Western Growers Guide to Membership Your strength is our priority.
Relied upon by over 2,200 members who produce more than half of the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, WESTERN GROWERS ASSOCIATION is dedicated to preserving a viable future for agriculture in the West. Gain a competitive advantage and enhance your profitability with one of the most powerful and influential trade associations in the United States.
GROW Your Voice. GROW Protected. GROW Stronger.
With your help, we continue to influence change, ensuring the industry’s stability and your success. We believe there is strength in numbers and together, our voice is powerful. Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide more than half of the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America’s fresh organic produce. Since 1926, Western Growers has been dedicated to understanding our members’ needs to provide tailored solutions, resources, services and guidance – including state and federal lobbying, affordable health benefits, food safety leadership and training, crop protection, human resources, labor law, PACA support, and more. We are here to satisfy one mission: to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of our members.
STATS & FACTS
2,200+ MEMBERS REPRESENTING GROWERS, SHIPPERS, PROCESSORS AND ALLIED INDUSTRIES
Est. in 1926
$2.5M+ DOLLARS COLLECTED
3,000+ TRAINED IN HR, LEGAL, FOOD SAFETY, AND MORE
AS A TRUSTED BRAND IN THE FRESH PRODUCE INDUSTRY
THROUGH WG PACA CONSULTING
....................................................................
“WESTERN GROWERS is a proactive organization that drives innovation and helps agriculture be competitive on a worldwide basis.” – Carol Chandler, Chandler Farms
....................................................................
The Leading Voice in Western Agriculture
Western Growers’ state and national influence sets our association apart from the rest and is leading the charge in every facet of specialty crop agriculture. Our expert team of in-house professional advocates in Sacramento, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., are fighting every day on behalf of our members. Our Board of Directors are elected by their peers and are dedicated to supporting the members in their districts. Many are multi-generational business leaders who represent the most respected fresh produce companies in the industry. Together, the Western Growers Board and staff advocate for our members on:
• Immigration • Crop Protection • Labor Availability • Water Supply
• Food Safety/Food Security/Sustainability • Workplace Regulations and Labor Issues • Environmental Regulatory Issues • PACA Support • Transportation and Trade Barriers • Crisis Guidance – Tariffs, natural disasters, COVID-19
....................................................................
“WESTERN GROWERS allows each farmer in California and Arizona one voice when tackling issues that affect all farmers and the future of agriculture. This is extremely important for each grower to be able to work collaboratively to achieve one goal to sustain farming in California and Arizona.” – Ryan Van Groningen, Van Groningen & Sons
....................................................................
Exclusive Member Benefits Collections and PACA Support We proudly return millions of dollars to members each year by: • Assisting in collections on slow-paying and disputed sales contracts • Guidance in PACA trust actions • Product guarantee statements and contract reviews • PACA education, consultation and seminars Solutions to Build a Strong Workforce • Professional compensation and HR practices surveys to help you attract the best talent • Expertise and assistance with H-2A temporary worker program process • Legal guidance through the HR and Legal Hotline – 877-942-4529 • Ag Legal Network – Members can take advantage of our network of member law firms offering a 15% or more discount off their regular fees. For a list of participating firms, call 877-942-4529. Transportation and International Trade Assistance • Access to the Western Growers Transportation Program – a full suite of logistics services to improve the efficiency of your supply chain and reduce freight costs • Expertise and assistance with regulations in U.S. and foreign markets • International Trade Advocacy – including exports, imports and trade barriers Science Services We use cutting-edge science to: • Provide world-class food safety guidance, informational and training resources and industry representation • Drive data endeavors to benefit the industry through the enhancement of science-based, data-informed best practices. • Promote environmental health through the development of sustainability practices, climate change science and crop protection tools. Center for Innovation & Technology • The Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology houses more than 50 Agtech startups, providing member access to new technologies, AgTechX events and opportunities to collaborate with innovators and entrepreneurs to solve the biggest challenges facing the fresh produce industry.
Insurance Solutions for Ag Insurance solutions to meet the unique needs of agriculture since 1957. Our full-service insurance agency provides: • Access to Western Growers Assurance Trust, the largest provider of health benefits for the agriculture industry • Customizable benefit plans to meet the diverse needs of owners, managers, field workers and seasonal employees • Business insurance, including recall, cargo, general liability, workers’ compensation and more • Safety, loss control and claims management services to ensure a safe work environment and minimize claims expenses • Access to Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc., a full-service third-party administrator for companies who want to self-fund • Western Growers Retirement Security Plan – Exclusive to members and provides employees with a 401(k) plan that saves money and time administering it. Because of its size and scale, the Western Growers RSP has a large asset base with multiple employers and nearly a thousand participants, ensuring both employer and participant fees remain low. Western Growers University Offers onsite and virtual training tailored for the agricultural sector, exclusive member pricing and bilingual options in English and Spanish. Explore from more than 20 courses, including: • Preventing Discrimination and Harassment Financial Services • Business and individual investment services
• HR and Legal Topics • Management Skills • Leadership Development • Career Advancement Media and Communications Influencing the Industry through Voice and Visibility
• WG Spotlight newsletter, highlighting key developments within the industry • Member Alerts apprising members of urgent or critical industry developments • The Western Grower & Shipper magazine, with extensive coverage of industry news, legislative issues and member recognition • Comprehensive coverage through Western Growers social media platforms – X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn
Cultivating a New Generation of Leaders
WG Women The WG Women program is focused on preparing women for positions of leadership within Western Growers and/or the fresh produce industry. The key objective is to enhance and promote an ag industry that elevates women to the highest levels of a company and/or industry leadership. Future Volunteer Leaders The competitively selected Future Volunteer Leaders Program is designed for the next generation of leaders within Western Growers member companies who are interested in becoming effective advocates for the ag industry. The WG Foundation The Western Growers Foundation ensures the future viability of the fresh produce industry through advancements in innovation, research and workforce development. “WESTERN GROWERS is executing on its commitment to building the next generation of dynamic, influential leaders in the California and Arizona fresh produce industry.” – Heather Mulholland, Mulholland Citrus ....................................................................
....................................................................
Networking and Events Members can engage with leaders in the industry at various events, including the Annual Meeting, WG Women, AgTechX, CIT and more. The Western Growers Annual Meeting provides members a chance to network with premier leaders in the industry and take advantage of dynamic keynote speakers, education opportunities, and celebrate the WG Annual Award of Honor recipient.
Contact Us Western Growers has a full team of experts dedicated to supporting our members.
ANNUAL MEETING Cory Lunde clunde@wga.com 949-885-2264 COMMODITY & SUPPLY CHAIN SERVICES Bryan Nickerson bnickerson@wga.com 949-885-4808 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, DC Dennis Nuxoll dnuxoll@wga.com 202-296-0191 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, STATE (CA/AZ) Matthew Allen mallen@wga.com 916-446-1435 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, SACRAMENTO Gail Delihant gdelihant@wga.com 916-446-1435 GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, PHOENIX Robert Medler rmedler@wga.com 949-308-5658 HUMAN RESOURCES Karen Timmins ktimmins@wga.com 949-885-2295 INTERNATIONAL TRADE Tracey Chow tchow@wga.com 202-296-0191
LEGAL & LABOR SERVICES Jason Resnick jresnick@wga.com 949-885-2253 MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS Ann Donahue adonahue@wga.com
WESTERN GROWERS ASSURANCE TRUST Steve Mangapit smangapit@wga.com 949-885-2222 WESTERN GROWERS CENTER FOR INNOVATION & TECHNOLOGY Walt Duflock wduflock@wga.com 949-345-5997 WESTERN GROWERS FINANCIAL SERVICES Matt Lewis mlewis@wga.com 949-885-2379 WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION Dennis Donohue ddonohue@wga.com 831-240-8569 WESTERN GROWERS INSURANCE SERVICES Jeff Gullickson jgullickson@wgis.com 949-885-2351 WESTERN GROWERS UNIVERSITY Priscila Cisneros westerngrowersuniversity@ wga.com 949-439-3740 WG WOMEN PROGRAM Cierra Allen callen@wga.com 949-885-2279
949-302-7600 MEMBERSHIP Cory Lunde clunde@wga.com 949-885-2264 PINNACLE CLAIMS
MANAGEMENT Steve Mangapit smangapit@pinnacletpa.com 949-885-2222 PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND WG PAC Cory Lunde clunde@wga.com 949-885-2264 SCIENCE De Ann Davis ddavis@wga.com 949-885-2205 Sonia Salas ssalas@wga.com 949-885-2251 TRANSPORTATION Bryan Nickerson bnickerson@wga.com 949-885-4808
A Mission That Matters WESTERN GROWERS has a unique mission... to enhance the competitiveness and profitability of family farmers, fresh produce growers, processors and shippers. .................................................................... ....................................................................
Join Today Gain full access to professional support, member-only discounts, exclusive webinars, tools and more.
Full Portfolio of Membership Benefits • Innovation through Science & Technology • Government Affairs • Financial Services
Your Dedicated Membership Contacts • Matt Jones Industry Relations Manager mjones@wga.com 559-367-6112 • Robert Steinmann Member Relations Manager rsteinmann@wga.com 949-885-2266 • Cheryl Hall CRM System Analyst chall@wga.com 949-885-2268
• Media and Communications • Western Growers University • Western Growers Foundation
• Western Growers Insurance Services • Human Resources and Legal Support • H-2A Services • Transportation Program • International Trade • Collections, Contracts, PACA Support
Western Growers 6501 Irvine Center Drive, Suite 100, Irvine, CA 92618 Phone: 1-949-863-1000 Fax: 1-949-863-9028 Email: info@wga.com Web: www.wga.com
wg-mem_92625_24
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8Made with FlippingBook interactive PDF creator