Posts By: Stephanie Metzinger

Changes in Reporting First Aid Claims Now in Effect

As of January 2017, insurers are now required to report all claims to the California Workers’ Compensation Insurance Rating Bureau (WCIRB). These include claims for which any medical care is provided and medical costs are incurred, including those involving first aid treatment, even if the insurer did not make the payment.  Businesses in California who previously made…

FSMA Training in Colorado in February

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.  Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California, for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, which is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of ...

Revised Federal Worker Protection Standard Now in Effect

The revisions to the federal worker protection regulations for pesticides, the Worker Protection Standard (WPS), went into effect on January 2, 2017, as originally scheduled. This follows the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) denial of a petition from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture and American Farm Bureau to delay the January 2, 2017…

Trace Genomics Partners with WG to Advance Soil Microbial Health Initiative

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 ...

1095-B and 1095-C Reporting Deadline Extended to March 2

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…

APMA 37th Annual Forum Early Bird Registration Rate EXPIRES TODAY

Join the Agricultural Personnel Management Association (APMA) for the 37th Annual Forum, January 25 – 27, 2017, at the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa. The early bird registration rate and hotel room block expires today, January 5, 2017. WG Vice President and General Counsel Jason Resnick will launch this three-day annual conference by leading a comprehensive ...

THRIVE Taps WG Leaders for AgTech Open Innovation Forum

Tom Nassif, Western Growers president & CEO; Bruce Taylor, Taylor Farms CEO; and Kevin Murphy, Driscoll’s Berries’ CEO have been tapped to share expert insight on the future of agtech and agriculture during the THRIVE AgTech Open Innovation Forum on February 1. Open Innovation at THRIVE AgTech offers startups and corporations the opportunity to identify, ...

Airbnb of Farm Equipment Leads Tech Talk on January 24

HarvestPort, one of 27 agtech startups in the WG Center for Innovation & Technology, will be leading a Tech Talk on January 24 where they will demonstrate new technology that will helps farmers monetize idle equipment during their off-season. This Tech Talk will be available both online and in person at the Center in Salinas, ...

Protect Your Growing Operation from the Floods with Crop Protection

With the anticipated January floods of 2017, don’t let inclement weather devastate your growing operations. Crop insurance is still available for a variety of crops this year. The upcoming storms are predicted to be the largest that we’ve received in the past 10 years. Between 1995 and 1997, when heavy rains were causing severe flooding, ...

Food Safety Training in Colorado in February

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.  Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California, for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, which is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of ...

Airbnb of Farm Equipment Leads Tech Talk Next Week

HarvestPort, one of 27 agtech startups in the WG Center for Innovation & Technology, will be leading a Tech Talk on January 24 where they will demonstrate new technology that will helps farmers monetize idle equipment during their off-season. This Tech Talk will be available both online and in person at the Center in Salinas, ...

Food Safety Training in Colorado – Registration Deadline Approaching

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.  Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California, for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, which is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of ...

Washington Post Emphasizes Produce Safety over Pesticide Fear

Yesterday, the Washington Post published an article highlighting how “a diet rich in fruits and vegetables outweighs the risks of pesticides.” The story reflects the Alliance for Food and Farming, USDA and Western Growers messaging: U.S. fruits and vegetables are safe and we should all be consuming more, regardless if conventionally, or organically grown. Washington ...

WG Center for Innovation & Technology Celebrates One Year

Nearly 80 agtech entrepreneurs, community leaders and pioneers in the agricultural industry came together yesterday to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology®. The Center first opened its doors on December 10, 2015, with six agtech start-up companies. In just one year, the Center has transformed into a hub ...

Food Safety Training in Colorado – Registration Deadline on Wednesday

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.  Last October, WG offered training in Salinas, California, for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule, which is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of ...

Airbnb of Farm Equipment Leads Tech Talk on Tuesday — Register Today

HarvestPort, one of 27 agtech startups in the WG Center for Innovation & Technology, will be leading a Tech Talk on January 24 where they will demonstrate new technology that will helps farmers monetize idle equipment during their off-season. This Tech Talk will be available both online and in person at the Center in Salinas, ...

Last Day to Register for Food Safety Training in Colorado is TOMORROW

The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing additional training to help the produce industry stay in compliance.  WG offered training for the new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule in Salinas, California last October and Yuma, Arizona earlier in January. This new FDA ...

Due Date for 1095-B and 1095-C Reporting Has Been Extended

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…

Produce Testing Benefits and Challenges to be Discussed During Tuesday’s Lunch & Learn

While product testing is used extensively by the food industry, several technical and operational challenges still remain for the fresh produce industry. During Tuesday’s Lunch & Learn webinar, Dr. Trevor Suslow of UC Davis will highlight how the produce industry can utilize product testing.  Product testing is a valuable tool and can be part of ...

Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology Celebrates One Year of AgTech Success

IRVINE, Calif., (January 18, 2017) — Today, the Western Growers’ Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) celebrates its one-year anniversary as a premier technology incubator aimed at bringing entrepreneurs together with farmers to develop innovative solutions to the biggest challenges facing agriculture. The WGCIT first opened its doors on December 10, 2015, with six…