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
- All
- May, 2026
- April, 2026
- March, 2026
- February, 2026
- January, 2026
- December, 2025
- November, 2025
- October, 2025
- September, 2025
- August, 2025
- July, 2025
- June, 2025
- May, 2025
- April, 2025
- March, 2025
- February, 2025
- January, 2025
- December, 2024
- November, 2024
- October, 2024
- September, 2024
- August, 2024
- July, 2024
- June, 2024
- May, 2024
- April, 2024
- March, 2024
- February, 2024
- January, 2024
- December, 2023
- November, 2023
- October, 2023
- September, 2023
- August, 2023
- July, 2023
- June, 2023
- May, 2023
- April, 2023
- March, 2023
- January, 2023
- December, 2022
- November, 2022
- October, 2022
Sine Kerr Appointed as USDA State Director for Farm Service Agency in Arizona
U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins announced the latest slate of presidential appointments for key Farm Service Agency (FSA) roles, one of which includes former Arizona State Senator Sine Kerr. "Kerr serves as State Executive Director for the Farm Service Agency in Arizona. Prior to joining USDA, Sine was first appointed, then elected to the Arizona State Senate serving from 2018 to…
Open Comment Period: Cantaloupe National Guidance Document
The draft of the first section of the National Cantaloupe Guidance Document — focused on Growing, Harvesting and Post-Harvest Packing shed activities — is now open for public comment. We invite industry members, researchers and stakeholders to review the draft and provide feedback to help strengthen the development of practical, science-based food safety guidance for cantaloupe…
New Voices of the Valley: The 411 on H-2A
Curious to know how America’s farms fill the jobs that are essential for our food supply? In this episode of Voices of the Valley, we dive into the H-2A program, a vital but often misunderstood part of our agricultural workforce, with Western Growers Senior Vice President and Legal Counsel, Jason Resnick. Whether you’re new to the topic or looking to better understand the legal and…
State Water Board to Host Workshop on Groundwater Recharge Permits
The California State Water Resources Control Board’s Division of Water Rights is hosting a virtual public workshop on May 15, 2025, to discuss surface water diversions for groundwater recharge. The session is tailored for stakeholders planning recharge projects in the upcoming winter season. The workshop will cover: Temporary permits – Guidance on applying for 5-year temporary permits,…
New Resource Highlights Alarming Trends for California Agriculture
Despite being the dominant agricultural force in the U.S., California’s oppressive legislative and regulatory environment is driving food production out of the state. Western Growers has compiled key data points into a handy booklet demonstrating the steady erosion of California’s farming economy due to the cumulative financial impacts of the state’s public policy climate. Insights…
Register Today: Trade In Transition Webinar on Navigating U.S. and Canadian Tariffs
Mark your calendars! Join industry leaders and experts for a free Trade in Transition webinar designed to help businesses navigate the evolving landscape of U.S. and Canadian tariffs, hosted by Pacific Customs Brokers Ltd. This webinar will provide a timely industry analysis of the evolving situation around international trade and practical strategies for overcoming challenges in a new…
“The Green Desert” Documentary Now Available to Stream
“The Green Desert,” a documentary that gives viewers a closer look into farming practices in the arid Southwest, including the challenges of water shortages and the effects of climate change, is now available to stream on the PBS App. For more details on the documentary and where you can watch, click here. Several Western Growers members make an appearance in the documentary, including…
California’s New Statewide Pesticide Notification System Now Live
On March 24, 2025, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) launched SprayDays California, a statewide notification system that is designed to inform the public about upcoming pesticide application events. The goal of the system is to provide transparency and notifications about upcoming restricted pesticide applications. Key features of SprayDays California…
A Commitment to Soil, Water and Wildlife
Bowles Farming Company traces its roots back to the 1850s, when Cannon Michael’s third great-grandfather, Henry Miller, left his small German hometown for the fertile San Joaquin Valley in search of opportunity. But for Michael—now a sixth-generation farmer—the journey to agriculture was not as straightforward. “In my younger years, I was interested in farming, but I didn’t think it…
Saving Gentle Giants: How One Ag Family Turned Their Ranch into a Haven for Draft Horses
In the heart of the Salinas Valley, amid the rolling hills of Chualar, The Canyon House stands as a refuge for draft horses in need. Founded by Sarah Rodriguez, the sanctuary is more than a passion project—it’s a lifelong commitment to rescuing and providing a forever home for these gentle giants, many of whom were once bound for slaughter. Even with deep roots in Western Growers and…
Western Growers Joins Ag Leaders in Urging Science-Based Policies in MAHA Commission Letter
In a letter dated March 7, 2025, representatives of the food and agriculture community addressed Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin, expressing their commitment to working with the Make America Healthy Again Commission to improve health outcomes while safeguarding…
Western Growers Joins Industry and Consumer Groups in Urging FDA to Maintain Food Safety Resources
Western Growers joined a coalition of consumer, industry and public health organizations in signing a letter to U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on March 5, 2025, urging the Trump Administration to maintain critical funding and staffing for the U.S Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Human Foods Program. The letter states: Dear Secretary Kennedy: As a coalition of…
Arizona Approves Advanced Water Purification to Strengthen Drinking Water Supply
Arizona has taken a major step toward securing its water future with the approval of Advanced Water Purification (AWP) regulations. The Arizona Governor’s Regulatory Review Council (GRRC) has officially greenlit the new rules, allowing cities and water providers to apply for permits to treat and reuse water for drinking purposes. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ)…
New Voices of the Valley: The Canyon House – A Sanctuary for Draft Horses
In this Voices of the Valley episode, Sarah Rodriguez of Legacy Cooling shares the story of The Canyon House, a sanctuary where draft horses, once used for intense farm labor and carriage rides and now cast aside and destined for tragedy—can spend their days in peace. "Every horse that comes here is going to die at some point," Sarah said. "But here, they get to live their last years with…
Updated Fertilizer Guidelines for Arizona Vegetable Crops Now Available
For the first time in decades, updated fertilizer management guidelines for vegetable crops in Arizona are now available to farmers. These new guidelines have been consolidated by the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture (YCEDA) and are expected to provide much-needed support to the region’s agricultural community. According to YCEDA’s website, the guidelines “consolidate…
Register for VINE Connect Field Day on April 10
Save the date for VINE Connect Field Day on April 10, 2025, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., at the Hansen Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Camarillo, California. The event offers farmers, industry professionals and technology providers an opportunity to explore the latest advancements in agricultural technology. VINE Connect Field Day will showcase five innovative startups that are…
Register for Upcoming Invasive Fruit Fly Virtual Meeting on March 5
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and local County Agricultural Commissioners, will be hosting a virtual industry meeting on March 5 from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. to provide the latest updates on invasive fruit fly populations in California. Participants will hear directly from CDFA officials about the latest…
WG Mourns the Passing of Former Board Member Verne Crookshanks
The Western Growers Family of Companies mourns the passing of industry veteran and former WG board member Verne Crookshanks, who passed away on Feb. 15, 2025. A highly-respected figure in the fresh fruit industry, Verne had a decades-long career marked by leadership and service. Verne co-founded Venida Packing in 1977, where he served as General Manager for 33 years. Under his leadership,…
DPR Releases SprayDays Information Sheet for Growers and Pesticide Applicators
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has released a new resource ahead of the launch of SprayDays California, the state’s restricted material pesticide application notification system. This resource is designed to provide key information to growers and pesticide applicators as they prepare for the system’s rollout. The SprayDays Information Sheet for Growers and…
Western Growers’ Updated 2025 Personnel Procedures Manual Now Available
Staying compliant with agricultural labor laws can be challenging, but the 2025 Personnel Procedures Manual (PPM) is here to help. Designed for HR professionals and managers, this updated guide ensures your organization remains compliant with evolving California and Arizona labor laws. This comprehensive digital resource includes expert insights, sample forms, checklists and essential…