The Environmental Appeals Board (EAB) of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released their final decision and order last week regarding EPA’s request for Bayer to cancel of all uses of flubendiamide, or Belt, in the United States. The EAB essentially upheld the decision of the EPA Administrative Law Judge supporting the cancellation of Belt ...
The Roberts-Stabenow GMO labeling bill—which creates a federal labeling standard for foods containing any genetically modified ingredients—was passed by Congress early last month and signed into law by President Obama this past Friday. This bipartisan legislation will require food packages to display a text label, an electronic code, a 1-800 number or a universal logo ...
Business operations need to be vigilant in meeting safety rules and regulations as Cal/OSHA has announced they intend to increase inspections, continuing an ongoing trend. Over the last several years, Cal/OSHA inspections and violations have surged. The agency has also indicated they will adopt the newly implemented federal fine levels that will almost double current ...
On July 26, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced mandatory changes to two federal employment postings that took effect August 1, 2016 —giving employers very short notice to comply. These mandatory updates affect the Federal Minimum Wage Poster and the Employee Polygraph Protection Act Poster. All employers must have these posters displayed at ...
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology has grown significantly since it first opened its doors last December. The Center now houses 21 start-up companies who are working on groundbreaking technology. This summer, the Center welcomed six new start-up companies, all working toward developing creative solutions to agriculture’s most challenging issues. Wexus Technologies Inc.:…
Concentric Power, an inaugural resident of the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, will lead a Tech Talk seminar on August 30 to discuss how to fully optimize energy efficiency and cost structure through innovative energy-savings technology. Concentric Power’s primary focus is manufacturing and deploying high-efficiency energy modules for onsite electric power generation and…
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is rapidly gaining traction as a tool for identifying the exact origins of an illness outbreak—but what is it and how does it work? On August 25, Western Growers, in partnership with the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association, will host a free webinar briefing by the U.S. ...
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is rapidly gaining traction as a tool for identifying the exact origins of an illness outbreak—but what is it and how does it work? On August 25, Western Growers, in partnership with the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association, will host a free webinar briefing by the U.S. ...
Concentric Power will discuss how to fully optimize energy efficiency and cost structure through innovative energy-savings technology during a Tech Talk on August 30 at the WG Center for Innovation & Technology in Salinas, Calif. Concentric Power, an inaugural resident of the Center, manufactures and deploys high-efficiency energy modules for onsite electric power generation and…
Western Growers urges organic producers that rely on composted green waste in whole or in part to consider purchasing or contracting to purchase compost from their suppliers before August 22, 2016. On June 20, 2016, the federal court issued a decision in the Center for Environmental Health v. Vilsack case striking down a five-year-old federal ...
Today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule that extends the compliance dates for certain provisions in four of the seven foundational rules of the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). These changes are part of FDA’s efforts to ensure the feasibility of implementation of the rules while still protecting public health. ...
Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is rapidly gaining traction as a tool for identifying the exact origins of an illness outbreak—but what is it and how does it work? On August 25, Western Growers, in partnership with the Produce Marketing Association and the United Fresh Produce Association, will host a free webinar briefing by the U.S. ...
In an effort to develop programs that prepare tomorrow’s highly-skilled workforce for jobs in the industry, Western Growers has collaborated with Hartnell College to gauge the needs of Ag employers through an Agricultural Sector Labor Market Survey. The results of the survey will be used to help tailor Hartnell’s Science Technology Engineering and Math (“STEM”)-based ...
On Tuesday, the Assembly approved SB32—the climate change legislation that would increase and make permanent statewide greenhouse gas emission reductions mandates. SB32 would set a new statewide goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030. The current climate law, AB32, required the state to reach 1990 levels ...
For the second year, Western Growers will be showcasing the latest agricultural technologies during the Innovation Arena II workshop at the 91st Annual Meeting in Kauai. Innovation Arena II will introduce attendees to cutting-edge technological innovations and specialized services designed to help you manage scarce resources, overcome intense regulatory and marketplace pressure and deliver…
The Western Growers 2016 HR Practices and Compensation Survey is now closed and the final results will be available for purchase in late September. As a special thank you for contributing to the 2016 survey, Western Growers randomly selected one participant to receive a 16 GB iPad Air2. The winner is Veronica Luna of Rancho ...
Sales team expanded to support growing demand for risk management solutions IRVINE, Calif. (August 9, 2016) – Western Growers is proud to announce that Sean Reardon has joined the insurance services team as Sales Executive. Reardon brings more than 12 years of experience in accelerating company profitability through insurance sales and building innovative risk management ...
Agtech startups can now apply to compete for invaluable ag industry resources IRVINE, Calif. (August 29, 2016) – Western Growers (WG) officially launched the second annual Innovation Arena Competition today, which will offer six agtech start-up companies an opportunity to compete for two winning prizes and invaluable exposure to the nation’s leading agricultural operations. The ...
On a late summer afternoon more than 50 years ago, Miles and Garland Reiter had just finished up a hard day’s work on the farm and jumped into their Jeep to head to the barn. Garland dared his older brother Miles to hop onto the back of the car and when he did, Garland hit ...
Old town Salinas was transformed into an agtech hub on July 13-14 when the most ambitious and auspicious of innovations were showcased during the 2016 Forbes AgTech Summit. This exciting event brought together more than 600 fresh produce leaders, Silicon Valley’s technology industry, entrepreneurs and venture capitalists to network and discuss solutions to the most ...