2021 YEAR IN REVIEW
STRONGER.
Dear Members,
In a year that continued to see pandemic-related disruptions, we were heartened by the return of our Annual Meeting in November. Yes, the mood was one of celebration, but also one of contemplation. Indeed, the significance of our first in-person Western Growers event in two years was not lost on the crowd.
While the Annual Meeting may have had a familiar ring to it – complete with standout featured sessions and speakers – the event was anything but business as usual. In a way, our gathering was emblematic of the broader Western fresh produce industry, an ode to the toughness and durability that defines our multi-generational family businesses.
In a global community still beset by waves of fear and uncertainty, one thing has remained constant for millions of consumers in the U.S. and around the world: A safe, healthy, and abundant supply of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts delivered to their grocery stores and served to their families.
Regardless of what 2022 brings, we will need to tap into these same traits of toughness and durability to overcome the numerous challenges that will undoubtedly come our way, whether from market forces, government regulators or Mother Nature. But we won’t do it alone. We will rely on each other, as we have always done, through our strength as an association. Please take a minute to review the work of our Western Growers Family of Companies in 2021. Looking ahead to 2022, stealing from the words of coaching legend Vince Lombardi, we will be “relentless in our pursuit of perfection.” This standard of excellence will drive everything we do in service of our members, ensuring that we remain the leading grower voice in the West.
Albert Keck President, Hadley Date Gardens Western Growers 2022 Chairman
Dave Puglia President & CEO Western Growers
WITH US.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS THE LEADING GROWER REPRESENTATIVE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.
TAXES In 2021, there was a renewed effort to remove several important tax benefits that have long been available to farmers and ranchers, including estate tax exemptions and the step-up in basis. Western Growers worked with allied organizations to prevent these tax code changes that would drive many families to sell property (or the farm!) to pay taxes. SUPPLY CHAIN Western Growers has highlighted the urgent need to fix port congestion and unfair treatment of U.S agricultural exports. These backlogs resulted in massive hikes in freight rates and millions of dollars in lost export sales for our members. Our advocacy efforts have informed the Administration’s position on ports and helped lead to the passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2021 in the House of Representatives, which aims in part to crack down on unreasonable practices by container shipping lines. We are working to move this bill in the Senate.
As the leading grower voice on federal policy issues, Western Growers continues to lead legislative and regulatory advocacy efforts on behalf of the fresh produce industry. Amid an Administration change and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic-related challenges, we secured several key legislative victories for our members in 2021.
WATER INFRASTRUCTURE Western Growers organized a regional coalition of more than 220 agricultural organizations and water agencies to secure funding for Western water infrastructure in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was signed into law in November. The bill includes $8 billion for projects that will enhance water supply reliability in the West, including repairing aging dams and canals and building new surface and groundwater storage and conveyance facilities. IMMIGRATION Western Growers continues to advocate for agricultural immigration reform and worked with our congressional champions to introduce and pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act in the House of Representatives in March. Like the version passed by the House in 2019, this bill provides a mechanism to retain existing, experienced workers and reforms the H-2A program to secure a reliable future flow of guest workers. We are working with our industry allies to generate momentum for legislation in the Senate.
COVID-19 WORKER SAFETY EXPENSES Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Western Growers has advocated for federal funds to offset grower expenses related to worker safety. While not enough to fully reimburse all COVID-19 safety expenses, Congress allocated $650 million, which was used by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to implement the Pandemic Response and Safety Grant program during the fall.
“
As illustrated by the successful effort to secure Western water infrastructure funding, our D.C. team excels at building and leading the coalitions required to advance the public policy priorities of the fresh produce industry.
”
Stuart Woolf Woolf Farming
OUR IMPACT.
ARIZONA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS DEDICATED TO TACKLING THE UNIQUE CHALLENGES FACING ARIZONA AGRICULTURE.
WATER Western Growers helped lead the advocacy efforts on the following water-related issues, securing funding for key drought and infrastructure priorities, along with policy changes to protect water resources for Arizona agriculture: $200 million for a Drought Mitigation Fund, along with the creation of a Drought Mitigation Board to evaluate and approve funding requests for current and future drought mitigation projects.
The broad reach of Western Growers’ policy influence extends to Arizona, where staff is dedicated to ensuring the continued viability of agriculture in the state. With historic drought conditions across the Western U.S. in 2021, water was a major focus of legislative and regulatory activity in Arizona.
$20 million to help Pinal County farmers build wells and other groundwater infrastructure as they face cutbacks from the Central Arizona Project (Colorado River water). HB 2441 allows farmers to permanently retire flood damaged land and transfer the water rights to an equivalent parcel of land intended for production. HB 2691 creates an Arizona-centric program to protect the state’s water resources and distinguishes Arizona waterways from Waters of the United States designation.
LIABILITY PROTECTION Western Growers also worked to pass legislation to protect farmers from frivolous lawsuits. SB 1448 prohibits the state from declaring an agricultural operation a “nuisance” if its practices are consistent with legal requirements and best practices and allows attorney fees to be awarded for claims deemed to be frivolous.
“
The nexus between our ability to be successful and public policy continues to grow. WG continues to be the voice for the fresh produce industry in Arizona, fighting for our future. Steve Martori III Martori Farms ”
ARIZONA SUPPORT.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS CONTINUING A LEGACY OF POWERFUL ADVOCACY FOR CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE.
With veto-proof supermajorities in both houses of the California legislature, Western Growers’ state advocacy efforts are more critical, and must be more strategic, than ever. Given the current legislative environment, Western Growers achieved remarkable success in advancing the public policy priorities of our members.
CARD CHECK The most critical victory of 2021 was the defeat of AB 616, the California legislature’s latest attempt to enact card check. This bill would have gutted the Agricultural Labor Relations Act by stripping farmworkers of their fundamental right to a secret ballot election. Western Growers led industry opposition to AB 616 and the bill was ultimately vetoed by Governor Newsom.
PLASTIC CONTAINERS Western Growers actively opposed several bills that would have created unrealistic mandates on the use of plastic containers and had an outsized impact on grower and shipper operations. AB 478 would have established unreasonable post-consumer recycled (PCR) content requirements for thermoform plastic containers. AB 1371 would have placed a broad prohibition on retailers from using single-use plastic packaging. SB 54 would have placed a prohibition on the producers of single-use disposable packaging from offering for sale or distributing into the state these products after January 1, 2032, unless the products are recyclable or compostable. Each of these bills were stopped at various points in the process. PUBLIC DISCLOSURE AB 1192 would have mandated employers to publicly disclose specific employee information, including pay data, which would subject employers to unwarranted shaming and frivolous litigation. This bill was held in the Assembly and is now a two-year bill.
TRAVEL TIME Western Growers led an agricultural and general business coalition in opposition to AB 857, which would have expanded the definition of “voluntary” and “mandated” travel time. This bill was held on the Senate floor and is now a two-year bill.
WATER QUALITY AB 377 bill would have fundamentally changed the authority of California State Water Resources Control Board and the Regional Water Boards, creating onerous compliance timelines, funding priorities and enforcement powers. Due to Western Growers’ continued opposition, the author will not be pursuing this measure in 2022.
“ Monitoring of and advocating before government officials is not part-time work. To be effective takes commitment and a deep understanding of the governmental processes. Western Growers understands the produce industry and its intersections with government. Its experts serve as translators – from the growers to government and back again – to foster a greater understanding from both the government and the industry. With understanding comes effectiveness. Tom O’Brien Senior Vice President & General Counsel Driscoll’s ”
CALIFORNIA SUPPORT.
SCIENCE PROMOTING A SAFE AND SECURE FOOD SUPPLY.
cloud-based data platform that allows individual operations to benchmark their food safety program and performance with anonymized, aggregated industry data.
Western Growers routinely coordinates with regulators, legislators, universities and scientists to provide technical expertise and resources to help both government officials and industry stakeholders develop, refine and enact world class food safety and sustainable resource management practices.
INDUSTRY GUIDANCE Webinars
FOOD SAFETY
Western Growers teamed up with experts from academia, government and allied trade associations to provide more than 1,200 registrants with insightful webinars on the following topics:
Pre-harvest Testing Western Growers led an update to Appendix C: Pre-harvest Product Sampling and Testing Protocol and gained approval from the Canadian Food Inspection Authority to use pre-harvest testing to fulfill import control measures for Romaine lettuce.
Whole Genome Sequencing
Findings and Recommendations from Recent E. Coli Outbreaks
Produce Safety and Cattle Operations
LGMA Metrics Amendment Process
Introduction to Root Cause Analysis
LGMA Guidelines Western Growers facilitated a stakeholder review process of the LGMA-approved guidelines that resulted in revisions and improvements to the Soil Amendments/Non-Synthetic Crop Treatments and Adjacent Lands/Production Locations sections.
Pre-Harvest Product Sampling and Testing Guidance
Guidance Documents Western Growers created multiple guidance documents for our members: Conducting Root Cause Analysis – A “How-To” Guide for the Produce Industry Conducting Root Cause Analysis – A “When-To” Guide for the Produce Industry Grower/Shipper/Handler Guide to Food and Drug Administration Assignment Sampling Visits
Data Sharing Project Western Growers launched a first-of-its-kind Food Safety Data Sharing Project. We partnered with Creme Global to build a fully private, confidential,
SUSTAINABILITY Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops Western Growers partnered with the Stewardship Index for Specialty Crops to launch a grower-centric tool for measuring and benchmarking progress toward sustainability goals. This tool will be free to our members in 2022 and 2023.
Perennial Crop Climate Summit Western Growers hosted a Perennial Crop Climate Summit to discuss the impact of the Biden Administration’s climate agenda on agriculture, and to strategize on a shared path forward. REGULATORY COMMENTS Western Growers remained active in the rulemaking process, submitting multiple comment letters to regulatory boards and agencies – including the Food and Drug Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the National Organic Standards Board – in support of science-based solutions to proposed regulations.
“ The WG Science team is passionately committed to developing scientific solutions, guidance and resources to serve and support their members and the entire fresh produce industry ~ with excellence, always. Amber Strohauer Strohauer Farms ”
WITH SCIENCE.
INNOVATION ACCELERATING THE ADVANCEMENT OF AGRICULTURAL TECHNOLOGY FOR THE FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY.
GLOBAL HARVEST AUTOMATION INITIATIVE With an audacious goal of automating 50 percent of the harvest within 10 years, the Global Harvest Automation Initiative (GHAI) was launched in February 2021. This global initiative is comprised of several key projects designed to help harvest automation start-ups commercialize and scale at a more rapid pace, including the development of a technology stack – a documented set of technical interfaces that will help start-ups leverage industry-standard components to get their robots into the field faster. As part of the GHAI, Western Growers will produce an annual harvest automation impact report ; facilitate more effective grower conversations to help start-ups better understand the economics growers need to invest in automation; and work with both federal and state governments to help secure R&D and commercialization funding .
The fresh produce industry is being asked to feed a growing population with fewer resources. Increasingly, growers are turning to technology to address unprecedented environmental pressures, regulatory restrictions and marketplace demands. To help meet this need, Western Growers has emerged as a catalyst for innovation in the fresh produce industry.
“ Through its Center for Innovation and Technology, Western Growers is once again leading the way in our industry - this time with the Global Harvest Automation Initiative - arguably the moonshot of AgTech; and in addition the Grower Trial Network where farmers likes us get a chance to review technologies and solutions right in the same room as the innovators, and provide our feedback on what we really need to stay competitive. Neill Callis Turlock Fruit Company ”
FOOD SAFETY YEAR OF ACCELERATION In addition to automation start-ups, Western Growers is working with the Center for Produce Safety and the Yuma Center of Excellence for Desert Agriculture to support food safety start-ups through field trials and by raising grower awareness of the latest food safety innovations.
NEW TECHNOLOGY.
LEGAL EXPERT COMPLIANCE COUNSEL AND TRUSTED MEMBER RESOURCE.
Legal Insights Newsletter In May, Western Growers launched the Western Growers Legal Insights newsletter, the most comprehensive and relevant source for legal news and information covering new laws and cases that affect the workplace; bills that are making their way into the law books; more localized news and information; and best practices to ensure a legally complaint workplace.
In addition to providing industry-leading legal insight and compliance counsel, Western Growers is at the forefront of legal challenges to laws and regulations that jeopardize the competitiveness and profitability of our members.
Western Growers Legal Issues Webinar Series Topics covered during this monthly webinar series included:
Prop 65
Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Prevention ETS Compliance
Key COVID-19 Vaccination Issues
Indemnification Pitfalls
Agriculture Mergers & Acquisitions
H-2A SERVICES Western Growers H-2A Services filed nearly 100 H-2A applications on behalf of Western Growers members in 2021. The service, available exclusively to Western Growers members, mitigated labor shortages by helping members to successfully employ thousands of H-2A workers on a seasonal basis.
The Calif. Private Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA)
INDUSTRY GUIDANCE Personnel Procedures Manual
Already the go-to resource for agricultural employers, this year’s Personnel Procedures Manual has been completely updated and revised, including a new and improved look and feel, streamlined navigation, and updated content, policies and checklists.
LEGAL CHALLENGES Western Growers was actively engaged in an unprecedented number of legal challenges on behalf of our members and the broader agriculture industry: Western Growers v. Cal/OSHA Standards Board: Western Growers led the agriculture and general industry’s litigation efforts challenging Cal/OSHA’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard before the trial court and court of appeals. Western Growers v. City of Coachella: Western Growers oversaw the agricultural coalition’s litigation efforts challenging the City of Coachella’s “Hero Pay” ordinance. Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid: Western Growers led efforts to file an amicus brief in the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of a California agricultural coalition. The issue in the Cedar Point Nursery case was whether the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board’s so-called “Access Rule” violates the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. Almond Alliance et al. v. Fish and Game Commission et al.: Western Growers participated in the case, which defended on appeal the Superior Court’s ruling upholding a challenge to a decision by the California Fish and Game Commission to designate four subspecies of bumble bees as candidates for protection under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA).
“ Maneuvering the ever-changing laws and regulations that our industry continues to encounter can be difficult at times. The Western Growers’ Legal Resources team is our go-to for guidance and the most up to date information to ensure we are in compliance. Whether we are in need of the simplest clarification or help solving the more difficult issues, they are always happy to assist or refer us to someone within their network who can help us further. Wendy McKay SMT Farms, LLC. TFT Farms, LLC ”
Interested in H-2A or other legal services? Please contact Jason Resnick, at jresnick@wga.com or (949) 885-2253 or visit https://www.wga.com/services/labor-services to learn more.
WITH COUNSEL.
WESTERN GROWERS UNIVERSITY PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING PROGRAMS TAILORED TO THE AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY.
In 2021, more than 2,000 member employees and supervisors were trained in:
Leadership Skills
Arbinger: Developing and Implementing an Outward Mindset
Building Trust in the Workplace
Navigating Through Change and Managing Transformation Effectively
Being Responsible for Your Results
As part of the ongoing effort to help our members attract and retain talent, Western Growers continues to expand our catalogue of in-person and online WG University courses. These tailored, professional development classes are designed to grow stronger leaders equipped with the essential knowledge they need to manage the employee lifecycle legally and effectively.
In response to new, non-traditional work schedules and learning styles, WG University has partnered with Traliant – an innovative, online
training provider – to offer quick, on-the-go courses for busy professionals. Accessible on any mobile device, these bite-sized episodes cover the most pressing challenges facing today’s business leaders, including training in harassment prevention, conflict resolution and interpersonal communication.
Human Resources and Employment Law
Preventing Discrimination and Harassment (SHRM Accredited)
Wage & Hour: What You Need to Know to be Compliant
Guide to Federal and State Leave Law Mandates
Competency-based Behavioral Interviewing
Writing Effective Job Descriptions
Stop Workplace Bullying Today
Companies need experience and a strong guide for this process and the WG team are masters at overcoming individual concerns, gaining team confidence, and empowering team members with the tools to dramatically impact the organization. Lance A Donny AgCode | Chief Executive Officer ” “
Manager’s Toolbox Essentials
Management 101: The Essentials
Coaching Employee Performance Effectively
Interested in scheduling an onsite training or have additional questions? Please contact Anna Bilderbach, at abilderbach@wga.com or (949) 379-3889 or visit https://www.wga.com/services/university to learn more.
YOUR KNOWLEDGE.
HEALTHCARE SOLUTIONS ENSURING THE HEALTH OF OUR MEMBERS’ MOST VALUABLE RESOURCE: THEIR EMPLOYEES.
ACCESSIBLE AND QUALITY HEALTH CARE Pinnacle announced in June it will facilitate patient care as a managing services organization at the Cedar Health and Wellness Center located in Oxnard, Calif. Additionally, Cedar Oxnard now offers biometric screening and health data collection. In 2021, Cedar Oxnard saw more than 10,500 patient visits, with each visit saving an average of $165 for a total of more than $1.7 million for the year. We provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations at all four Cedar clinic locations, which was expanded to include testing, vaccinations and symptomatic care for the seasonal flu in October. To date, more than 1,500 patients have been tested for COVID-19 at Cedar locations. Additionally, Pinnacle Health Management now offers convenient, on-site biometric screenings and flu vaccinations at employer locations and health fairs.
While the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose many challenges for employers and communities, Western Growers remains devoted to helping our members keep their businesses running and their employees healthy.
LOWER DRUG COSTS PinnacleRx Solutions (PRxS), our pharmacy benefit management company, has implemented several strategic cost-saving measures for plan members, including a co-pay subsidy program for high-cost drugs that yielded more than $1 million in member savings in 2021. Other cost-saving initiatives, along with a significant improvement in medical adherence rates, resulted in millions in member savings across all pharmacy claims in 2021.
PLAN ENHANCEMENTS In 2021, we made significant enhancements to our Western Growers Assurance Trust health plans to lower costs, expand services, and better meet the needs of our members and the agriculture industry. We also updated our plans to cover COVID-19 screenings, testing, vaccinations and telemedicine services at no cost to members.
ENHANCING THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE
We launched our newly redesigned WGAT website in June to provide our members convenient access to resources, forms and answers to frequently asked questions. We’ve also made it easier for plan participants, employers and providers to conveniently access our online portals directly from the website. WGAT health ID cards have been revised, effective 01/01/2022, to make it easier to read for plan participants and providers. The revised health ID cards include additional cost-sharing details, such as deductible and out-of- pocket maximum amounts. We have enhanced our Cedar Network provider directory to allow members to conveniently select providers based on their specific needs. The online provider directories now include new search categories, such as languages spoken and digital contact information.
“ WGIS has always provided us great healthcare options and fantastic service. Nobody works harder to ensure that their customers are satisfied. Edward J. Verdugo CFO Harris Enterprises ”
PROTECTED.
INSURANCE SOLUTIONS BRINGING SOPHISTICATED CAPABILITIES AND INNOVATIVE RISK MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS TO AGRICULTURE.
Western Growers Insurance Services (WGIS) combines deep experience with insurance carriers and a sophisticated understanding of agriculture to develop innovative risk management solutions for our clients. WGIS also drives value to the industry through expert consultation, training and educational services. In 2021, WGIS launched several key programs to help our clients respond to emerging trends, including the launch of tailored cyber policies through our new Cyber Risk Management Solution . WGIS also rolled out our Employee Benefits Transparency and Funding capabilities, allowing participants insight into their cost drivers and creating a path to the option of self-insurance. Other 2021 initiatives included the expansion of our food safety risk management capabilities for contamination and recall, and the introduction of a solution for members with workers’ compensation claims issues that utilize proprietary technology and an exclusive insurance carrier relationship to net significant savings for our clients.
CONSULTATION AND TRAINING With expertise in employee health benefits and property and casualty insurance, WGIS continues to act as a resource for our clients by providing critical safety training services and timely insight on key member concerns. In 2021, WGIS conducted worker safety training for over 3,000 member participants and certified an additional 400 member employees in First Aid and CPR. WGIS also provided routine webinars and other resources on important industry topics including Cal OSHA’s Emergency COVID-19 Standards, cyber security, workers’ compensation and fire safety procedures.
“ Western Growers Insurance Services has been successfully managing our business insurance portfolio for the past seven years. Their depth of knowledge in the agricultural industry translates to sound counsel as they expertly guide us through the fluctuations in the commercial insurance marketplace. We’ve developed a strong business relationship and trust that they are protecting our human and fixed assets, now and for the years to come. Will Rousseau Rousseau Farming Company ”
WITH CHANGE.
FINANCIAL SERVICES FOCUSED ON ASSET MANAGEMENT AND RETIREMENT SECURITY.
With more than two decades of service to the fresh produce industry, Western Growers Financial Services (WGFS) continues to build on its tradition of excellence in managing client and corporate assets, and in providing flexible, cost-effective retirement savings plans that meet the unique needs of agriculture. All total, WGFS manages nearly $400 million in assets. After a seamless transition to a new Third Party Administrator (Northwest Plan Services) and custodian (Charles Schwab) in 2020, our Western Growers Retirement Security Plan added three new employer groups in 2021, bringing the total to 34 employers, 1,100 participants and more than $115 million in assets.
“
Importantly, with Northwest Plan Services and Charles Schwab in place, our Retirement Security Plan now offers both traditional 401(k) products and non-qualified plans, which can be an appealing option for companies looking to provide expanded retirement savings for top employees without running afoul of discrimination rules.
We are excited to be a part of a 401(k) plan that offers our employees the most flexibility with their retirement savings and understands their unique needs.
”
Todd Talley Talley Farms
Interested in learning more about the asset management and retirement savings capabilities of WGFS? Please contact Matt Lewis at (949) 885-2379 or mlewis@wga.com.
FINANCIALLY STRONG.
MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS PERFECTING THE ART OF TRADITIONAL AND DIGITAL MEDIA STRATEGIES.
DIGITAL MEDIA Through strategic social media campaigns and engaging digital content, Western Growers continues to target urban consumers with proactive messaging around key member issues. In 2021, Western Growers social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – achieved year-over-year increases in fans, reach and engagement.
Western Growers strives to advance the policy priorities of the fresh produce industry through the skilled and strategic use of public relations and digital media. In 2021, we expanded our reach and influence in both traditional and social media, helping to raise awareness of the major constraints facing Western agriculture while proactively sharing positive, farmer-centric messages with the public. PUBLIC RELATIONS During 2021, interviews with Western Growers executives and members achieved a potential reach of 1.7 billion media consumers. Top mainstream outlets included the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, Associated Press, NPR, Bloomberg, CBS Sunday Morning, Univision, PBS NewsHour and Wired . Major stories involved the drought, water infrastructure, supply chain disruptions, labor shortages, immigration reform, pesticide use and agtech.
The top social media campaigns in 2021 included:
Farm Fresh: A series of videos featuring the extraordinary skill and ingenuity of farmers and farmworkers who work to bring food to tables across the country and around the world. These three videos – featuring harvesting, processing and automation – collectively garnered 25 million views . No Water = No Crops: A series of videos demonstrating the impact of the drought on California farming operations, and the cascading impact on farmworkers and rural communities. In addition to more than 70,000 views on Facebook, these videos were cross promoted in a press release that was picked up by 14 media outlets, including NPR and The Packer, with a potential reach of 14.4 million media consumers .
Extending our commitment to excellence in public relations, Western Growers hired our first-ever Media Relations Manager in July 2021. With more than two decades of journalism and multimedia experience, Ann Donahue brings a professional skill set well-suited to building a best-in-class media relations program.
97% INCREASE IN FANS 230% INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT 56 MILLION IMPRESSIONS 24% INCREASE IN FANS 86% INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT 831,000 MPRESSIONS
“ The media professionals at WG work hard to ensure our members’ voices are included and accurately portrayed in mainstream news stories, helping shape positive public perceptions of our industry. Jack Vessey Vessey and Company ”
14% INCREASE IN FANS
5,000 TOTAL INTERACTIONS
OUR VOICE.
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPING TECH-SAVVY WORKERS TO MEET FUTURE AGRICULTURAL WORKFORCE NEEDS.
To help meet the evolving demands of an evolving agricultural landscape, Western Growers launched an AgTech Workforce Readiness Campaign in August 2021, which includes the following new initiatives:
NextGen Curriculum Development: In August 2021, Western Growers unveiled a partnership with CDFA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop cross-disciplinary curriculum for 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities that
AgTechX Ed: In June 2021, Western Growers teamed up with Karen Ross, California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary, to launch a series of statewide AgTech educational events aimed at identifying the skills and training necessary to adapt to the changing needs of agriculture.
combines engineering, biology, agronomy and computer science. These multi-faceted skillsets are needed to help build, service, operate and repair new AgTech innovations.
HR COMPENSATION AND HR PRACTICES SURVEY BETTER DATA TO HELP YOU ATTRACT AND RETAIN TOP TALENT.
can make better informed business decisions when planning a competitive total reward strategy for their employees.
To help our members compete for the top talent in the agriculture industry, Western Growers provides the only compensation survey specific to the Arizona and California produce industry. Armed with details on health plan coverage, incentive and bonus programs, and pay data for 84 different jobs, our members
Importantly, the compensation survey includes a field workers module, which includes base pay, incentives, and piece rate earnings for 22 hourly and professional level jobs. The field worker section of the HR practices survey reports data on the H-2A visa program, field housing, eligibility for fringe benefits, and special incentive programs.
The compensation and HR practices surveys provide the much needed guidance in making well informed decisions that are in line with the current market conditions and with other key players in the same industry. Eddie Moreno, CFO, CPA, MBA Rio Farms ” “
In 2021, we added the following data:
COVID-19 practices
Annual piece rate earnings
Pay data for seasonal and fulltime employees
An exclusive member benefit, participants receive a free copy of the survey results, which is valued at more than $2,500. Participation is fast and easy, with efficient online or spreadsheet options that can be completed at your convenience.
Go to https://www.agsalary.com for more information and a link to the survey.
YOUR TEAMS.
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT CULTIVATING THE NEXT GENERATION OF INDUSTRY LEADERS.
FUTURE VOLUNTEER LEADERS PROGRAM After beginning the program with a virtual orientation session and board meeting in early 2021, Class Six attended the first in-person Western Growers event of the year with the July Board Meeting in Dana Point, Calif. There, the nine Future Volunteer Leaders had an opportunity to network with the Western Growers Board of Directors and attend the committee and board meetings. In 2022, during the second year of the program, the leadership class will attend the quarterly board meetings; travel to Florida to tour agricultural operations and network with members of the Florida Fruit & Vegetable Association’s leadership program; and join the membership in celebration of the fresh produce industry at the 2022 Annual Meeting in Las Vegas. Through exposure to the board and board proceedings, the goal of this program is to prepare class participants for future positions of voluntary industry leadership. To date, seven alumni of the Future Voluntary Leaders Program have sat on the Western Growers Board of Directors, including six current Directors.
PHILLIP ADAM Innovative Produce
TRACY JONES Booth Ranches
KRISTEN SMITH ESHAYA JV Smith Companies
MASON BRADY Homegrown Organics Farms
COLBY PEREIRA Braga Fresh Family
AMBER STROHAUER Strohauer Farms
ROCKY HAMPTON LIDCO
GARRET POWELL Peter Rabbit Farms
GRANT TALLEY Talley Farms
WG WOMEN Launched in 2020 to prepare women for positions of leadership within the fresh produce industry, the WG Women program continued to navigate a virtual environment in 2021, offering online courses in performance coaching, advocacy and mentorship. Additionally, WG Women hosted a first-ever virtual networking session for program participants. The year concluded with an in-person Arbinger leadership training workshop.
In 2021, 44 women joined WG Women, bringing the total to 65 active members of the program. Significantly, three women earned the status of WG Women Ambassador through successful completion of the program requirements.
Lacy Litten Teixeira Farms Heather Mulholland Mulholland Citrus Sarah McClarty HMC Farms
“ WG understands the unique challenges facing women in agriculture. As I look forward to my own career growth, I am thankful WG is at the forefront of ensuring women can and will succeed in this industry. Lacy Litten Teixeira Farms ”
THE FUTURE.
TRADE PRACTICES PROVIDING GUIDANCE ON SALES CONTRACTS AND COLLECTIONS SUPPORT.
Western Growers is committed to providing our members with expertise on the rights and remedies available to sellers of perishable commodities under PACA. In 2021, we conducted 24 virtual PACA Sales 101 training sessions covering best practices and contract compliance. Additional guidance was provided in our monthly Produce Insights blog, which discussed a range of topics from amending sales contracts to protecting PACA Trust rights.
In response to general industry confusion around Walmart’s On-Time In-Full (OTIF) policy, Western Growers presented a webinar and companion collateral to assist our shipper members in navigating the compliance metrics and mitigating potential fines.
Western Growers also specializes in collecting monies owed to the shipping community from slow pay and disputed sales contracts. In 2021, we handled 28 PACA actions for 16 shipper members, recovering more than $920,000 to our members’ bottom lines. We also secured the formal dismissal of two PACA Petitions for Reconsideration totaling $45,000 in additional damages.
“
WG Trade Practices Dept. has been instrumental in guiding our company with PACA education and collection efforts. Bryan Nickerson is truly an awesome resource we rely on to receive real-time sales advice and has a wealth of fair-trade tactics to help ensure we get paid. Western Growers Trade Practices is my go to resource! Hope Barbee Double Date Packing Vice President-Sales ”
Interested in guidance on sales contracts and collections support? Please contact Bryan Nickerson at (949) 885-2392 or bnickerson@wga.com.
GLOBALLY.
ANNUAL MEETING THE PREMIER INDUSTRY NETWORKING AND EDUCATIONAL EVENT.
With the cancellation of the Western Growers Annual Meeting in 2020, its return in 2021 represented an opportunity to celebrate the resiliency of the Western fresh produce industry. Amid a global pandemic, Western Growers members have rallied to continue providing a healthy, abundant supply of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts to consumers across the country and world. More than ever, the value of common association was demonstrated by strong participation from members and industry allies, and substantial support from recurring and new sponsors. Attendees were treated to first-class social events, educational sessions, speakers and entertainment that have become the hallmarks of the Western Growers Annual Meeting.
Kickoff Keynote: Featured Magatte Wade, a remarkable Senegal-born entrepreneur, visionary business leader and inspirational speaker. Her passion for creating positive change in Africa captivated the audience. PAC Lunch: Headlined by Gordon Chang, lawyer, author, columnist and television commentator. Chang used his remarks to discuss current geopolitical trends in China and forecast the future of U.S.-China relations. Featured Sessions on water and agriculture in the West and controlled environment agriculture. AgSharks ® : 3Bar Biologics, with its living agricultural microbe products, walked away with the coveted $250,000 in investment capital from S2G Ventures.
Highlights of the 95th Annual Meeting at the Fairmont Grand Del Mar in San Diego, Calif., included:
Board Meeting: Hank Giclas was recognized for his three decades of service to Western Growers, and outgoing Chairman Ryan Talley of Talley Farms was honored for his extraordinary two-year tenure. During the traditional passing of the gavel ceremony, Talley turned the 2022 chairmanship over to Albert Keck of Hadley Date Gardens.
Chairman’s Luncheon and Keynote: During his Chairman’s Address, Ryan Talley provided an earnest case for the importance of fathers in building strong homes and communities. The keynote speaker, Constitutional scholar and lawyer Timothy Sandefur, examined the concept of a permission society and illustrated how the freedoms of Americans are increasingly being treated as privileges by the government. Award of Honor Dinner: Trailblazing agricultural advocate Carol Chandler was recognized for her lifetime of service to Western Growers and the fresh produce industry. An emphasis was placed on her enduring legacy of building future generation of women leaders in agriculture.
WITH FAMILY.
ANNUAL MEETING THANK YOU TO OUR GENEROUS 2021 SPONSORS.
DIAMOND SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS Anthem Blue Cross of California Bank of America C.H. Robinson Nutrien Ag Solutions Pinnacle Claims Management Quinn Company S2G Ventures Syngenta Western Growers Insurance Services
BRONZE SPONSORS AFCO – A Zep Company First Health Network Gowan Company Green Rubber Kennedy Ag LP IDecisionSciences LLC IFoodDS MUFG Union Bank NAPCO Pipe & Fittings Nelson Irrigation Corporation Netafim USA Pacific Southwest Container LLC Procurant USA LLC Rivulis Eurodrip Rynn and Janowsky LLP Seed Innovation & Protection Alliance Western Precooling WestRock
GOLD SPONSORS Alvys Farmer Business Network PGIM Real Estate (Prudential Ag Investments) Tive Inc
SILVER SPONSORS Corteva Agriscience Heartland Financial USA International Paper John Deere Miller Chemical and Fertilizer LLC Rabo AgriFinance Trical Inc Wells Fargo Bank Western Growers Financial Services Zenith Insurance Company
INDUSTRY PARTNERS AgCode Inc AGQ USA Inc Ayrstone Productivity Barkley Ag Enterprises LLC BASF Corporation Belli Architectural Group Blue Book Services Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP Cool Pak LLC Emerald Packaging Inc Ganaz Inc Grimmway Enterprises Inc Holaday Seed Company Inc International Paper
JRG Attorneys at Law Keithly-Williams Seeds King City Nursery Law Offices of Shawn Caine MIXTEC Group Prime Time International Ramsay Highlander Inc Rijk Zwaan USA Rogitex Sakata Seed America Inc Sensitech Inc Southern Valley Chemical Co Sturdy Oil Company Valent USA LLC Vegetable Growers Supply Co
WITH FAMILY.
LEADERSHIP 2021 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GEORGE J. ADAM Innovative Produce Santa Maria, California ALEXANDRA ALLEN Main Street Produce Santa Maria, California KEVIN S. ANDREW Illume Agriculture Bakersfield, California ROBERT K. BARKLEY Barkley Ag Enterprises LLP Yuma, Arizona STEPHEN J. BARNARD Mission Produce, Inc. Oxnard, California BARDIN E. BENGARD Bengard Ranch Salinas, California LOREN BOOTH Booth Ranches Orange Cove, California GEORGE BOSKOVICH III
EDWIN A. CAMP D. M. Camp & Sons Bakersfield, California CAROL CHANDLER Chandler Farms LP Selma, California
BRANDON A. GRIMM Grimmway Farms Arvin, California JOHN JACKSON Beachside Produce, LLC Nipomo, California A.G. KAWAMURA Orange County Produce, LLC Irvine, California ALBERT KECK Hadley Date Gardens Thermal, California J.P. LABRUCHERIE LaBrucherie Produce El Centro, California FRANK MACONACHY Ramsay Highlander, Inc. Gonzales, California JOHN S. MANFRE Frank Capurro and Son Moss Landing, California STEPHEN MARTORI III Martori Farms Scottsdale, Arizona HAROLD MCCLARTY HMC Farms Kingsburg, California TOM MULHOLLAND Mulholland Citrus Orange Cove, California
ALEXANDER T. MULLER Pasquinelli Produce Co. Yuma, Arizona DOMINIC J. MUZZI Muzzi Family Farms, LLC Moss Landing, California MARK NICKERSON Prime Time International Coachella, California THOMAS M. NUNES The Nunes Company, Inc. Salinas, California STEPHEN F. PATRICIO Westside Produce Firebaugh, California
VICTOR SMITH JV Smith Companies Yuma, Arizona RYAN TALLEY Talley Farms Arroyo Grande, California BRUCE C. TAYLOR Taylor Farms California Salinas, California STUART WOOLF Woolf Farming & Processing Fresno, California
LAWRENCE W. COX Lawrence Cox Ranches Brawley, California STEPHEN F. DANNA Danna Farms, Inc. Yuba City, California JOHN C. D’ARRIGO D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of California Salinas, California THOMAS DEARDORFF II Deardorff Family Farms Oxnard, California FRANZ W. DE KLOTZ* Peter Rabbit Farms Coachella, California SAMUEL D. DUDA Duda Farm Fresh Foods, Inc. Salinas, California CATHERINE A. FANUCCHI
ROB YRACEBURU Wonderful Orchards Shafter, California
RON RATTO Ratto Bros. Inc. Modesto, California
CRAIG A. READE Bonipak Produce, Inc. Santa Maria, California ERIC T. REITER Reiter Affiliated Companies Oxnard, California JOSEPH A. RODRIGUEZ The Growers Company, Inc. Somerton, Arizona WILL ROUSSEAU Rousseau Farming Company Tolleson, Arizona
Boskovich Farms Oxnard, California
RODNEY BRAGA Braga Ranch, Soledad California NEILL CALLIS Turlock Fruit Company Turlock, California
Tri-Fanucchi Farms Inc. Bakersfield, California DAVID L. GILL Rio Farms King City, California
*The fresh produce family tragically lost WG Director Franz De Klotz on Dec. 4, 2021. May he rest in peace.
WESTERN GROWERS ASSOCIATION phone: (949) 863-1000 | fax: (949) 863-9028 email: info@wga.com | wga.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28 Page 29 Page 30 Page 31 Page 32 Page 33 Page 34 Page 35 Page 36 Page 37 Page 38 Page 39 Page 40 Page 41 Page 42 Page 43 Page 44Made with FlippingBook Ebook Creator