SEPTEMBER | OCTOBER 2025
WHAT MAKES STEWART RESNICK WONDERFUL
CELEBRATING WESTERN GROWERS' 2025 AWARD OF HONOR RECIPIENT
WESTERN GROWER & SHIPPER Published Since 1929 Volume XCVI | Number 5
To enhance the competitiveness and profitability of Western Growers members
Dave Puglia President and CEO Western Growers davep@wga.com
Features
P. 14
Editor Michelle Rivera 949.885.4778 | mrivera@wga.com Contributors Ann Donahue 949.302.7600 | adonahue@wga.com Emily Gengler egengler@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
GRIT, GROWTH AND GIVING BACK Wonderful Co.'s Stewart Resnick is Our 2025 Award of Honor Recipient
P. 19
CALIFORNIANS IN BRAZIL A Delegation for Innovation, Sustainability and Collaboration
P. 22
WESTERN GROWERS AG LEGAL NETWORK DIRECTORY
Articles
P. 34
WGCIT RESIDENT PROFILE VERDANT ROBOTICS REVOLUTIONIZING AGRICULTURE WITH PRECISION TECHNOLOGY
TOGETHER.
Departments
WGA.COM
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 10 Science 12 Health and Wellness 13 Membership Spotlight
32 WG Member Welcome & Anniversaries 35 WG Leadership Program 36 Updates from the WGCIT 37 WG News You Can Use 40 Connections 41 Contact Us 42 Farm Dogs and Barn Cats of Western Growers
29 Director Profile 30 Member Profile
3 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
CAN CALIFORNIA STILL BUILD BIG STUFF? By Dave Puglia, President and CEO
This may be unfair to former Gov. Jerry Brown, but I want to reflect on a comment he made years ago that haunts me as we consider the increasingly tenuous fate of the Sites Reservoir project. Shortly after returning to Sacramento in 2011 for his third term as Governor, the WG Executive Committee met with Brown over dinner. He was intensely focused on advancing two big infrastructure projects. One of those – the Delta tunnels project – had our keen interest and support. (The other was the High-Speed Rail project.) Brown was highly informed and energetic, exuding confidence about his ability to drive both projects forward before his term(s) ended. As we talked about the roadblocks that would inevitably emerge – mostly involving litigation brought by environmental organizations that had mastered the use of lawsuits to block water infrastructure projects – the Governor turned dour and said, “I’m not sure California is capable of big projects anymore.” It was jarring coming from an ambitious governor whose father, Gov. Pat Brown, made several really big projects happen, including much of the State Water Project. Soon after, in 2014, Jerry Brown championed Prop. 1, a somewhat scaled down version of the 2009 water bond passed by the Legislature with former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s heavy push. With strong voter approval of a water bond with $2.7 billion targeted toward water storage projects – both above ground and below – it seemed that California might actually do big things, at least relative to water supply. Eleven years later, we can say that Sites Reservoir – well-positioned for Prop. 1 funding – is a lot closer to breaking ground. But we can also see cause for concern. After all, it’s been 11 years. When major infrastructure projects hit the initial planning stage, construction costs are pegged. But as we all know, especially in California, construction costs are sadly not static. This was one of the reasons another initially favored water storage project, expansion of the Los Vaqueros Reservoir in the East Bay, fell apart last year. Initially projected to cost about $915 million, the project cost increased to $1.6 billion by 2024. That pain was compounded by regulatory requirements added by state fish and wildlife regulators that reduced its projected water yield by up to 30 percent. A jump of 57 percent in cost for 30 percent less water. Predictably, the water
districts that would pay for all this bolted and the project has been abandoned. Could this be the path Sites is on? When it was first proposed for Prop. 1 funding, Sites was projected to cost $4.4 billion. Recently, the cost projection was increased to as much as $6.8 billion. Construction cost inflation, regulatory (i.e., environmental) requirements and design changes have combined to the chagrin of the water users responsible for paying for the water that would be provided. Helpfully, Gov. Newsom recently upped the state’s commitment by $219 million, on top of the $875 million previously awarded under Prop. 1. And that got me thinking about the “beneficiary pays” principle in water projects. Under the construct of Prop. 1 and previous state water bonds, taxpayer funds are to be used only for the public benefits of a water project. Environmental flows that support fish and wildlife downstream, for example. Water that is utilized for other purposes, like agriculture and municipal systems, is to be financed by those water users. In reality, this construct has forced water users, at least in the case of Los Vaqueros, to walk away as the price per acre foot of water reaches economically impractical heights. When the water users (again, think cities and farmers) walk away, and the storage project dies, the impacts go far beyond the narrow definition of “beneficiaries.” As the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and constricted water supply via the Delta are demonstrating already, when farming scales back due to water cuts, the economic well-being of entire regions and millions of people is threatened. Sure, a canal delivers water to a farm, but that farm and thousands like it together form the foundation of a regional economy. The people who own and work in businesses that are ”ag-adjacent” are as much the beneficiaries of water delivered to farms as the farmers themselves. Call me crazy, but I think it’s time to revisit the “beneficiary pays” principle in water policy. California writ large is the beneficiary of a large and vibrant agriculture sector, thanks to the tax revenue it generates, and many millions of our fellow Californians are connected in myriad ways to the industry. Jerry Brown may or may not agree, but it just might be true: California will not build big water projects again unless we toss this outdated and narrow-minded policy out the window and think bigger.
4 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
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H-2A ENFORCEMENT AFTER SUN VALLEY ORCHARDS
What Employers Need to Know By Jason Resnick, Senior Vice President and General Counsel
• Public rights exception doesn’t apply – While H-2A has immigration elements, the violations here related to domestic employment conditions, not the admission or exclusion of foreign nationals. That placed the case outside the narrow “immigration exception” to Article III adjudication. • No waiver – Sun Valley did not “consent” to ALJ adjudication because DOL gave no meaningful choice; exhaustion arguments were also waived by the government. The bottom line : if DOL wants to impose civil money penalties and back-pay awards for alleged H-2A contract violations, it must proceed in federal court before an Article III judge.
In a decision that could reshape how the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) enforces the H-2A agricultural guestworker program, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit has ruled in Sun Valley Orchards v. U.S. Department of Labor that employers facing substantial civil money penalties and back-pay awards are entitled to have their cases heard in an Article III court—not solely before the DOL’s in-house administrative law judges (ALJs). This ruling follows the Supreme Court’s landmark 2024 decision in SEC v. Jarkesy, which struck down the SEC’s use of in-house tribunals to impose civil penalties for securities fraud. The Third Circuit applied the same reasoning to the H-2A context, holding that DOL’s enforcement action against Sun Valley—for alleged violations of its job order obligations to both H-2A and U.S. “corresponding” workers—was, in substance, a common-law breach-of-contract dispute seeking legal remedies. What Happened in Sun Valley Orchards Sun Valley, a New Jersey produce grower, was cited by DOL for numerous alleged violations in the 2015 season, including housing deficiencies, lack of promised kitchen access, charging for meals and beverages without notice, unsafe transportation and failure to meet the “three-fourths guarantee” of work hours. DOL’s Wage and Hour Division assessed more than $212,000 in civil penalties and over $369,000 in back wages. Under DOL’s current rules, an employer who contests such findings must request a hearing before a DOL ALJ. That’s what Sun Valley did, and after the ALJ and DOL’s Administrative Review Board upheld most of the violations, the farm went to federal court—not to re-litigate the facts, but to challenge DOL’s authority to impose these penalties administratively. The Third Circuit agreed with Sun Valley, reversing the district court’s dismissal and holding: • Nature of the claim – The enforcement action resembled a breach-of-contract case because the H-2A job order operates as a work contract, and the penalties sought were legal in nature (civil money penalties and deterrent-based back wages).
Why This Matters for H-2A Employers The decision has immediate and potentially far-reaching implications:
1. Challenge to DOL’s administrative enforcement model – For decades, DOL has relied on its own ALJs to enforce H-2A job order terms. If Sun Valley stands, DOL may have to file its cases in federal court, with all the procedural protections, evidentiary rules and appellate review that entails. 2. Stronger procedural safeguards – Article III courts mean employers get a jury trial right (in cases seeking legal remedies), full application of the Federal Rules of Evidence (e.g., hearsay rule applies in federal court, not in administrative proceedings) and independent judges with life tenure and salary protection. 3. Potential ripple effect nationwide – As of this writing, at least three other cases across the country have been stayed while district courts consider whether DOL has the authority to adjudicate such matters administratively, in light of Jarkesy , or must proceed in Article III courts. Employers facing pending ALJ hearings may wish to consult counsel about whether to raise similar constitutional challenges.
6 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
4. Settlement posture changes – DOL has historically used the cost and burden of ALJ litigation to leverage settlements. The prospect of federal-court proceedings—often more time- consuming and expensive for the agency—could shift the balance in negotiations. Practical Takeaways for Employers • Assess your risk profile now – Use an H-2A filing agent like Western Growers H-2A Services to review your H-2A compliance practices, especially housing, meals, transportation and hour guarantees. Strong documentation and consistent adherence to job order terms remain your best defense. • Know your procedural rights – If cited for violations and ordered to pay civil money penalties or back wages, consider whether you can invoke Sun Valley to demand an Article III forum. • Coordinate with counsel early – Given the evolving legal landscape, legal strategy should be developed before deciding whether to settle, proceed before an ALJ, or challenge DOL’s forum in federal court. This decision is all the more important in light of the Department of Homeland Security’s Farmworker Protection Rule, in which findings of wrongdoing by DOL could later be used by USCIS to prevent employers from using the H-2A program.
• Monitor ongoing litigation – The Sun Valley reasoning could be adopted or rejected by other circuits, in which case the Supreme Court may ultimately resolve the split. Staying informed will help you adapt quickly. Why This Case Matters The Sun Valley Orchards decision is a watershed moment for agricultural labor law enforcement. For H-2A employers, it signals that the government’s long-standing administrative process for imposing substantial penalties may no longer be the final word. Understanding both your compliance obligations and your constitutional rights will be essential to navigating DOL enforcement. For questions about the Sun Valley Orchards decision or the H-2A program, contact the Western Growers H-2A Services team at h2a@wga.com.
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7 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
IT’S HEALTHY TO ACCEPT RISK By Matthew Allen, Vice President, State Government Affairs
At the time of this writing, my wife and I have a beginner driver at home who is just now getting comfortable with the basics of driving. His focus is on the steering wheel, gas and brake pedals, mirrors and (hopefully) the traffic that engulfs him on his drive to school. I drew the short straw to be his main instructor, but I admit that I am thoroughly enjoying it. I’ve found it to be a great bonding experience even though I am now somehow chastised if I happen to exceed the speed limit every now and then when I am in the driver’s seat. As the expression goes, “no good deed goes unpunished.” In all seriousness though, this new experience has prompted me to think more deeply about the issue of risk and risk management. These are two topics that I have written extensively about in previous articles. California state government at both the legislative and regulatory levels has made reducing risk a key objective across numerous issue areas. We are all too familiar with the ongoing drive to further mitigate pesticides, harmful air emissions and potentially harmful compounds in water. In addition, we are always told that more labor law protections need to be added to the books in order to safeguard the interests of employees since employers cannot be trusted. I’ve often wondered to myself and even spoken out loud, “what is causing this endless reaction?” Some of this can be attributed to labor interests but I think it goes deeper than that. My theory is that there has been a fundamental failure in accepting inherent risk within the environment in which we live. If there is no acceptance of inherent risk, then more always needs to be done (science based or not) to eliminate the risk entirely. The slippery slope becomes, “it’s theoretically possible, even with the new label restrictions, that this pesticide could have a de minimus impact on birds. Therefore, we need to further mitigate or cancel this registration.” This is not a healthy way to view or interact with the world around us. There is no such thing as zero risk. We accept risk when we take a medication for strep throat, when we take an over-the-counter medication for a headache, or even when we go to a restaurant. We are accepting inherent risk and enjoying our meal. Why? Because history has shown that 99.9 percent of the time we aren’t experiencing any negative health outcomes because the restaurant staff is engaging in the right food handling protocols to ensure food safety. I am accepting a slightly elevated risk level with my son as I drive with him to school. We are mitigating this by doing the right things by abiding by the speed limit, wearing seatbelts, scanning ahead for traffic avoidance
and allowing more time to get to our destination. If he or I failed to accept even inherent risk, there would be absolutely no driving. We couldn’t really find an alternative like walking to school or work either since that has risk, too. We would just sit on the couch at home or live in a bubble. Oops, that also has risk. One can never escape risk. Failing to accept and embrace some level of risk hampers learning, creates unbalanced decision-making and limits the ability to grow. Engaging in regulatory actions will be much more meaningful and the impacts of those regulations will be much more effective if risk is accepted at the forefront of the discussions. Once that is acknowledged, truly practical and attainable regulations can be promulgated that are protective of the workplace, the environment and the livelihoods of employers and their employees. Otherwise, we will remain caught in the endless cycle of chasing the unattainable. I don’t want to chase the unattainable. I want my son to get his license so that his mom and I don’t need to keep driving him to school and to his sports activities so he can thrive and gain a new level of independence as he embraces risk and learns to mitigate those risks.
8 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
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DESIGNING FOR SUCCESS By Joelle Mosso, Assistant Vice President, Science Programs
“You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” -James Clear, Atomic Habits
It is common in business to talk about designing for success. That means intentionally crafting systems and strategies that consistently deliver a product to customers efficiently, reliably and profitably. The faster and smoother we produce, the greater our efficiency— and the higher our profits. In short, “success is found in the systems you build.” The same principle applies to personal health. We work to align exercise and nutritious eating to hopefully improve overall fitness, strength and health. By understanding our physiology and how our body specifically reacts to different treatments (e.g., running, swimming, calorie reduction, weightlifting), we learn over time to augment the behaviors that lead to the outcomes we want. Conversely, we also learn to deprioritize activities and behaviors that lead to outcomes we don’t want, such as consuming too many calories, uneven weight training, too little cardio and smoking. An increasingly popular tool being used to speed our learning abilities is that of wearable technologies, like the Apple Watch, Oura Ring, WHOOP, Google Pixel and FitBit. These technologies aim to deliver real-time personalized feedback on our overall system attributes (i.e., temperature, sleep patterns, blood pressure, heart rate, weight, body fat, heart rate variability). With this information, these tools visualize variables about our baseline systems—when we are awake, asleep, sick, injured, exercising, stressed or lounging. Basically, these technologies translate our current state into individual and relational measurements that unearth patterns and trends that aid in unlocking which behaviors positively impact physiology. These tools help us fine-tune our actions to prevent illness and improve performance. By clearly defining our baseline, we can better detect early warnings and proactively manage our health. Let’s shift the narrative away from food safety failures and instead focus on what characterizes success. "Success in fresh produce food safety isn’t about eliminating all risk—it’s about deeply understanding the system, building smart
Fresh produce is a complex system that is both scientifically and artfully managed through deep understanding and expertise of growers and processors. Briefly, a crop is planted, grown, harvested, cooled, processed, packed, shipped, stocked, shopped and plated. That’s a lot of systems to optimize, and certainly a lot to manage (directly and indirectly) successfully. Throw in uncontrollable weather, wildlife, etc., and you can begin to comprehend just how much it takes to get a veggie, salad or fruit safely onto a consumer’s plate. We have too many food safety events in fresh produce. Leafy greens, a leading category linked to illness, has a recent study that estimates the category alone contributes to 2.3 million foodborne illnesses per year. That is a very real and significant concern. But here’s the counterpoint to that statistic – those illnesses represent 0.004 percent of the estimated 55 billion servings of leafy greens consumed per year. That means that 99.996 percent of servings are both safe and nutritious. Why does the counterstatement matter? Managing complex systems is, well, complex, and when 99.996 percent of servings are safe, it makes figuring out what went wrong in those 2.3 million (or 0.004 percent) really difficult to study. If water treatment failed or contaminated inputs were used, those are easier to identify and correct. But those simple scenarios don’t describe the reality of today’s growing practices. The 0.004 percent of failures are likely caused by a confluence of subtle factors and interactions, not a single point of failure. This is where the concept of “wearable technologies” for agriculture becomes powerful. Let’s start by better characterizing all the behaviors, practices, weather, adjacent land features, controls and processing events that lead to a successful, safe serving. By better understanding the agricultural vitals for health (baseline), we can start identifying patterns that show instability and potential for rare event failures to occur. AI and predictive tools could then detect early risk indicators, helping us prevent the rare failures and further drive up the 99.996 percent of safe servings. Success in fresh produce food safety isn’t about eliminating all risk—it’s about deeply understanding the system, building smart feedback loops and using data to keep improving. Let’s stop fixating on and only studying the failure. Let’s get better at defining, measuring and scaling success. Editor’s Note: This article has been updated to correct an error in the print edition.
feedback loops and using data to keep improving."
10 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
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EAT THE RAINBOW How Colorful Foods and Cutting Processed Junk Can Boost Your Health By Beth Sims, Manager, Health and Wellness, Pinnacle Claims Management, Inc.
If you’ve ever been told to eat your vegetables, you probably rolled your eyes and then maybe you reached for the chips. But as it turns out, mom (and your doctor) was onto something. Eating a wide variety of colorful fruits and vegetables isn’t just a health fad, it’s one of the simplest, most effective ways to fuel your body, fight disease and feel better every day. And no, eating the rainbow doesn’t mean polishing off a bag of colorful candy. We’re talking about real, natural, straight-from-the-earth foods that come in nature’s brightest colors. Behind the Scenes Each color in fruits and vegetables comes from natural plant compounds called phytonutrients—nature’s built- in health boosters. Here’s what the colors on your plate are doing for you behind the scenes: • Red (Tomatoes, Strawberries, Red Peppers) : Packed with lycopene and antioxidants to support your heart and protect against inflammation. • Orange/Yellow (Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Oranges) : Full of beta-carotene and vitamin C to boost your immune system and help you see in the dark (not superhero vision, but close). • Green (Spinach, Broccoli, Avocados) : Loaded with fiber, folate and iron; great for supporting brain function, aiding digestion, boosting energy levels and promoting heart health. • Blue/Purple (Blueberries, Eggplant, Purple Cabbage) : Rich in anthocyanins that help sharpen your memory and fight inflammation. • White/Brown (Garlic, Cauliflower, Mushrooms) : These immunity-boosting vegetables can help lower cholesterol and support overall health. And while they may not be as colorful, white veggies quietly deliver big benefits, proving you don’t have to be flashy to make a powerful impact. Bottom line? The more colors you eat, the more nutrients you’re giving your body to fight disease, build strength and boost energy. The Processed Food Trap (A Love Story with a Bad Ending) We all love a treat now and then with processed foods—chips, cookies, fast food and frozen dinners. They’re convenient, tasty and mostly inexpensive. But while your taste buds may love them, they’re not doing your heart, liver or waistline any favors. Most processed foods are full of:
• Added sugars that spike your blood sugar (and then make you crash) • Unhealthy fats that clog your arteries • Excess sodium that leaves you feeling bloated and thirsty • Artificial ingredients that your body doesn’t recognize and frankly, doesn’t want Over time, a steady diet of processed foods can increase your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and obesity. They might fill you up, but they leave your body running on empty. Easy Ways to Add More Color and Cut the Junk • Half Your Plate Rule : Make half your plate fruits and veggies at every meal. • Snack Smart : Swap out processed snacks for fresh fruits, veggies with hummus or a handful of nuts. Your heart and your bathroom scale will thank you. • Cook Simple Meals at Home : You don’t need to be a chef; just cook with whole ingredients whenever possible. • Read the Labels : If you can’t pronounce it or don’t know what it is, you probably shouldn’t be eating it. • Start Small : You don’t have to go from fast food fan to farmer’s market regular overnight. Start by adding one extra veggie or fruit a day. Think of your health like a long-term relationship. If you want it to last, you’ve got to put in the effort, and that means choosing real food over fake fixes. Eating the rainbow brings vibrant health benefits, and saying goodbye (or at least “see you less often”) to processed foods helps your body thrive.
12 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
MEMBERSHIP SPOTLIGHT HOW YOUR WG LEGAL BENEFITS HELP PROTECT YOUR AG BUSINESS By Cheryl Hall, Manager, Member Services
Running an agricultural operation today means navigating complex regulations, employment laws and immigration requirements. That’s where comprehensive membership benefits become invaluable, offering specialized legal support tailored specifically to the agricultural industry. The Ag Legal Network: Your Professional Legal Team The Western Growers Ag Legal Network connects WG members with WG member attorneys who specialize in representing agricultural businesses. These professionals understand the unique challenges facing agri-businesses, from water rights disputes to land use regulations. Network attorneys provide members with preferential rates. Whether dealing with contract disputes, regulatory compliance or business structure questions, the network eliminates the time- consuming process of researching and vetting attorneys. Members can quickly access qualified legal representation that understands agricultural operations. Legal Hotline: Quick Answers When You Need Them Not every legal question requires retaining counsel to secure legal advice. The Western Growers Legal Hotline addresses this reality by providing direct access to qualified attorneys for prompt legal guidance. This proves invaluable for situations that require professional guidance but don’t warrant full legal representation. Whether interpreting contract clauses, understanding new regulations or determining proper responses to legal notices, the hotline provides quick, authoritative answers. It also serves as an early warning system, helping identify potential issues before they escalate into costly problems. A quick consultation with our Western Growers Legal team can prevent minor misunderstandings from becoming major disputes or compliance violations. H-2A Services: Navigating Complex Immigration Requirements The H-2A temporary agricultural worker program provides crucial labor for many operations, but its complexity can be overwhelming. Western Growers H-2A Services covers the entire process, from initial application preparation to ongoing compliance assistance. Members receive help with preparing and filing H-2A job orders and applications, recruitment requirements, housing standards and transportation obligations. Since H-2A applications must be submitted months in advance with extensive documentation, professional assistance can mean the difference between securing needed workers and facing critical labor shortages. This fee-based service available exclusively to WG members extends beyond initial applications to ongoing compliance support. H-2A employers face numerous regulatory requirements throughout the program period, and expert assistance helps operations remain compliant while avoiding costly penalties or violations.
Personnel Procedures Manual: Your Employment Law Roadmap Employment law compliance represents one of agriculture’s most challenging aspects, given the industry’s unique characteristics and seasonal workforce needs. The comprehensive Personnel Procedures Manual provides the framework for maintaining compliant employment practices. This resource is specifically tailored to agricultural operations, addressing piece-rate pay systems, seasonal employment and agricultural exemptions to various labor laws. With federal, California-, and Arizona-specific guidance, the PPM provides standardized forms and procedures for hiring, discipline, termination and workplace safety, ensuring consistent and legally compliant treatment of all employees. The PPM serves as both a training tool for supervisors and a reference guide for daily employment decisions. It helps protect operations from wrongful termination claims, discrimination lawsuits and wage & hour violations by establishing clear, documented procedures that comply with current law. Regular updates ensure procedures remain current with changing regulations. The Integrated Advantage While each benefit provides significant individual value, their real strength lies in creating a comprehensive legal support system. The Legal Hotline and Personnel Procedures Manual can help interpret laws and regulations, while the Ag Legal Network provides representation when hotline guidance indicates serious legal issues. WG H-2A Services works with employment law guidance to ensure temporary agricultural worker programs comply with both program requirements and state and federal labor law obligations. This integrated approach prevents gaps and contradictions that These legal benefits transform from nice-to-have services into essential business tools. A single employment lawsuit or regulatory violation can cost tens of thousands of dollars, while comprehensive legal support typically costs a fraction of that amount annually. More importantly, these benefits provide peace of mind, allowing farmers and ranchers to focus on their primary business rather than worrying about legal compliance. The agricultural industry’s legal landscape will only grow more complex as regulations evolve. Operations that invest in comprehensive legal support position themselves to adapt successfully while protecting their businesses from costly legal problems. In today’s environment, these benefits aren’t only luxuries, they’re also essential tools for sustainable agricultural operations. occur with multiple, unrelated service providers. Essential Protection for Modern Agriculture
13 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
COVER STORY GRIT, GROWTH AND GIVING BACK Wonderful Co.'s Stewart Resnick is Our 2025 Award of Honor Recipient By Taylor Lauson, Communications Manager
For over 50 years, Stewart and Lynda Resnick have built one of the most successful companies in the U.S., producing iconic, healthy foods and helping communities thrive in California's Central Valley and beyond.
For more than two centuries, the idea of the American Dream has inspired generations born on this soil just as much as those who arrived seeking opportunity. It’s the enduring belief that with hard work, grit and determination, anyone – regardless of where they start – can rise from modest roots to build something lasting, meaningful and entirely their own. This is exactly what Stewart Resnick, Chairman, President and Co-owner of The Wonderful Company, has accomplished. Resnick founded the company alongside his wife, Lynda Resnick, almost 50 years ago. Together, they’ve built one of the
world’s largest privately held agricultural, real estate and consumer packaged goods companies, with nearly $7 billion in annual revenue and a more than 10,000-person global workforce. They own and produce iconic, healthy brands including FIJI Water, POM Wonderful, Wonderful Pistachios, Wonderful Halos, Wonderful Seedless Lemons, Teleflora, and JUSTIN and Lewis Cellars wines. Chances are, their products are already in your kitchen – or your neighbor’s – since nearly half of U.S. households have them in their pantries.
14 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
It’s these sorts of landmark accomplishments that have led to Resnick receiving the Award of Honor this year, Western Growers’ highest recognition of achievement, given to individuals who have contributed extensively to the agriculture community. This industry giant didn’t take a straight path into ag, but that’s where his journey began. He was born on a New Jersey farm on Dec. 24, 1936. “But we didn’t farm it because it was during the recession,” Resnick explained. Growing up in a middle-class family, Resnick learned early on to appreciate the value of a dollar, and at the ripe age of 13, took it upon himself to get a job at the local pharmacy as a photo developer. By the time he was in high school, he had created his own business selling toys at farmers markets in Central Jersey and used this money to help pay his way through college. “At this point, my father had gone bankrupt, and we never had much money,” he said. Resnick began his studies at Rutgers University before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles, where
he could take advantage of the better weather and more affordable tuition – $60 a semester at the time. With an entrepreneurial mindset rooted since childhood, Resnick continued to work odd jobs, including washing windows. “My father owned a local bar in Highland Park, New Jersey, at one point,” Resnick said. “And I remember he always had problems with the janitor. Sometimes they wouldn’t show up, and I thought, ‘Well, I’m reliable.’” After getting a steady stream of clients on his own just by knocking on doors, Resnick decided to bring on additional employees and eventually launched his own janitorial business. Starting with a small team of five, the company expanded to 100 in just three years, by the time Resnick graduated from law school. He eventually sold his business and used the proceeds to purchase other companies. As the businesses grew, Resnick applied his sharp business acumen to scale and sustain lasting success.
Wonderful Pistachios is the world's largest processor and marketer, with a roughly 75 percent share of the U.S. pistachio category.
15 Western Grower & Shipper | www.wga.com September | October 2025
“Interest rates were about 15 percent, and I was concerned about inflation. At that time, with kids and a family, I knew I had to figure something else out,” Resnick said. So, as a hedge against inflation, Resnick purchased Paramount Citrus in 1979 – complete with 1,000 acres of land – and officially kicked off his career in the ag industry. “It worked out well in the beginning. The citrus business was quite good,” Resnick said. “I was just going to be a passive investor, but I liked the opportunity – the business – so I built it up.” By the mid-‘80s, Resnick was already eyeing his next big venture: cracking into the nut business, specifically pistachios. “Lynda was a genius with our branding, and I had a pretty good idea about sales and how to scale from my other businesses. I thought if we could apply that here, we could be a leader in this business and eventually dominate it,” he said. Implementing a vertically integrated model, Resnick didn’t stop at growing nut trees. He expanded to managing every step of the process in-house – from nurseries and harvesting to processing, packaging, merchandising, advertising and distribution. Today, The Wonderful Company is the world’s largest grower and processor of pistachios, holding a commanding 60 percent share of the U.S. pistachio market and 40 percent of the global market. It is America’s largest citrus grower and one of the country’s biggest producers of mandarins, seedless lemons and pomegranates. Wonderful also owns the world’s largest flower delivery service with Teleflora and is a market leader in premium wines, with JUSTIN, Lewis Cellars and Landmark wines, as well as bottled water with FIJI Water and pomegranate juice with POM Wonderful. In the face of a rapidly changing climate, environmental sustainability has been at the center of their work. Resnick believes Wonderful must be a deeply responsible steward of the environment and lead by example to create a sustainable future. That commitment extends to their philanthropy as well. In 2019, the Resnicks pledged a historic $750 million to Caltech to help combat climate change, as well as another $50 million to UC Davis to invest in the future of agricultural research. While these brands and commodities are precious to Resnick, it’s not the what, but the who – in the factories and the fields – that means the most to him. After establishing their pistachio factory, he and Lynda prioritized investing in the people from Lost Hills, Calif.,
a Central Valley town where one of every two households includes a Wonderful employee. As they devoted time and resources into growing their businesses, Lynda urged her husband to consider how they might do the same for the people in that community. “We didn’t think it was right that, for these employees, their roads were unpaved; they didn’t have sidewalks; quality education was lacking. So, we chose to really support that town,” Resnick said. That commitment quickly expanded across the Central Valley. Starting with infrastructure, the Resnicks, along with their foundations and The Wonderful Company, have made a giant impact across the region where Wonderful operates – well beyond Lost Hills – focusing on education, housing, parks, health care and more. Their work includes building affordable housing, refurbishing parks, establishing community centers and playgrounds, and opening free health clinics at plants and schools. The Resnicks and Wonderful opened two charter schools, which today offer a four-year college scholarship and mentoring to employees’ children and other high school students. “Before we built this charter school, there was no high school in Lost Hills,” Resnick said. Between charter schools in Delano and Lost Hills, more than 2,500 students are currently enrolled in Wonderful College Prep Academy (WCPA). WCPA is one of many education initiatives that Wonderful supports. Wonderful Education programs offer a broad spectrum of support from cradle to career – including two preschools, a dual- enrollment program, college scholarships, career training and more. Each year, Wonderful Education serves more than 5,000 students in the Central Valley. To date, more than 3,000 college scholarships have been awarded—each worth up to $40,000. That work came full circle last year, when the Resnicks attended the first high school graduation in Lost Hills’ history – a monumental achievement. Some of those grads went on to schools like UC Davis, Fresno State, Cal Poly, and even Resnick’s alma mater, UCLA. Others returned to the Central Valley and found opportunities in agriculture, health and wellness, education and more. “I’m very honored to be part of this community and to receive this recognition from Western Growers— an award that’s gone to so many agriculture leaders I’ve long admired."
More than 3,000 college scholarships have been awarded to Central Valley students—each worth up to $40,000.
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For the Resnicks, true impact means disrupting the cycle of poverty – not just through jobs, but through long-term, generational investments. That includes free, on-site health care available to all employees, students, and their families in Lost Hills and Delano. Company- subsidized cafeterias in Del Rey, Delano, Lost Hills, Shafter and Los Angeles are foundational to the company’s mission of encouraging and supporting better health, offering only nutritious meals at affordable prices – a change that’s contributed to a 51 percent reduction in diabetes and prediabetes among Central Valley workers since 2015. As a result, a once-underserved community has become a thriving hub where children receive a quality education, families earn better incomes and healthier lifestyles are the norm. This commitment to healthy living is clearly seen in their business model, which includes selling only nutrient-rich foods to consumers: citrus, nuts and pomegranates, with wine rounding out the list as a heart-friendly bonus. That same virtue extends to how Resnick does business. He said he wouldn’t be where he is today without staying true to his word.
“It’s a pleasure to do business with farmers because if you keep your word, that’s all that’s important. You don’t need a 50-page contract. If you don’t keep your word, you’re out. So, we’ve always met our commitments, and we take a lot of pride in that,” he said. Resnick said he views the Western Growers Award of Honor as validation – recognition and acceptance by the ag community, despite being first-generation. “I’m very honored to be part of this community and to receive this recognition from Western Growers – an award that’s gone to so many agriculture leaders I’ve long admired. For five decades, agriculture has been the heart and soul of my professional life. It’s been incredibly special to be part of California’s farming community and to help feed a growing world.” From humble beginnings to building a lasting empire in the heart of California’s agricultural landscape, Stewart Resnick’s journey is proof that the American Dream is still alive – not just in what one can build, but in how one can empower others to rise as well. His story is one of vision, integrity and enduring impact – one that will continue to uplift families and communities for generations to come.
The Resnicks, along with their foundations and Wonderful, have directed $2.5 billion toward education, health and wellness, community development, sustainability efforts and more.
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FEATURE STORY CALIFORNIANS IN BRAZIL A Delegation for Innovation, Sustainability and Collaboration By Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director
The CDFA Secretary Karen Ross and Delegation at Fundecitrus, an association maintained by citrus growers and juice manufacturers from the State of São Paulo to foster the sustainable development of the citrus industry - the organization is a world reference on citrus research, productivity and phytosanitary issues.
As we stood in the shade of the wind-rustled trees, overlooking the largest Hass Avocado farm in Brazil, only the intermittent cool breeze reminded us that were in fact, far from home. At Jaguacy, a multi-generational family farm in the state of São Paulo, a retrofitted storage shed contained a “Matryoshka dolls” style beneficial-wasp-parasitized-egg production and drone release program, deployed to control the avocado seed moth. Teeteringly tall sprinklers danced overhead, which we were told cooled the trees in the dry summer months, an idea adapted from the frost control measures of California vineyards. On this California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) supported delegation made up of California agricultural
“Nothing is as powerful as an idea at the right time.” -Jonas Hipolito, President, Biotrop
Secretary Karen Ross enjoying being out in the field at AgNest Farm Lab. The Farm Lab is a public-private partnership supported by Embrapa that aims to connect relevant stakeholders to drive innovation and promote additional benefits for the entire agriculture chain.
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Oranges and lemons at the Culturale Packing House in Araraquara, São Paulo, where they grow and pack fresh citrus and juicing oranges. Brazil is the world's largest producer and exporter of orange juice, supplying about 75 percent of the global market.
organizations strengthening ties with Brazil, we witnessed firsthand the adaptive and innovative strategies advancing Brazilian agriculture. Our visits highlighted the rapid development and wide-spread adoption of biological products as well as the acceleration of precision agriculture for Brazil’s farmers. With a thriving start- up scene and expanding rural connectivity, AI tools and data analytics are providing insights to improve yield, as well as water and nutrient use efficiency. Highlights of the visits included the start-up companies Symbionics Brazil and IDEE Lab, both using AI and genomic sequencing to discover and commercialize new biological products, as well as Koppert Brazil tackling pest pressure with drone-deployed biologicals, and AgNest validating new technologies for farmers in real-world farming systems. At Fundecitrus, an association of citrus growers, we toured the Applied Research Center, a model institution for international collaboration and solutions-focused transparency. Their efforts to stop the spread and address the impacts of Huanglongbing (HLB), a bacterial infection of citrus plants, has engaged more than 19 scientific institutions in seven countries, including our own UC Riverside. The pest monitoring and management lab provides free PCR testing for farmers for HLB and other pathogens as well as support for farmers to rogue and replace infected trees.
Avocado seedlings at Jaguacy Farms, the largest producer and exporter of avocados in Brazil.
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Secretary Karen Ross discusses biological inputs at Biotrop. Biotrop is focused on advancing biological and natural solutions and is the largest company in Brazil developing and producing biological inputs.
Brazil is among the top five global sorghum producers. Other significant commodities include soybeans, sugarcane, corn, rice and coffee.
Key research projects are investigating psyllid repellents, attractants and lethal trap plants to include biotech development projects as well as research to better understand the spread of the disease via the vector. Researchers have observed a high correlation with climate and disease spread, particularly in the central region of Brazil. Warmer
climates accelerate the quick life cycles and pesticide resistance can develop quickly, so new offensive tools are needed. Although the Fundecitrus researchers believe that HLB is currently “the worst problem that citrus will face in its lifetime,” their team is committed to supporting their growers to fight to maintain and build resilience for this important industry. This unforgettable experience was an incredible opportunity to learn from our fellow farmers and ag industry members and build upon diplomacy underway long before our time. I was reminded and proud of the incredible innovation and resilience of California’s agriculture industry, and I return home deeply inspired by the shared passion for sustainability and collaboration. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be part of this delegation to Brazil and look forward to building on relationships and learnings to further support and elevate California agriculture.
“With technology, California stands to thrive.” - Sebastian Popik, Managing Director, Aqua Capital
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