MAY | JUNE 2025
FROM THE BAY TO THE BAJA A JOURNEY ROOTED IN SUSTAINABLE AG
Sandra Belin and Larry Jacobs
WESTERN GROWER & SHIPPER Published Since 1929 Volume XCVI | Number 3
To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Western Growers members
Dave Puglia President and CEO Western Growers davep@wga.com
Features
P. 20
FROM THE BAY TO THE BAJA A JOURNEY ROOTED IN SUSTAINABLE AG
Editor Michelle Rivera 949.885.4778 | mrivera@wga.com Contributors Ann Donahue 949.302.7600 | adonahue@wga.com Taylor Lauson 949.634.3624 | tlauson@wga.com Cory Lunde 949.885.2264 | clunde@wga.com Emily Lyons 831.272.0661 | elyons@wga.com Michael Escañuelas michael.escanuelas@gmail.com Circulation Marketing 949.885.2248 | communications@wga.com Advertising Sales Dana Davis 302.750.4662 | dana@tygermarketing.com
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FOOD SAFETY AND SUSTAINABILITY PERMISSION FOR RISK
P. 26
REIMAGINING FOOD RELIEF THE POWER OF HOME GROWERS
Articles
P. 32
WGCIT RESIDENT PROFILE DESERT CONTROL LOOKS TO BOOST YIELDS AND CUT WATER USE IN AMERICAN WEST
TOGETHER.
Departments
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Western Grower & Shipper ISSN 0043-3799, Copyright © 2025 by the Western Grower & Shipper is published bi-monthly by Western Grower & Shipper Publishing Company, a division of Western Growers Service Corp., 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Business and Editorial Offices: 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Accounting and Circulation Offices: Western Grower & Shipper, 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine California 92618. Call (949) 863-1000 to subscribe. Subscription is $25 per year. Foreign subscription is $50 per year. Single copies of issues, $2. Periodicals postage is paid in Irvine, California and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Western Grower & Shipper, PO Box 2130, Newport Beach, California 92658.
4 President’s Notes 6 Agriculture & the Law 8 Advocacy | California 11 Health Insurance 13 Innovation 15 Health and Wellness 17 Western Growers Women 19 Science 28 Member Profile
29 Director Profile 30 WG Member Welcome & Anniversaries 34 Updates from the WGCIT 36 WG News You Can Use 40 Connections 41 Contact Us 42 Farm Dogs and Barn Cats of Western Growers
3 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
MAPPING MAHA What do RFK, Jr. and MAHA mean for agriculture policy, and especially for the specialty crop sector? By Dave Puglia, President and CEO
Has a new presidential administration ever moved so quickly and boldly across so many policy areas? Historians will assess that. For now, let’s try to map out one of the key pillars of the Trump agenda – the Make America Healthy Again movement, or “MAHA” – with one caveat: What follows could be obsolete before this magazine is published, things being the way they are in Trump’s second term. Trump’s selection of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to serve as Secretary of Health and Human Services was an eye- popping move, even for Trump. In tapping Kennedy, Trump – an unabashed McDonald’s aficionado who seems to hydrate almost entirely on Diet Coke – opened the White House doors to a forceful band of advocates dominated by Big Food and pharmaceutical industry critics, who through effective social media and podcasting made their movement relevant and forceful even before it became known as MAHA. As Secretary of HHS, Kennedy has oversight of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other agencies that touch food and nutrition policy in several ways, especially food safety. (More on that another time.) But where he intends to impact food and nutrition, Kennedy needs cooperation from his cabinet counterparts. What do RFK, Jr. and MAHA mean for agriculture policy, and especially for the specialty crop (i.e., fresh produce) sector? Let’s start with one of the central drivers of the MAHA movement, food and nutrition policy. Kennedy has forcefully argued to flip federal nutrition standards and guidance (think of the outdated food pyramid) to prioritize meats, poultry, seafood, dairy, fruits, vegetables and tree nuts. He has also placed a bullseye on so-called ultra- processed foods that are typically associated with corn, soy products, other grains and often manufactured with ingredients reminiscent of college chemistry textbooks. Prioritizing fresh foods in federal purchasing programs, increasing specialty crop support in the pending Farm Bill, and elevating national consciousness around this agenda would undoubtedly create a long-awaited jump in demand for our healthy foods and a stronger federal commitment to the sustainability of the specialty crop industry. But almost all these policy areas fall within the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture, not HHS,
which is why Kennedy has been so quick to seek out Secretary Brooke Rollins as his partner. Some early signs of success are apparent; the two cabinet officers have appeared together, with Rollins increasingly expressing her support for much of MAHA agenda vis-à-vis food and nutrition. Things could get trickier when it comes to agriculture policy. Kennedy seems to have prevailed on Trump to buy into his broad, longstanding indictment of pesticides used in agriculture. This ignores the success of our incredibly rigorous science- and risk-based federal regulatory regime governing crop protection tools – the registration and approval process, label and use restrictions and ongoing monitoring for human and environmental health effects. As part of his drive to sideline synthetic pesticides and herbicides, Kennedy is also pressing for widespread adoption – perhaps by government mandate – of a regenerative agriculture regime that would entice activist groups to graft their agendas onto an as-yet cloudy definition of regenerative agriculture. This is concerning, to put it mildly. A possible silver lining: Kennedy could become a forceful advocate for game-changing federal investments in biological controls for specialty crops, a major priority for Western Growers. Where Kennedy must turn to Agriculture Secretary Rollins on nutrition policy, here he will need another cabinet officer: Lee Zeldin, tapped to lead the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which has primary regulatory authority over pesticides. Zeldin is a former member of Congress from Long Island and was the Republican candidate for Governor of New York in 2022. As a suburban New Yorker, Zeldin, just like Kennedy, will need Rollins and her team for guidance on crop protection policies and impacts on farm production. Shortly after he was nominated, I was fortunate to speak with Kennedy by phone, and though the main purpose for my call was to ask that he support a friend of WG who was seeking a high-level position, I took the opportunity to talk about all of this with him and came away mostly encouraged. But it struck me then, as it does now, that while Kennedy’s determination to affect policy in nutrition and agriculture is fierce, in this – as in so many aspects of this presidential administration – Trump himself will be the ultimate arbiter on major policy decisions, as is his prerogative. As a previous occupant of the Oval Office put it: “I’m the Decider.”
4 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
H-2A WORKERS AND TAXES What H-2A Employers Need to Know By Jason Resnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
Understanding the tax treatment of H-2A agricultural workers can be a source of confusion for employers, even those who have participated in the H-2A program for years. Federal and state tax rules governing H-2A employees differ in significant ways from those that apply to domestic workers—and not all obligations fall on the employer. With spring planting underway and tax season upon us, now is a good time to revisit what you’re responsible for and how best to remain compliant. Federal Taxes: Exemptions, Not Exceptions At the federal level, employers can breathe a small sigh of relief. The rules governing H-2A workers are fairly consistent and largely exemption-based: Federal Income Tax : H-2A workers are not subject to mandatory federal income tax withholding. That said, employers can withhold income tax if both the worker and employer agree to it. This arrangement should be clearly documented using IRS Form W-4. Absent this agreement, no withholding is required, but workers are still expected to file a U.S. federal income tax return if they meet the income thresholds for filing. Social Security and Medicare (FICA): Wages paid to H-2A workers for labor performed under their seasonal ag worker visa are exempt from Social Security and Medicare taxes. This is a significant savings for both employers and employees, as neither side contributes. Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA): Employers do not pay FUTA for H-2A workers. The law specifically excludes them from this tax, further reducing the payroll tax burden associated with hiring these workers. State-Level Obligations Vary While federal exemptions are relatively straightforward, state-level tax obligations vary depending on the jurisdiction. States have their own rules. For example, here’s how it works in California: State Income Tax: Similar to federal law, California does not require income tax withholding for H-2A workers unless there is a mutual agreement to do so. H-2A employers should ensure that any such agreements are in writing to avoid misunderstandings. State Unemployment Insurance (UI): Unlike FUTA, employers are required to pay into California’s UI system for H-2A workers. This requirement often comes as a surprise and is a common compliance gap. Washington and other states may have similar obligations, so H-2A employers operating outside California should confirm requirements with their state labor or employment tax agency. State Disability and Other Payroll Taxes: In most cases, H-2A workers are also exempt from other state payroll taxes, such as California’s State Disability Insurance (SDI), unless the state specifically mandates otherwise.
Filing Obligations for H-2A Workers Even though employers are generally not required to withhold federal or state income taxes from H-2A wages, workers themselves are still legally obligated to file U.S. income tax returns if they exceed certain income thresholds. Most H-2A workers are considered nonresident aliens for tax purposes, which means they typically file Form 1040-NR. Employers can play a helpful role by: • Informing workers of their filing obligations. • Providing timely and accurate Forms W-2. • Clarifying that while taxes may not have been withheld, the income is still reportable. Practical Steps for Compliance 1. Know Your State’s Rules: States vary in their treatment of H-2A wages. Be sure to consult your tax advisor or state agency regarding unemployment and other payroll tax obligations. 2. Educate Your Payroll Team: Misclassifying H-2A wages or mistakenly applying FICA or FUTA taxes can result in unnecessary payments—or worse, audits and penalties. 3. Document Withholding Agreements: If you agree to withhold federal or state income tax for an H-2A worker, get it in writing. Use IRS Form W-4 as a basis and retain copies for your records. 4. Coordinate with Tax Professionals: Your accountant or tax advisor can help you understand nuanced state rules and ensure your payroll systems are set up correctly. Final Thoughts With the growing reliance on the H-2A program, ensuring compliance with tax obligations—both federal and state—is more important than ever. While the rules offer several exemptions, they are not blanket exclusions. Each state may impose unique responsibilities, especially with respect to unemployment insurance taxes. Employers who understand these rules and communicate them clearly to workers will avoid costly mistakes and create a more transparent and predictable working environment. As always, consult with your legal or tax advisors to tailor your compliance strategy to the jurisdictions in which you operate. For additional guidance or to discover how your Western Growers membership can help you access the H-2A program at exclusive member pricing, contact the Western Growers H-2A Services team at H2A@wga.com.
6 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
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THE SB 54 CARNIVAL COMES TO TOWN WITH MANDATORY ROLLER COASTERS By Melissa Koshlaychuk, California Government Affairs Analyst
Senate Bill 54, known as the Plastic Pollution Prevention and Packaging Producer Responsibility Act, was signed into law in 2022 with the goal of drastically reducing single-use plastic waste in California. The law imposes sweeping requirements on producers to ensure that by 2032, 100 percent of packaging in the state is recyclable or compostable, with a mandated 25 percent reduction in single-use plastic packaging and a 65 percent recycling rate. SB 54 also establishes an extended producer responsibility (EPR) program, requiring producers to fund the implementation of the law's goals, including the collection, recycling and disposal of covered materials through a Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) overseen by the California Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle). Gov. Gavin Newsom directed CalRecycle to halt their regulatory package finalization to address concerns over the costs and negative impacts on businesses. Honestly, there is gratitude for California’s governor and his last- minute emergency brake maneuver, but businesses need so much more than just an e-brake on a steep roller coaster. The core message echoing at the Capitol this year has been “affordability” and rightfully so. The business and residential departures from the state are far more than just potential outcomes now. The numbers are real, not mere speculation. For the past two decades, the State Legislature and regulatory agencies have operated with an attitude of: “Anything is possible, you simply have to dream it!” This approach to lawmaking has led to the creation of mandates that lack proper support and guidance for how to successfully achieve them. CalRecycle’s current divergence from the statutory language in their regulation has only exacerbated this issue further. All impacted industries have voiced their need for more time and legitimate off-ramps. California is not alone in this push for packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) laws. Since 2021, eight states have passed similar laws, and four additional states are grappling with proposed bills this year. However, none of those regulations are as expensive or as aggressive as SB 54. Additionally, California is the only packaging EPR that is solely responsible for infusing environmental justice groups with $500 million annually for a decade. So, while California is not alone in these efforts to develop more “sustainable” packaging and increase recycling rates, this is certainly not a level playing ground.
Next Steps CalRecycle has stated they will be revising their final regulation, including a “review” of their Standardized Regulatory Impact Assessment (SRIA). The SRIA outlined the speculated costs for businesses to comply with SB 54 as well as the cost to consumers. The validity of this analysis has been called into question by industry and economic experts. CalRecycle has noted its shortcomings with both the SRIA and the Program Environmental Impact Report (PEIR), stating they generated conservative estimates among other issues. The PEIR referenced data and informational sources that were outdated and insufficiently comprehensive to meaningfully inform or support accurate guidance or assessment regarding the actual costs and impacts of SB 54. With the one-year regulatory process re-initiated, CalRecycle is looking to have their revised regulation out for public comment this summer. If we don’t get this right, SB 54 will be a burden that the entire supply chain will have to bear. The governor is asking CalRecycle to find ways to reduce the total financial impact on businesses and consumers, so a few numbers have been highlighted below to truly appreciate the SB 54 price tag: • Industry is responsible for funding SB 54 in its entirety, which CalRecycle estimates to be $36.3 billion dollars in direct costs (shared across the 5,741 regulated “producers” in the state). • SB 54 implementation is estimated to cost over a billion more annually than the entire department’s expenditure.
8 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
• The annual $500 million Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund comprises 21 percent of CalRecycle's entire annual expenditure.
• CalRecycle estimates the total cost for revolutionizing the state’s recycling infrastructure to achieve SB 54 recycling rates not seen anywhere else in the world will be $5 billion. That is the exact same price tag put on the Plastic Pollution Mitigation Fund, which aims to help clean up litter. If Californians want to see recycling rates increase and grocery bills stay reasonable, one idea would be a stronger individual commitment to throwing trash away in the trash can and recycling into the recycling bin. By removing the need for the mitigation fund, California businesses might not have to ask if the grass is greener on the other side. At the end of the day, this extra time created by the governor’s actions is a vital opportunity. Western Growers will be engaging in the CalRecycle SB 54 Advisory Board meetings, public comment periods and potentially informational hearings at the Capitol over the next six months. Our continued focus is on ensuring that the agency’s regulation accurately reflects the law with respect to the definition of a producer, statutory exemptions, exemption pathways and feasible off-ramps. WG will be hosting a detailed webinar on California’s packaging laws later this year, so stay tuned.
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9 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
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A NEW CHAPTER FOR HEALTHCARE IN OXNARD By Steve Mangapit, Chief Operating Officer, Western Growers
Recently, we opened the doors to Western Growers’ brand-new Cedar Health Center in Oxnard, Calif. Like our other Cedar Health Centers, this primary care medical clinic is exclusive for members of Western Growers Assurance Trust and Pinnacle. And while there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony and speeches (and yes, even snacks), what really made the day special was the energy in the room. You could feel it—hope, pride and a deep sense of purpose all coming together. We’ve listened to our members talk about the challenges of accessing affordable, high-quality care close to home. We knew we needed to do more. Not just for the sake of convenience—but also for the well-being of the folks who power our agricultural community every day. So, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work. And now, here we are. Cedar Health Center was built with our members in mind—every detail, every service, every friendly face you’ll see when you walk in. From zero-dollar copays to a bilingual care team that understands the community it serves, this place isn’t just about healthcare. It’s about dignity. It’s about respect. And it’s about showing up for people in a way that really matters.
During the event, I had the pleasure of standing alongside Dr. Raymond Lopez, our Medical Director at Cedar. He said something that stuck with me: “Healthcare isn’t just about treating the body—it’s about caring for the whole person.” That really sums it up. At Cedar, we’re not rushing people in and out the door. We’re taking time to listen, to understand, and to make sure every patient feels seen and valued. We were also honored to be joined by Oxnard Mayor Luis McArthur, who presented our team with a Certificate of Recognition, and his words echoed what so many of us were feeling: that this clinic is going to make a real difference in people’s lives. After the ribbon came down, we invited everyone inside for a tour. It was incredible to see our guests meet the healthcare team, explore the beautiful new space and get a firsthand look at what we’ve created together. This isn’t the finish line—it’s just the beginning. We’re committed to making Cedar Health Center a true resource for our members, their families and the broader Oxnard community. And we’re grateful to everyone who helped bring this vision to life. If you’re in the area, we’d love for you to stop by and see it for yourself. Until then, thank you for being part of this journey. We’re excited for what’s ahead.
Western Growers COO Steve Mangapit leads the ceremonial ribbon cutting, marking the official opening of Cedar Health Center in Oxnard.
11 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
HAVE PITY FOR REGENERATIVE AGRICULTURE FOR INADVERTENTLY FIGHTING A TWO-FRONT WAR By Walt Duflock, Senior Vice President, Innovation
Regenerative agriculture is heralded by many as the savior of global agriculture. If farmers can adopt regenerative practices like cover cropping, no-till, diverse crop rotations and managed rotational grazing, their soil health would improve and farmers could improve their ag operation’s productivity while fighting climate change. Who could say no to that? And yet, with the promised panaceas of better farms and less climate change, only about 12 percent of all U.S. farmland incorporates at least one widely accepted regenerative practice. Far fewer have chosen to stack regenerative practices together to increase the aggregate impact of regenerative ag. Why? It turns out that once you get past bumper sticker slogans, it’s fairly complex to implement regenerative ag practices, and every practice change adds costs to a farmer’s operation. So having gone through some pretty rough patches over the past five years, farmers don’t have a lot of margin left to spend on new practices, no matter how good the alleged benefits. When they consider practice changes, they generally end up with two options to cover the cost-consumers paying premium price at retail or practice payments from companies that have made ESG commitments. To date, consumers have shown little interest in paying a premium for regeneratively grown products, particularly in specialty crops. At the same time, recent studies have found only eight percent of companies have made ESG commitments put any actual funds behind the commitments, which makes you wonder how they expect the funding to occur. That combination puts farmers who want to make changes in a difficult position. This is why regenerative ag finds itself in the middle of a two-front war. The first is the consumer front, where it competes with organic products. Organics have grown to over $228 billion in global sales in 2024 and are forecast to reach $658 billion in sales by 2034 (11 percent annual growth rate). Organics have had nice growth over the last couple of decades even though the definition has not always been clear, consumers have been often confused, and the enforcement of organic labeling was inconsistent and far from perfect. All that said, it is one of the few words that ring the register with consumers, and it has been doing so for decades. Unlike organic, regenerative does not walk into
a blank slate; it has to compete with the $228 billion organic revenue juggernaut. To continue fighting this battle successfully, regenerative agriculture will need to spend large chunks of marketing budgets for years (likely decades) to establish itself as a new player with brand awareness in a crowded landscape (Organic! Locally grown! Hormone-free! Climate-smart! What’s a consumer to do?) It seems like a battle best avoided. What about the second front? Growers implementing regenerative practices can go to companies with ESG commitments and work with them to secure payments. In exchange, the buyers of the practice change often get things like carbon credits. However, the tools are nascent, not perfect and not infallible at measuring and tracking carbon. Even worse, in many cases if the carbon cannot be found, it’s not very good at identifying the root cause (pun intended) of the missing carbon. And here is the big problem: If a carbon audit is performed years later and the carbon is missing, guess who is almost always left on the hook to write a check and give back the carbon credit cash? Yep, you guessed it, the farmer who sold the credit to the ESG buyer. That is the big challenge for regenerative agriculture, which wants to be widely adopted but does not yet have the support of many consumers who will pay more or of the ESG committed companies that often do not want to pay at all. Neither front of this battle is particularly attractive. Consumers are facing years of significant inflation, and their grocery budget doesn’t fill up as much of the shopping cart as it used to. ESG commitments are being questioned for multiple reasons, and that does not make their willingness to bring funding for practice changes any more likely. The best path forward for regenerative agriculture is to support growers with education, proven practices and local help to make changes easier and more cost- effective. This avoids both fronts mentioned above and creates a slower growth path for regenerative ag. On the plus side, this does two things to improve sustainability; it improves the sustainability of ag operations while improving the sustainability of their finances. That may be the best win-win for regenerative ag currently available.
13 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
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FIGHTING OBESITY AND CHRONIC DISEASE WITH AGRICULTURE By Beth Sims, Wellness Manager, Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc.
We’ve all been there. You’ve had a long day, and the couch is calling your name like a long-lost friend. And what better way to settle in than with a giant bag of chips and a soda (or maybe an ice cream sundae)? But what if I told you there’s a way to fight the dreaded couch potato lifestyle and benefit your waistline all at once? Well, buckle up because agriculture has our back in the battle against obesity and chronic disease— and it comes with a side of fresh produce and maybe a shovel. Fruits, Vegetables and the Heart That Loves Them We all know that fruits and vegetables are good for us (our parents were right, as usual), but did you know they could actually lower your risk of heart disease? If you eat just one more serving of fruits or veggies daily, you could reduce your risk of heart disease by a whopping 4 percent. According to a study in the American Journal of Public Health, that one extra serving can go a long way. So, what’s holding us back? Well, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only about one in 10 Americans actually eat the recommended daily servings of fruits and veggies. And while we’re on the subject, 42.4 percent of U.S. adults are obese, thanks mostly to processed foods, a sedentary lifestyle and lack of nutrient-dense foods. Yikes. But here’s the twist: Agriculture can be the superhero in this story. Eating healthier can help us feel better and avoid the trap of obesity and other related health issues. Get Off the Couch (and into the Garden) Let’s be honest. Sometimes it feels like climbing Mount Everest to go for a walk. But here’s something you might not have thought about: farming and gardening count as exercise. According to a study published in Preventive Medicine, people involved in community gardening are 1.5 times more likely to meet physical activity guidelines than those who just binge- watch another season of a show. And let’s talk about exercise: Just 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity a week can cut your risk of cardiovascular disease by 30 percent, according to the American Heart Association. That’s less than 30 minutes a day—roughly the time it takes to scroll through TikTok. So, why not swap some screen time for some fresh air and gardening? Nutrition Education: Growing Minds (and Veggies) It’s not all about what goes into our bodies. Sometimes, it’s about what goes into our brains.
Agriculture can also play a major role in educating us about nutrition. Take the U. S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm to School program, which connects local farmers with schools to provide fresh produce. The result? A 50 percent increase in fruit and veggie consumption in participating schools. Studies show that kids who receive nutrition education are 30 percent more likely to make healthier food choices. That’s a huge impact, considering how many of us grew up with a vague idea of what eating healthy actually meant. And in California, a program combining school gardening with nutrition education resulted in a 20 percent drop in childhood obesity rates. By connecting agricultural education with fresh foods, we’re not just reshaping the way we eat, but we’re also laying the foundation for healthier, happier communities. The Bottom Line: Get Your Hands Dirty (and Eat Your Veggies) The next time you’re feeling the pull of the couch or the lure of junk food, remember this: Agriculture isn’t just about growing crops—it’s about growing healthier habits, stronger communities and happier hearts. Whether you’re picking fresh produce from a local market, getting your hands dirty in a community garden or teaching kids how to plant veggies, agriculture is a tool we can all use to fight obesity and chronic diseases. If you don’t have a Western Growers Assurance Trust (WGAT) plan, which includes a care management program and the added option of a Wellness Program, contact us to see how we can help you better manage your health care costs at (800) 333-4942.
15 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
WESTERN GROWERS 99TH ANNUAL MEETING NOVEMBER 912, 2025
Over 500 industry leaders. Big ideas. Real connections. All in the golden era allure of one of California’s most iconic beach resorts. Ho D Coroad, Cliforni
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HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE SECOND ANNUAL WESTERN GROWERS WOMEN LEADERSHIP RETREAT By Cierra Allen, Program Manager
In early April, the Western Growers Women (WGW) Program kicked off its Second Annual WGW Leadership Retreat under the sunny skies of California’s Central Coast in beautiful Pismo Beach, Calif. The program welcomed 35 incredible women from 19 different member companies, each bringing their own unique perspective and experience. Although every attendee had a different background, they all shared one commonality: they were proud members of the agriculture industry. Growing up in the Imperial Valley, I developed a deep love for agriculture early on. Some of my favorite memories include riding around in the truck with my dad and tagging along with him to meetings. By the time I was in high school, I knew I wanted to be part of this industry. But I also quickly realized how few women leaders and mentors there were to look up to. Fast forward 10 years, and I was thrilled to be hired to lead the WGW Program – an opportunity that combined my love for agriculture with my passion for empowering women in ag. From the beginning, I knew my goal for the WGW program was not just to provide tools for professional development, but also to create a space where women could connect, relate and grow alongside other women in the industry. The WGW Leadership Retreat was a great mix of networking, leadership training and a healthy dose of fun. Over the course of three days, we offered eight different leadership sessions, including: • “Building Your Internal and External Network for Career Development” presented by Jenny Maloney, Global-Americas Strategic Account Manager, Bayer CropScience Vegetable Seeds
• “Mastering Public Speaking” presented by Western Growers Corporate Counsel Teresa McQueen • “Birkman Leadership: The Interplay Between Ego, Productivity, and Stress” presented by Dr. Tina Huff • “How to Ask for a Raise” led by Western Growers SVP of HR, Karen Timmins • “Lead with Confidence: A Leader’s Guide to Hiring Right” presented by Western Growers Training and Development Manager, Priscila Cisneros These sessions sparked meaningful conversations and gave attendees actionable tools to elevate their careers. We wrapped up our three days of learning with a fun and educational visit to Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande. Elizabeth Talley guided us through an in-depth tour of their operations – from the diversity of soil across their vineyards to the intricacies of their in-house bottling process. Of course, the experience wouldn’t have been complete without tasting a few of their delicious wines. At its core, the WGW Leadership Retreat was about more than just professional development – it was about building lasting connections and fostering a community of confident women leaders in the fresh produce industry. We are so grateful to the Western Growers Board of Directors for believing in the power of women’s leadership in ag and helping bring the WGW Program to life. If you are a part of a member company and have women in your organization looking for professional growth, I encourage you to get them involved in the WGW Program. The WGW community is growing stronger each year, and the possibilities are endless. For more information on Western Growers Women, email Cierra Allen at callen@wga.com.
17 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
RESHAPING REGULATORY FRAMEWORKS Why Prevention is Essential for Continuous Improvement By Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President, Food Safety and Regulatory Affairs
In food safety, regulatory frameworks are critical for setting the baseline for compliance, defining clear expectations and ensuring accountability. However, true progress requires fostering a culture of continuous improvement. Frameworks must evolve beyond lists of requirements that encourage a checklist mentality—one that often falls short in driving meaningful, preventive food safety practices. Prevention is often an afterthought in regulatory discussions, where compliance and enforcement tend to be reactive and focused on what went wrong, after the fact. In contrast, prevention asks, “What could go wrong?” and plans ahead to avoid it. A prevention-based food safety framework is forward-looking, drives lasting Prevention-driven food safety necessitates a shift in mindset. When companies operate with a mindset that prioritizes prevention above compliance, they move away from just checking boxes to asking, “How can we improve tomorrow, next week/month/year compared to today, this week/month/year?” Just like other business metrics, measuring performance in food safety is foundational for a strong food safety culture—one that looks beyond compliance to continuous improvement. Before the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) was enacted in 2011, produce safety lacked the regulatory focus given to other food sectors. Yet the industry had already taken the initiative with its first food safety guidance for fresh produce in 1997 and has made significant progress since. Still, food safety is a journey of continuous improvement—one that requires tracking performance. Without knowing where we’ve been or where we are, we can’t measure progress. Food safety performance can be measured using leading and lagging indicators. Leading indicators are proactive and predictive, for example, tracking the frequency and thoroughness of worker hygiene training (e.g., proper handwashing, glove use or cross-contamination prevention) and adherence to best practices. Well-trained workers are more likely to prevent contamination, making this a leading indicator. Lagging indicators, such as the number of recalls or outbreaks, reflect what has already happened. They show what went wrong by assessing whether the food safety failed, but only after the fact. A regulatory system focused solely on lagging indicators assesses safety based change and fosters continuous improvement. A Shift in Mindset from Compliance to Continuous Improvement
on what went wrong, and a company focused solely on lagging indicators assesses its food safety program by a passed or failed audit. Unlike lagging indicators, leading indicators are forward-looking and give companies a proactive edge. Both leading and lagging indicators provide valuable insight into long-term strategies, but leading indicators are essential to guide prevention strategies by informing This brings me to a crucial point: The number of outbreaks alone is not a sufficient measure of success. Though important, it is a snapshot from the past, not a panoramic video of what is out ahead. A genuine culture of food safety should be evaluated on broader criteria: Are risks being identified early? Are companies adequately investing in training and innovation? Is data being employed to inform decision-making rather than just reacting to failures? When data is transformed into actionable insight, its true value is realized. Data-driven prevention has the power to reshape food safety by enabling smarter technology use and fostering stronger collaboration between public and private sectors to drive continuous improvement. At Western Growers, we are committed to advancing prevention and data science to transform information into action because continuous improvement isn’t just possible, it’s essential. We believe regulatory frameworks must embed prevention at their core, not treat it as an afterthought. That vision is attainable through a system that supports ongoing improvement, rewards proactive practices, leverages leading indicators and embraces prevention as a foundational strategy for protecting public health. industry and regulators of potential issues. Rethinking Success—Looking Ahead
19 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
COVER STORY FROM THE BAY TO THE BAJA A Journey Rooted in Sustainable Ag By Taylor Lauson, Communications Manager
Husband and wife, and co-founders of Jacobs Farm del Cabo: Sandra Belin and Larry Jacobs.
Ever since he can remember, Larry Jacobs has been captivated by the quiet magic of nature. One of his earliest memories is conducting a science experiment in his kindergarten class, where he had to grow a corn seed in a milk carton, “When milk cartons were still around,” Jacobs joked. He recalled the process of planting the seed, caring for it—until finally experiencing the gratifying moment when it sprouted. “I just couldn’t understand how from this little seed, this plant grew,” Jacobs reflected. “It’s something very special that’s happening there.” This fascination stuck with Jacobs into young adulthood, despite going off to college to study electrical engineering. However, at just 19 years old, he quickly realized that being stuck inside a fluorescent-lit laboratory was not the life for him, and ultimately, this desire to work in nature led Jacobs down the path of becoming the owner and manager of a wholesale nursery in the San Fernando Valley. At one point, Jacobs got sick after applying a pesticide to treat an aphid infestation at the nursery, and that’s when he began searching for safer, chemical-free alternatives. He said he wanted to find “a way to grow crops without using the toxic materials that everybody was recommending, despite being told that that was pretty crazy.”
While regenerative and sustainable agriculture are buzzwords for the industry that often don't have clear definitions, Jacobs has aimed to embody and define them through his life’s work. At the encouragement of the county inspector, Jacobs went back to college and got a degree in Soil Science with an emphasis on Plant Pathology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. After graduation, Jacobs married his wife, Sandra, and together, the two went on to run a local nonprofit in the Western Highlands of Guatemala, where they set up a soil testing lab for small-scale farmers. Fast forward three years later, the couple returned to the U.S. with plans to settle down on farmland. The two decided to move to San Mateo County, buying a piece of land in the small coastal town of Pescadero in 1980, officially establishing Jacobs Farm. Although Jacobs now had years of soil testing experience under his belt, he admitted, “I always felt it was a little presumptuous to be doing all these soil tests, and recommendations based on the soil tests, without any experience actually growing these crops.” Jacobs said he and his wife were initially focused on increasing the amount of organic matter in soil and growing cover crops, and this was “before it was popular.” After achieving some good- quality, healthy crops on their eight-acre field, they decided to expand and begin specializing in fresh, organic culinary herbs.
20 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
As the Jacobs family continued to grow their business, they were forced to get creative in some respects, saying at one point, “We didn’t have the capital to buy a big truck and refrigeration.” But they didn’t let this speed bump get in the way of deliveries. “It was a funny story,” Jacobs recalled. “We stripped the seats out of a Honda Civic and loaded it up. We could get about $3,000 worth of boxes in there and still have room for the driver.” That very Honda Civic later doubled as their getaway car for a vacation to Mexico. (Don’t worry, the seats were put back in.) While making their way up the Baja Peninsula, they spent a few days visiting local farms and talking to people. “We learned that a lot of these little farms had really beautiful crops that were market gardens,” Larry said. But because of the town’s small population—about 10,000—it didn’t take long to fill up the local market. “It was pretty isolated to get product anyplace else.” With a need to develop a source of organic fruit and vegetables during their off-season, this inspired the couple to attempt to bridge that gap by partnering with these growers. With the support of the locals and the Mexican government, a fruitful partnership was created and from there, the del Cabo collective was born. “I think if we had known how challenging and risky it was, we probably wouldn’t have done it. But we were young and naive, so we did it,” Jacobs said. Initially, their focus was to establish a system where these farmers could be self-sufficient and ultimately make a higher
The scenic landscape of a del Cabo farm.
income to support their families. The collective started out with a group of 10 people, and from there, it continued to grow. “Other communities up and down the Baja became interested as word began spreading,” Jacobs said. “It was hard for us to walk down the beach without somebody asking us how to become a part of this thing.” Today, the del Cabo collective spans the full length of the Baja California Peninsula and into mainland Mexico, providing organic farming training and lasting quality of life to more than 1,250 farming families in 14 communities. Beyond their philanthropic work, Larry and Sandra have remained committed to leading their company in sustainable and forward-thinking practices. In 2020, Jacobs Farm del Cabo introduced its ClimateLab program, a comprehensive initiative to support farmers
21 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
Certified organic transplant ready for planting.
in adapting to the effects of climate change and reducing environmental impact. This includes efforts to cultivate climate- resilient soils, assess climate risks and cut down on plastic waste. Through this program, they also recognized the importance of implementing gender-focused initiatives, noting that women have historically been disproportionately affected by the impacts of climate change. The two were able to identify other challenges unique to their female employees, including some who were new moms and needed a place to breastfeed. The first thing Jacobs thought was "we could implement that." Many of their farms now offer not just private lactation areas, but also provide a pump and a refrigerator for milk storage. Reflecting on his decades of experience in the ag industry, Jacobs said with nostalgia, “Sometimes the things that we’re interested in as children stick, and sometimes they don’t.”
For Jacobs, it all goes back to that little seed in the milk carton, and that sense of awe and childlike wonder that stuck with him throughout his life. “Whether it’s the hillsides along the coast in the spring after the first rains, when the first seeds are sprouting and you see this flush of green on the hillsides, or it’s a roll of parsley, it doesn’t matter. It just always seems magical to me.” Although Jacobs has spent his life making a positive impact on the ag industry, he has no plans of slowing down. “I’m looking forward to another thousand years. Let’s keep going.”
Photos courtesy of Jacobs Farm del Cabo
22 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
INSV Defense: Breakthrough against INSV with first resistant lettuce varieties
A solution to the Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) is finally within reach for lettuce growers. After years of intensive research and breeding, the Dutch vegetable seed company Rijk Zwaan launched two Romaine lettuce varieties for the U.S. market with a resistance to INSV. The varieties are the first in the company’s INSV Defense line, with more lettuce varieties coming in the near future.
Read more: www.rijkzwaanusa.com/page/insv-defense
For more information, contact Lettuce Crop Specialist Nathan Peretz at n.peretz@rijkzwaan.com
FEATURE STORY PERMISSION FOR RISK By Joelle Mosso, Associate Vice President, Science Programs
This is part two of a two-part series on food safety and sustainability. You can read the first part of this series in the March/April edition of the Western Grower & Shipper.
Risk-based management requires that we design systems that consistently and efficiently identify risk so that appropriate measures can be implemented to reduce it. Preventing the first step of identification impedes much hope of executing risk-based management across the food industry. To illustrate what risk-based management and risk permission in food production could look like, here’s a non-food example. We all accept that sharks are a risk to human health when swimming in the ocean. However, our means to manage that risk is not to set out to remove all sharks from the ocean. Instead, we as a community, have designed education, alerts, monitoring and sometimes physical barriers like nets to protect humans in the ocean environment from a potentially hazardous encounter. Extending the metaphor, we not only authorize the risk to exist, but we design systems to know when the risk is elevated and when too much risk is seen. If sharks are too close, we take measures to get people out of the water and close beaches. In agriculture, we grow our food where pathogens live and must accept and authorize that occasional encounters with foodborne pathogens are not unexpected. If we build our pathogen monitoring systems appropriately, we will allow for systems to alert food producers when risks are no longer acceptable (i.e., too many sharks) due to current measurements being above what baseline measurements would expect. Due to the complexity and diversity in agricultural and in food-producing ecosystems, risk is expected to be variable and needs to be monitored per producer and system. Once established, these risk-based monitoring systems must also be recognized and trusted as functional (i.e., we cannot abandon fields/processes "As much as this risk-obsessed microbiologist loves the concept and science of microbial risk management, I have come to recognize that the first system to be built to achieve that goal is dependent on individual and societal psychology."
simply because a non-zero-risk baseline is established). With understanding and authorization that the status quo has some inherent risk, we permit the establishment of systems being built to be able to identify and manage risks when they elevate. Once we can understand the increased risk, science can help design appropriate mitigations to reduce risks back to acceptable levels. True risk-based systems offer the ability to allocate resources where risks are elevated and minimize limited resources being applied inefficiently across supply chains. Transitioning to risk-based management starts with culture. As much as this risk-obsessed microbiologist loves the concept and science of microbial risk management, I have come to recognize that the first system to be built to achieve that goal is dependent on individual and societal psychology. As a collective food industry, we must focus efforts on shifting to a culture of risk acceptance if we want to truly usher in a more sustainable means to reduce foodborne illness. While it does sound somewhat counterintuitive to allow for risk when trying to reduce it, the lack of doing so regrettably leads to situations where far more risk remains unknown and unintentionally accepted. Permission to identify risk without fear of losing customers, ranch land and
24 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com May | June 2025
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