Posts By: Stephanie Metzinger

Update on Insecticide Sulfoxaflor

Last November, EPA issued a cancellation order for the insecticide sulfoxaflor, the active ingredient in Sequoia, Closer and Transform, after the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals held that EPA did not have sufficient data on risks to pollinators. Sulfoxaflor is in a new class of chemistry with a favorable risk profile that is effective against ...

Make Your Voice Heard on Pesticide Use Near Schools Regulation

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be holding three public hearings to gather stakeholder input about a recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools and child daycare centers. Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to participate in these hearings and voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect operations, as DPR ...

Western Growers Engages Dennis Donohue to Lead Center for Innovation & Technology®

Dennis Donohue, former mayor of Salinas, will work with Western Growers to further develop the Western Growers’ Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) into a premier agtech startup incubator. In this role, Donohue will drive agtech initiatives, bolster innovation programming, further facilitate relationships between start-up companies and growers and spearhead business development at…

Comments Filed on Treasury’s Estate Tax Proposed Regulation

Yesterday, Western Growers participated in comments filed by the Family Business Estate Tax Coalition on recent proposed regulatory changes by the Department of Treasury and Internal Revenue Service.   The proposed regulatory change would have a significant impact on estate planning and estate tax burdens. The regulations would impair a family owned business’s ability to ...

Voice Your Opinion on Pesticide Use Near Schools Regulation During Workshops This Week

The Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will be holding three public hearings to gather stakeholder input about a recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools and child daycare centers. Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to participate in these hearings and voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect operations, as DPR ...

Western Growers 91st Annual Meeting Bolsters Commitment to Common Cause

[VIDEO::https://youtu.be/ECKdgOrqjkA::aVideoStyle] Aloha! When the Western Growers 91st Annual Meeting in Kaua‘i concluded last week, one thing remained certain: the collective commitment to protecting the future of Arizona, California and Colorado family farmers remains as strong as ever.   Attendees had the opportunity to gain further insight into the state of affairs in both the…

Q&A with Cox and Duda: Passing of the Gavel

[VIDEO::https://youtu.be/sugQxamhiw4::aVideoStyle] The Annual Meeting kicked off with the Board Meeting where Sammy Duda, vice president of operations for Duda Farm Fresh Foods in Salinas, CA, was elected 2017 chairman of the board. Duda replaces outgoing chairman Larry Cox, owner of Lawrence Cox Ranches in Brawley, CA. We had a chance to catch up with these ...

AgTech Innovation Arena: Ready, Set, Pitch!

[VIDEO::https://youtu.be/n6On0zv97E4::aVideoStyle] Six agtech start-up companies (all of whom are developing innovative solutions to agriculture’s most pressing challenges) competed in the Innovation Arena II where they “pitched” their ideas and technologies to a panel of judges and the audience for the coveted prize of a complimentary one-year membership with Western Growers and an…

Q&A with Chef Tabura: Accentuating Local Flavors in Delectable Dishes

[VIDEO::https://youtu.be/hrDFfaIiovQ::aVideoStyle] During the Top Chef Workshop, Chef Adam Tabura showed the crowd how to incorporate local flavors and fresh produce in delicious and nutritious dishes. The attendees even had the opportunity to taste his creations after each demonstration! With more than 20 years of experience in cooking, Chef Adam is armed with a wealth of ...

Applications Open for WG Center for Innovation & Technology® Scholarship Program

In July, Wells Fargo awarded a $30,000 grant to the Western Growers Foundation to establish a scholarship fund for agtech startups. The application period for the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) Scholarship Program officially opened today. This is arguably the first scholarship program of its kind in that it provides the winner ...

Reporting Deadline for 1095-B and 1095-C Now 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 ...

Farm Management Innovation Discussed During Dec. 8 Tech Talk

Join Western Growers on 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 ...

Take Action on Pesticide Use Near Schools Regulation

The last public hearing to gather stakeholder input about Department of Pesticide Regulation’s recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools will be on December 1, 2016 in Salinas. Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to participate in this hearing and voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect operations, as DPR will ...

Tech Talk: HeavyConnect Discusses Farm Management Technology on Dec. 8

Join Western Growers on 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 ...

Last Public Hearing on Pesticide Use Near Schools Regulation is Thursday

The last public hearing to gather stakeholder input about Department of Pesticide Regulation’s recently proposed regulation on agricultural pesticide use near schools will be on December 1, 2016 in Salinas. Western Growers’ members are highly encouraged to participate in this hearing and voice their concerns about how this regulation would affect operations, as DPR will ...

USDA Releases New Pesticide Data Report

The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its latest Pesticide Data Program (PDP) report, revealing that 99 percent of the samples tested had pesticide residues well below the tolerances established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), with 15 percent having no detectable pesticide residue. The report is based on data from 2015. The PDP tested a ...

New Nassif Notes Blog Highlights “What Trump’s Election Means for Agriculture”

In the latest entry of Nassif Notes, Western Growers President & CEO Tom Nassif pens about his views on how the new administration will impact agriculture. Nassif details how “President-elect Trump is aligned with agriculture on many issues, including the need to rebalance the regulatory climate for American farmers, especially those in the West who ...

PRESS RELEASE: Western Growers Engages Dennis Donohue to Lead Center for Innovation & Technology®

Industry Veteran Brings Nearly Three Decades of Experience in Agriculture and AgTech  IRVINE, Calif., (November 2, 2016) — Dennis Donohue, former mayor of Salinas, will work with Western Growers to further develop the Western Growers’ Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) into a premier agtech startup incubator. In this role, Donohue will drive agtech initiatives, ...

PRESS RELEASE: Western Growers Seeks Startups for $30,000 AgTech Scholarship

IRVINE, Calif. (November 17, 2016) – The application period opened today for Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology® (WGCIT) Scholarship Program. This is arguably the first scholarship program of its kind in that it provides the winner with residence at one of the country’s premier agtech incubators designed to assist start-up companies who are ...

WG Welcomes New Members

We would like to recognize and thank the following new members for joining the Western Growers’ family. Your patronage and support is greatly appreciated. We look forward to working with you and your employees through this upcoming year and beyond!  Members who joined the beginning of this year through this past fall are as follows: ...