Posts By: Stephanie Metzinger

FDA Finalizes Safety Rule for Transporting Food

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has finalized a new food safety rule that will help prevent food contamination during transportation. Depending on the business size,  compliance dates begin as soon as one year after publication in the Federal Register. Under this rule, anyone transporting human and animal food—including shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers— ...

Voice Your Opinion on Fumigation Notification Requirements

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be holding two workshops in April to gather input from stakeholders to help determine what notification is appropriate when field fumigation occurs. Western Growers has been vocal about the direction DPR is headed and will continue to express serious concerns on the issue. Western Growers’ members are encouraged ...

WG to Offer Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops in May

It has been mandated in California, since January 1, 2015, that California businesses must train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct.” The regulations by the Fair Employment and Housing Council include instructions for employers to: Define “abusive conduct” as malicious behaviors that can include the repeated use of derogatory remarks, insults, and verbal or ...

Fumigation Notification Requirements to Be Discussed by DPR, Stakeholders

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be holding two workshops next week to gather input from stakeholders to help determine what notification is appropriate when field fumigation occurs. Western Growers has been vocal about the direction DPR is headed and will continue to express serious concerns on the issue. Western Growers’ members are encouraged ...

Professional Compensation & HR Practices Surveys Now Open

Western Growers’ 7th Annual Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey is now open! WG members can start inputting their data on the Survey website. Data collected will help you attract and retain the best employees in in California and Arizona’s produce industry by providing you with data needed keep your compensation competitive. By participating in ...

ADA Hosts Meeting on April 12 to Garner Feedback on FSMA Enforcement

Western Growers members are invited to participate in a discussion with the Arizona Department of Agriculture (ADA) to help determine who will implement and enforce the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) Produce Safety Rule in Arizona—the ADA or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Implementation of the FSMA Produce Safety Rule will result in ...

New “Dirty Dozen” List Targets Another Kid Favorite Fruit

The 2016 “dirty dozen” list was released yesterday, and to no surprise, it again misleads consumers about pesticide residues and produce. In an effort to re-spark interest in the “dirty dozen,” the Environmental Working Group (EWG) placed a new kid-popular, nutritious fruit at the top of the list: strawberries. “We aren’t surprised that EWG has ...

Employers Urged to Protect Outdoor Workers from Record-Breaking Heat Wave

California heat of the past several years has shattered temperature records going back more than 100 years. With this year’s heat season approaching, please remember that prevention is the best defense for outdoor workers against heat-related illness and death. Cal/OSHA will be targeting industries—such as agriculture, landscaping and construction—during inspections to check for…

WGCIT Launches Blog, Gains New Innovators and Sponsor

Since its official launch in December 2015, Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) has quickly become the “go to” place for where innovation meets agriculture. Recently, the WGCIT launched WG 2.0: The WGCIT AgTech Blog to provide insight into everything from how tech gurus develop innovative products to the steps entrepreneurs take to get their ...

WG Campaign Educates Nearly 2,000,000 about Lost CA Water

Western Growers has moved the needle on the effort to educate Californians about the billions of gallons of water being lost to sea and the need to pump and store more El Niño waters. Nearly 2,000,000 people saw the video that was created as the centerpiece of the digital media campaign Western Growers launched last ...

What is the Buzz about Pollinators? New Lunch & Learn Webinar

In recent years, the number of pollinators appears to be in decline due to various factors. Western Growers’ members can learn more about current issues surrounding pollinators and best practices to sustain their services during the next Lunch & Learn webinar on April 27. Pollinators are an essential component of both natural and agricultural ecosystems. While ...

Jim Leimkuhler, John Wilkinson Join WGAT Board of Trustees

Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT), our associated health plan, welcomes Jim Leimkuhler, president of Progressive Produce LLC, and John Wilkinson, president of BlazerWilkinson, as the two newest inductees to its Board of Trustees. Leimkuhler and Wilkinson will join seven other industry leaders to serve as the governing body that guides the decisions of WGAT as ...

WG Members Invited to PMA Tech Knowledge

Western Growers’ members are invited to explore new technologies and innovations during the third annual Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Tech Knowledge Symposium on May 17-19 in Santa Clara, Calif. At the event, entrepreneurs and solution providers can connect with potential investors during the “What’s the Pitch?” session, made possible by the Western Growers Center for ...

Heat Illness Training Available for WG Members

As summer approaches, it is important to revisit Cal/OSHA regulations to help protect outdoor workers against heat-related illness and death. The State Compensation Insurance Fund has partnered with Cal/OSHA to offer Heat Illness Prevention Seminars free to the public on April 28-29 and May 19.  The seminars will cover the requirements employers must meet to ...

FSMA Safety Rule for Transporting Food Webinar – April 25

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will host a webinar on April 25 to discuss key pieces of the Food Safety Modernization Act Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food. Under this rule, anyone transporting human and animal food—including shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers—must follow sanitary transportation procedures, such as properly ...

What is the Buzz about Pollinators? Lunch & Learn Webinar on April 27

In recent years, the number of pollinators appears to be in decline due to numerous factors. Western Growers will host a Lunch & Learn webinar on April 27 where members can learn more about current issues surrounding pollinators and best practices to sustain their services. Pollinators are an essential component of both natural and agricultural ...

May 6 Silicon Valley Conference Details Latest in AgTech

On May 6, the Third Annual 2016 Silicon Valley AgTech Conference will bring together farmers, technologists, venture capitalists and governmental representatives to discuss how technology will affect farming. Western Growers’ members are invited to attend at a special discounted rate of 20 percent. The AgTech Conference, which is hosted by Royse Law Firm, will share ...

Professional Compensation & HR Practices Surveys Now Open – Sign Up Today!

Western Growers’ 7th Annual Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey is now open! WG members can start inputting their data on the Survey website. Data collected will help you attract and retain the best employees in in California and Arizona’s produce industry by providing you with data needed keep your compensation competitive. By participating in the ...

What is the Buzz about Pollinators? Lunch & Learn Webinar TOMORROW

In recent years, the number of pollinators appears to be in decline due to various factors. Western Growers will host a Lunch & Learn webinar on April 27 where members can learn more about current issues surrounding pollinators and best practices to sustain their services. Pollinators are an essential component of both natural and agricultural ...

“Pesticide Ban Near Schools Would Devastate Farms” Op-Ed in Sac Bee

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is in the midst of developing new rules that would restrict pesticide use near schools, and farmers are making their voice heard. Yesterday, the Sacramento Bee published an op-ed by Pete Aiello, owner and operator of Uesugi Farms [a WG member], that details the detrimental effect this ban would ...