The IRS recently issued a notice granting an extension of the 1095-B and 1095-C reporting. Specifically, the notice extends the due date for furnishing the 2016 Form 1095-B, Health Coverage, and the 2016 Form 1095-C, Employer-Provided Health Insurance Offer and Coverage, from January 31, 2017, to March 2, 2017. Following consultation with stakeholders, the Department of…
The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) welcomes three new agtech start-up companies: Aeroptic LLC, AgTech Industries and Tailwater Systems, Inc. These three new startups join 22 other innovation companies who are all developing technologies to help solve agriculture’s most pressing challenges such as labor availability, water quality, food security and water…
Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) was featured in yesterday’s edition of PBS NewsHour, highlighting Western Growers’ efforts in accelerating the development of agricultural technologies. PBS’ Special Correspondent Cat Wise travelled to Salinas, Calif. to take a look at some high-tech innovations being used to improve production. In the segment, Wise spoke to…
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing additional training to help members stay in compliance. Training will be offered January 4-6 in Yuma, Arizona, and February 1-3 in Brighton, Colorado. Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California for the new FDA Preventive Controls ...
Join Western Growers this Thursday (December 8, 2016) for the HeavyConnect Tech Talk® centering on paperless time and attendance in the field. HeavyConnect, one of the Western Grower’s Center for Innovation & Technology’s inaugural residents, builds simple and efficient apps that save time. HeavyConnect simplifies the workday by removing paperwork from the field operation and ...
Revisions to the federal worker protection regulations for pesticides, the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), will go into effect on Jan. 2, 2017. Many employers already implement record keeping and training, similar to what is required by the new standard. However, as previously reported in Spotlight, there are a number of new obligations resulting from the rule. ...
Tomorrow will be the last day last day the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be accepting public comments on the recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools. Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect their operations, as DPR will use this input ...
Western Growers is pleased to announce a collaborative effort with Trace Genomics to help members gain insights into how soil biology management can help suppress diseases and increase productivity. Trace Genomics is a pioneering startup that is integrating deep expertise in genomics, molecular biology, plant pathology, and data science to unleash the potential of genomics ...
With seven FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations now in effect, Western Growers will be hosting a webinar on December 21 to provide an overview of the regulations as well as key implementation and compliance considerations. Enacted in 2011, FSMA regulations will have a tremendous impact on produce companies’ food safety practices. Depending on ...
With seven FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) regulations now in effect, Western Growers will be hosting a webinar tomorrow to provide an overview of the regulations as well as key implementation and compliance considerations. Enacted in 2011, FSMA regulations will have a tremendous impact on produce companies’ food safety practices. Depending on where your ...
Western Growers (WG) is working to assemble a group of pest control and crop advisors to assist in the prioritization, development and implementation of WG activities to advance and defend crop protection chemistries important to fruit, nut and vegetable growers in California, Arizona and Colorado. The initiative is being led by the WG Science and ...
With the pending transition to the Trump administration, there may be changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare. Western Growers Insurance Services is well-positioned to guide you through these possible changes as they unfold and is committed to helping you understand what these changes will mean for your businesses. For the past five ...
Western Growers is pleased to announce a collaborative effort with Trace Genomics to help members gain insights into how soil biology management can help suppress diseases and increase productivity. Trace Genomics is a pioneering startup that is integrating deep expertise in genomics, molecular biology, plant pathology, and data science to unleash the potential of genomics ...
The California Department of Industrial Relations released a Frequently Asked Questions guidance document to address specific questions relating to SB 3, the new minimum wage law that takes effect on January 1, 2017. The FAQs include information about what minimum wage rate applies to your workplace (as it relates to the number of employees), the ...
IRVINE, Calif., (December 5, 2016) — Statement by Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif in support of the bipartisan California water deal as part of the FY17 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): “A wise proverb reads: ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ For the last several years, rural communities and ...
IRVINE, Calif. (December 10, 2016) — Statement by Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif commending the Senate for its passage of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) and urging the President to quickly sign the bill into law: “For the past several years, Californians have looked to Congress to help bring ...
As leis laid strewn about the hotel rooms, conference rooms were being cleared out and members said their goodbyes, one thing remained certain after Western Growers 91st Annual Meeting in Kaua‘i: the collective commitment to protecting the future of Arizona, California and Colorado family farmers remains as strong as ever. During this year’s Annual Meeting, ...
What do an autonomous de-weeder, soil health tests and a robotic harvester all have in common? They were among the innovative technologies “pitched” during Innovation Arena II at Western Growers 91st Annual Meeting in Kaua‘i. Six start-up companies—all developing innovative solutions to agriculture’s most pressing challenges—brought their “A” game to the second annual…
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing additional training to help members stay in compliance. Training will be offered January 4-6 in Yuma, Arizona, and February 1-3 in Brighton, Colorado. Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California for the new FDA Preventive Controls for ...