Posts By: Stephanie Metzinger

FSMA Safety Rule for Transporting Food Webinar – April 25

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will host a webinar on April 25 to discuss key pieces of the Food Safety Modernization Act Final Rule on Sanitary Transportation of Human and Animal Food. Under this rule, anyone transporting human and animal food—including shippers, loaders, carriers and receivers—must follow sanitary transportation procedures, such as properly ...

What is the Buzz about Pollinators? Lunch & Learn Webinar on April 27

In recent years, the number of pollinators appears to be in decline due to numerous factors. Western Growers will host a Lunch & Learn webinar on April 27 where members can learn more about current issues surrounding pollinators and best practices to sustain their services. Pollinators are an essential component of both natural and agricultural ...

May 6 Silicon Valley Conference Details Latest in AgTech

On May 6, the Third Annual 2016 Silicon Valley AgTech Conference will bring together farmers, technologists, venture capitalists and governmental representatives to discuss how technology will affect farming. Western Growers’ members are invited to attend at a special discounted rate of 20 percent. The AgTech Conference, which is hosted by Royse Law Firm, will share ...

Professional Compensation & HR Practices Surveys Now Open – Sign Up Today!

Western Growers’ 7th Annual Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey is now open! WG members can start inputting their data on the Survey website. Data collected will help you attract and retain the best employees in in California and Arizona’s produce industry by providing you with data needed keep your compensation competitive. By participating in the ...

What is the Buzz about Pollinators? Lunch & Learn Webinar TOMORROW

In recent years, the number of pollinators appears to be in decline due to various factors. Western Growers will host a Lunch & Learn webinar on April 27 where members can learn more about current issues surrounding pollinators and best practices to sustain their services. Pollinators are an essential component of both natural and agricultural ...

“Pesticide Ban Near Schools Would Devastate Farms” Op-Ed in Sac Bee

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is in the midst of developing new rules that would restrict pesticide use near schools, and farmers are making their voice heard. Yesterday, the Sacramento Bee published an op-ed by Pete Aiello, owner and operator of Uesugi Farms [a WG member], that details the detrimental effect this ban would ...

WG to Offer Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops – May 5

It has been mandated in California, since January 1, 2015, that California businesses must train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct.” The regulations by the Fair Employment and Housing Council include instructions for employers to: Define “abusive conduct” as malicious behaviors that can include the repeated use of derogatory remarks, insults, and verbal or ...

FSMA Safety Rule for Transporting Food Webinar – May 11

With the recent publication of the FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transport of Food, the produce industry has come together to provide a FREE webinar briefing by FDA on this new final rule. The FSMA final rule on Sanitary Transportation outlines requirements that will affect many produce shippers, carriers and receivers as it establishes requirements ...

CDFA to Hold Citrus Regulatory Scoping Meetings in Tulare and Ventura

The California Department of Food and Agriculture has scheduled scoping meetings to discuss proposals for changes to the Asian Citrus Psyllid and Huanglongbing regulations. The meetings will cover changes regarding citrus commodities and nursery stock. DETAILS TULARE Date: Friday, May 6, 2016 (citrus commodities only) Time: 9:00am-5:00pm Location: Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner’s…

Attract the Best Employees – Participate in the 2016 WG Professional Compensation and HR Practices Survey

Western Growers is offering members a secret weapon in helping attract and retain the best employees in California and Arizona’s produce industry. For the past six years, the Western Growers HR Practices and Compensation Survey has collected data to provide members with crucial information needed to keep compensation competitive. And your participation this year is ...

HRPA Certificate Program Starts May 4

Agricultural Personnel Management Association (APMA) will offer a series of courses in Salinas designed specifically for agricultural human resources professionals and others who address personnel matters for their company.  Graduates of this program will earn a prestigious designation of Human Resource Professional in Agriculture. Classes can be taken individually or as part of a…

Seminar on Criminal Prosecution for Food Safety Violations – May 24

Western Growers’ members are invited to attend the “Criminal Prosecution for Food Safety Violations and Prop. 65” seminar on May 24 at the WG Center for Innovation & Technology in Salinas, Calif. This seminar will be conducted by attorneys from Alston & Bird LLP who will address concerns about the expanding risk of criminal prosecution ...

WG Staff Updates on FSMA and AgTech at Food Safety Summit

Western Growers members are invited to attend the 2016 Western Food Safety Summit on May 4-5 to learn key strategies needed to comply with the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). Hosted at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., the summit will feature presentations from some of the nation’s top food safety experts. WG’s Science & Technology ...

Forbes AgTech Summit Explores Innovative Solutions

The Second Annual Forbes AgTech Summit will bring together over 500 of the brightest minds, from global agriculture and Silicon Valley, to help tackle the world’s most critical challenges in agriculture. The event will showcase the latest innovations for growers, investors and stakeholders, as well as foster lively debate and generate rich networking opportunities. As ...

WG to Offer Sexual Harassment Prevention Workshops on THURSDAY

It has been mandated in California, since January 1, 2015, that California businesses must train managers on how to identify “abusive conduct.” Western Growers will be offering sexual harassment prevention workshops this Thursday in Tulare. The regulations by the Fair Employment and Housing Council include instructions for employers to: Define “abusive conduct” as malicious behaviors…

CPS Research Symposium Highlights Latest Food-Research Findings

Western Growers’ members are invited to learn about the latest produce food safety research findings during the 7th Annual Center for Produce Safety Symposium on June 28-29 in Seattle. Produce industry leaders, government officials and food safety research scientists will gather to learn about topics such as irrigation water advancements; utilizing surrogates, indicators and detection ...

Attract the Best Employees: Take the WG Professional Compensation & HR Practices Survey – Deadline is May 16

Western Growers is offering members a secret weapon in helping attract and retain the best employees in California and Arizona’s produce industry. For the past six years, the Western Growers HR Practices and Compensation Survey has collected data to provide members with crucial information needed to keep compensation competitive. And your participation this year is ...

FSMA Safety Rule for Transporting Food Webinar – TOMORROW

With the recent publication of the FSMA Final Rule on Sanitary Transport of Food, the produce industry has come together to provide a FREE webinar briefing by FDA on this new final rule. The FSMA final rule on Sanitary Transportation outlines requirements that will affect many produce shippers, carriers and receivers as it establishes requirements regarding: vehicles ...

Crop Protection Tools Featured in Next Week’s Lunch & Learn Webinar

Crop protection tools are vital to the economical and safe production of food, as they help farmers efficiently protect against plant diseases, insects, weeds and other pests. But, how has science or other factors impacted their evolution? Crop protection tools support a reliable food supply; with the demand for food increasing, the need for a ...

Win an IPad! Participate in HR Practices and Compensation Survey by May 16

Western Growers is offering members a secret weapon in helping attract and retain the best employees in California and Arizona’s produce industry. For the past six years, the Western Growers HR Practices and Compensation Survey has collected data to provide members with crucial information needed to keep compensation competitive. And your participation this year is ...