredo

The Western Growers Family of Companies mourns the passing of former WG board member Donald “Don" Valpredo, a horse racing legend and beloved agricultural industry veteran. Known affectionately as “El Don,” “The Chairman” and “The Boss,” Valpredo’s entrepreneurial spirit followed in the footsteps of his father, John Valpredo, who also was known for his innovative farming. John…

A Lasting Gift: Honoring His Late Wife’s Legacy By Creating a Path for Future Nurses

Inside Western Growers Behind Western Growers are more than 400 employees who are not only dedicated to serving America’s food heroes, but also serving their communities. Here is an inside look at one of Western Growers' champions, Jeff Gullickson, President of Western Growers Insurance Services. A mother. A wife. A sister. A daughter. A friend. A tennis player. A nurse. And so much more.…

Ag Days Are Here Again at Fresno’s Fairmont Elementary

This school is redefining education through an innovative STEM program that brings local agriculture into the classroom. In his poem “The Tables Turned,” English poet William Wordsworth wrote, “Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.” That declaration is brought to life just 20 minutes outside of Fresno at Fairmont Elementary School, where children can…

Western Grower & Shipper November/December 2024 Digital Issue Available Now

The November/December 2024 digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper magazine is now available online. This issue features the articles “Think Covid Messed Up Supply Chains?” “Maximizing Employer Protections Under New PAGA,” “Tech’s Role in Feeding the World” and more. The cover article spotlights Fresno’s Fairmont Elementary School and what it’s doing to redefine…

The Reservoir Unveils First On-Farm Ag Robotics Incubators for Specialty Crops

The Reservoir, a nonprofit organization building tech incubators for California’s future, previewed its first on-farm ag robotics incubator—Reservoir Farms—for specialty crops last week. With the support of strategic partners Western Growers, UCANR, Merced Community College District, Hartnell College, and HawkTower VC for California’s future, this pioneering incubator will bring…

Free Entry for Growers at FIRA USA 2024

For the first time, growers can attend the third annual FIRA USA event, scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2024, in Woodland, California, for free. The event will showcase more than 35 robots demonstrating advancements in ag automation solutions in three demonstrations zones, more than 70 booths in the event’s exhibition hall, and an array of panel discussions, round tables and pitches from some of…

New Voices of the Valley: The Next Generation of Ag Leaders

The next generation of ag leaders are playing an important role in shaping the future of farming. California is one of the most vital agricultural regions in the world, and these emerging voices are navigating an industry influenced by climate change and the need for sustainability, water and labor shortages and advancements in agtech. We explore the California Agricultural Leadership Program…

Western Growers Mourns the Passing of Former Board Chair and Award of Honor Recipient Bill Ramsey

William “Bill” Ramsey, former partner of Mann Packing Co. Inc., died Oct. 8, 2024 at the age of 92. Bill was the Chair of the Western Growers Board of Directors in 1994 and received Western Growers’ most prestigious award, the Award of Honor, in 1999. Bill grew up in Salinas, Calif., and briefly attended Hartnell College. Following four years of service in the U.S. Navy, Bill traded his…

Register Now for the Budget Season Compensation Management Webinar

Do you work in agriculture as an HR professional, data analyst or executive and have questions about increasing minimum wages and new overtime regulations? Are you looking for practical guidance for strategic compensation management as you prepare for budgeting season? Our Budget Season Compensation Management Webinar will guide you through every step to ensure you're fully prepared for the…

FIRA USA 2024 is Almost Here

The third annual FIRA USA event is scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2024, in Woodland, California. For the first time, growers will be able to attend FIRA USA for free. The event will showcase more than 35 robots demonstrating advancements in ag automation solutions in three demonstrations zones. From weed control to fertilizer, harvesting, picking and seeding, you’ll have a front-row seat to…

Save the Date: Join WG at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in November

Western Growers is excited to announce its participation in a breakout session at the Sustainable Agriculture Summit in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Nov. 20-21, 2024. Although food safety and sustainability objectives are key priorities for growers, farming systems have not been optimized for long-term sustainability, particularly when incorporating food safety practices that are required for…

New Voices of the Valley: Sniffing Out Pests with Agriculture Detector Dogs

You may have never given today’s topic much consideration, but this is the episode you didn’t know you needed. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Western Growers' Kara Timmins and Jeana Cadby talk with CDFA entomologist Dr. Jason Leathers and canine handler Michelle King to explore the exciting world of agricultural pest detection. They’ll share why it’s so important…

Register Today for California Small Truck Fleet Virtual Focus Group

The California Small Truck Fleet Focus Group is looking for truck fleet owners and operators to share their expertise on topics that include operations, costs and industry news. The virtual focus group welcomes owners and operators of all sizes, whether you manage a small fleet of 20 or fewer trucks or are a current or former owner-operator. Topics of discussion will include: Trucking…

FDA Updates Small Entity Compliance Guide for Produce Safety Regulation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has published an updated compliance guide for small food entities regarding the preharvest agricultural water requirements of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule: “Standards for the Growing, Harvesting, Packing, and Holding of Produce for Human Consumption: What You Need to Know About the FDA Regulation: Small Entity…

Become a Mentor with the WG Women Program

Western Growers Women, a program that prepares women for positions of leadership within WG member companies and the broader fresh produce industry, is seeking experienced mentors to inspire and guide the next generation of leaders in ag. This is a perfect opportunity for professionals who want to give back and make a positive impact on someone’s career, all while expanding their network and…

See Autonomous Farming Solutions in Action at FIRA USA 2024

Growers, innovators, scientists and investors are set to come together next month at the third annual FIRA USA, a three-day gathering of autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions. Scheduled for Oct. 22-24, 2024, in Woodland, Calif., FIRA USA highlights new and emerging technology in the global ag robotics sector. The event will showcase more than 35 robots demonstrating…

Register Today: Western Growers Leave Law Webinar on Sept. 24

Registration is now open for the Western Growers webinar on leave law requirements and disability accommodations in the workplace, brought to you by Western Growers Legal Resources and Western Growers University. This is a unique opportunity to build and refine human resource management skills around employee leave laws and the employer’s duty to provide a discrimination-free…

Western Growers Urges EPA to Reject California’s Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation 

IRVINE, CALIF. (Sept. 17, 2024) - Western Growers (WG) submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday, urging it to deny the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) request to fully implement its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which mandates the transition from diesel to zero-emission trucks and other vehicles. In its comments, WG stressed the significant lack…

Tric Robotics Going the Distance

It has been said time and again that the most successful agtech startups in the agriculture industry are those that listen to the growers. For Adam Stager, Founder and CEO of TRIC Robotics, it was a grower who planted the seed and encouraged him to relocate his startup from Delaware to the Central Coast in 2021. TRIC Robotics got their start by working with the largest strawberry grower in…