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 […]
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CARB Halts Enforcement of Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation
On Thursday, Dec. 28, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) issued a notice that it will not enforce its Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation until the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) grants a waiver applicable to those regulatory provisions or determines one is not necessary. Although the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation has been put on hold, CARB is urging “fleets to…
CDFA Now Accepting Applications for Healthy Soils Program Incentive Grants
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is making available approximately $12 million in grant funding for Healthy Soils Program (HSP) Incentive Grants. The program’s objectives are “to increase statewide implementation of conservation management practices that improve soil health, sequester carbon and reduce atmospheric greenhouse gases,” according to a press release…
WGCIT Hosts Last “Welcome Wagon” of 2023
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas hosted its last “Welcome Wagon” of the year this week to onboard its newest startups to join the Center. Turlock Fruit Company General Manager Neill Callis and WGCIT Director Dennis Donohue welcomed the innovators, discussing the latest agtech initiatives at Western Growers and the best ways for startups to engage…
Rod Braga’s Fresh Take on Sustainability
For farmers, maintaining and improving the land is not a task that can be addressed and set aside after a few years. Farmers have a generational perspective, with a history of their land that can span 25, 50, 75 years and beyond. Braga Fresh President and CEO Rod Braga’s dedication to this approach has established him as an industry leader and trailblazer in sustainable agriculture. “I…
Viticulturalist Steve McIntyre Joins the WGCIT for November Lunch & Learn
The Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) in Salinas welcomed Steve McIntyre, owner and operator of Monterey Pacific and proprietor of McIntyre Vineyards, as the speaker for its November Lunch & Learn event. Once considered a black sheep in his family for studying wine, McIntyre is today considered one of the most knowledgeable viticulturists in California, with two…
Stay Informed: USDA Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program Webinar
Farmers and producers in California are invited to join the CDFA for a briefing on the USDA Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program (FLSP), with special guest Silvia Fabela, Senior Advisor on Labor for the Office of Secretary Vilsack. The webinar will take place on Friday, Nov. 17, 2023, at 10 a.m. and will cover topics that include eligibility, competitiveness, recruitment,…
Western Grower & Shipper Magazine November/December Digital Edition is Available Now
The November/December digital issue of the Western Grower & Shipper Magazine is available for online viewing. The feature article “Rod Braga’s Fresh Take on Sustainability” details his family’s multigenerational approach to preserving the land, which has helped to establish Rod as an industry leader and trailblazer in sustainable agriculture. President & CEO Dave Puglia…
Register Now for the Organic Grower Summit on Nov. 29-30
Registration is open for the sixth annual Organic Grower Summit, which will take place on Nov. 29-30, 2023, at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa in Monterey, Calif. Presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network (OPN), the Organic Grower Summit (OGS) is designed to provide information vital for organic growers and producers as well as an overview of the opportunities…
Gov. Newsom Signs Bill to Extend Paid Sick Days for California Workers
On Oct. 4, 2023, California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 616 by Sen. Lena Gonzalez (D-Long Beach) to increase workers’ paid sick leave from three days to five days per year. The bill, which goes into effect on Jan. 1, 2024, will also increase the number of accrued paid sick days employees can carry over into the next year. Gov. Newsom’s Office explained the significance of the bill: …
WGCIT’s Dennis Donohue Moderates CSUMB Greater Vision Panel, Joined by CDFA Secretary Karen Ross
California State University-Monterey Bay held its Greater Vision event this week, a forum on agriculture sponsored through a partnership between CSUMB and the Grower Shipper Association Foundation. Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology (WGCIT) Director Dennis Donohue was on-hand to moderate its first panel, featuring keynote speaker Karen Ross, Secretary of the California…
AgtechX Ed Summit Focuses on Next Generation of Tech-Savvy Ag Workers
Last week, the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) hosted AgtechX Ed at Mt. San Antonio College as part of an ongoing initiative to develop the next generation of tech-savvy agricultural workers. The half-day event comprised three engaging panels, focusing on industry skills and identification; education…
Canadian Food Inspection Agency Reimplements Temporary Import Testing Requirements for Romaine Lettuce Grown in Salinas Valley
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is implementing temporary Safe Food for Canadians license conditions for importing romaine lettuce, including salad mixes that contain romaine lettuce, from the Salinas Valley. The temporary license conditions will be in effect from Sept. 28 to Dec. 20, 2023. During this period, importers are required to provide negative E. coli 0157 test results for…
Volunteers Needed to Review Pre-Applications for Specialty Crop Research Initiative
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is recruiting industry representatives (growers, packers, shippers, staff from organizations who represent specialty crops, and other stakeholder experts) to serve as relevance reviewers for pre-applications for the 2025 Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI). NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension…
Employers, Are You Ready for Open Enrollment?
Open enrollment is right around the corner, and unfortunately for most U.S. adults, this can bring about a level of anxiety that rivals the process of moving to a new home or starting a new job. But does open enrollment need to be an annual headache? Certainly not. It’s important for employers to streamline the process for everyone involved—and that starts with making sure employees…
Western Growers Welcomes Joelle Mosso as Associate Vice President, Science Programs
Western Growers welcomes Joelle Mosso as Associate Vice President, Science Programs. Joelle is a seasoned scientist with a passion for pathogenic food microbiology, risk assessment and working toward practical solutions for the food industry. She brings to Western Growers her expertise in the produce and food testing industries, and a track record of contributing to innovative food safety…
Save the Date: 2024 Salinas Biological Summit
Mark your calendars! The second annual Salinas Biological Summit will take place on June 25-26, 2024. Presented by Western Growers and Wharf42, the Salinas Biological Summit brings together leading industry experts, agricultural businesses and innovators to share knowledge, insights and best practices in science-based biological solutions. Following feedback from June 2023’s sold-out…
Sowing Seeds of Leadership
Perfecting the art of seeing things from all perspectives takes an incredible amount of skill and empathy, but having firsthand knowledge of these varying viewpoints contributes to a well-rounded comprehension of the complete picture. Such is the case for Timothy Escamilla. Like many who find themselves working in agriculture today, Timothy got his introduction to farming because of his family.…
AZDA COVID Cost-Share Reimbursement Program Ending Sept. 30, 2023
There’s still time to submit your reimbursement application for COVID-related expenses for the Arizona Department of Agriculture (AZDA) Specialty Crop Block Grant COVID Cost-Share Reimbursement Program (COVID-CSRP), which ends Sept. 30, 2023. The cost-share reimbursement program aims to provide financial relief for some expenses associated with COVID. Qualified applicants may receive…
WG Member Discount Available for 2023 Organic Grower Summit
This year’s Organic Grower Summit will take place on Nov. 29-30, 2023 in Monterey, Calif., at the Hyatt Regency Monterey Hotel & Spa, and tickets are now available for purchase. Presented by Western Growers and the Organic Produce Network, the Organic Grower Summit is a must-attend event for growers looking to gain firsthand knowledge and information in areas ranging from agtech to food…
WG Member Profile: Fresh Kist Produce LLC
Fresh Kist Produce LLC | Member since 2000 The saying “there is strength in numbers” resonates with all of us. Fresh Kist Produce LLC was founded on this very principle of unity and collaboration and continues to embrace it as the foundation for its continued success. Headquartered in Guadalupe, Calif., Fresh Kist Produce was established in 2000 when a collective group of grower-shippers…