The new FDA Preventive Controls for Human Food rule is intended to ensure safe manufacturing/processing, packing and holding of food products for human consumption in the United States. The regulation requires that certain activities must be completed or overseen by a “preventive controls qualified individual.” One way to meet the requirements for a “preventive controls ...
Last week, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) released a proposed regulation restricting pesticide use near schools, including a ¼ mile restriction on certain pesticide applications and new notification requirements. This regulation is slated to take effect in September 2017. California’s growers recognize and value the importance of applying pesticides in a manner that…
Last month, Western Growers officially expanded its Careers in Ag program to California Community Colleges. The program, which originally started with STEM scholars from California State University and University of California, was developed to encourage college students to pursue a career in agriculture and provide them with the resources needed to become the next generation ...
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing resources and offering training to help members stay in compliance. Many of the final rules may impact Western Growers’ (WG) members depending on their size, commodities produced, type of operation and activities conducted, including the donation ...
On Nov. 2, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published its final revisions to the Worker Protection Standard (WPS). There are a number of new obligations resulting from the rule. Last November, Western Growers released a fact sheet with information comparing the new standard to the old standard. EPA also made available a review and ...
SWIIM System will lead a Tech Talk seminar on October 25, 2016, to explain and demonstrate how its innovative technology can help farmers increase net income by efficiently planning, managing and tracking their crop-water budget. SWIIM’s turn-key solution allows it to act as its client’s on-farm water accountant, enabling agricultural water users to optimize water ...
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing resources and offering training to help members stay in compliance. Many of the final rules may impact Western Growers’ (WG) members depending on their size, commodities produced, type of operation and activities conducted, including the donation ...
Ken Cooper has joined Western Growers as the new Director of Risk Strategy, where he will head the expansion and implementation of comprehensive risk management strategies. As the lead for the Western Growers Risk Resources Team, Cooper will spearhead the development of innovative on-site and virtual solutions that are customized to meet the loss control ...
The FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) rules and provisions are already in effect, and Western Growers is providing resources and offering training to help members stay in compliance. Many of the final rules may impact Western Growers’ (WG) members depending on their size, commodities produced, type of operation and activities conducted, including the donation ...
There has been a significant increase in investments of agriculture technology (also known as “agtech”) over the past few years. Western Growers will be hosting an industry webinar on October 26, 2016, to help interested parties explore new agtech venture opportunities. In 2015, investments in agtech startups rose to $4.6 billion—almost doubling 2014’s $2.36 billion ...
Western Growers is collaborating with Hartnell College to offer a train-the-trainer course on November 14-15, 2016, in Irvine and on November 17-18 in Salinas. This training effort is meant to develop a cadre of trainers able to teach the PSA training for growers. The Produce Safety Rule, which is now in effect, establishes science-based minimum ...
SWIIM System will lead a Tech Talk seminar on October 25, 2016, to explain and demonstrate how its innovative technology can help farmers increase net income by efficiently planning, managing and tracking their crop-water budget. SWIIM’s turn-key solution allows it to act as its client’s on-farm water accountant, enabling agricultural water users to optimize water ...
There has been a significant increase in investments of agriculture technology (also known as “agtech”) over the past few years. Western Growers will be hosting an industry webinar on October 26, 2016, to help interested parties explore new agtech venture opportunities. In 2015, investments in agtech startups rose to $4.6 billion—almost doubling 2014’s $2.36 billion ...
Western Growers has chosen the final six start-up companies who will be competing for invaluable resources to support their growing businesses and advance the development of their innovative technologies that will be crucial to the sustainability of agriculture. Nearly 50 startup companies applied to compete in this year’s Innovation Arena, more than doubling last year’s ...
Western Growers is collaborating with Hartnell College to offer a train-the-trainer course on November 14-15, 2016, in Irvine. This training effort is meant to develop a cadre of trainers able to teach the Produce Safety Alliance training for growers. The Produce Safety Rule, which is now in effect, establishes science-based minimum standards for the safe growing, ...
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 ...
There has been a significant increase in investments of agriculture technology (also known as “agtech”) over the past few years. Western Growers will be hosting an industry webinar on October 26, 2016, to help interested parties explore new agtech venture opportunities. In 2015, investments in agtech startups rose to $4.6 billion—almost doubling 2014’s $2.36 billion ...
Employers with workers’ compensation and liability policies from American Labor Alliance or CompOne USA may not have valid insurance coverage. The California Department of Insurance issued a cease and desist order to Agricultural Contracting Services Association, Inc., doing business as American Labor Alliance and its affiliate CompOne USA, alleging that the company was soliciting,…
Western Growers is collaborating with Hartnell College to offer a train-the-trainer course on November 14-15, 2016, in Irvine and on November 17-18 in Salinas. This training effort is meant to develop a cadre of trainers able to teach the PSA training for growers. The Produce Safety Rule, which is now in effect, establishes science-based minimum standards ...
Western Growers Insurance Services has hired Matt Luis who will be responsible for expanding property/casualty (P&C) insurance services to current and future members in California’s Central Valley region. Most recently, Luis worked with Federated Insurance Company as a P&C broker in the Central Valley. Luis worked directly with business owners and their teams to provide ...