Podcasts about western growers

Rising labor costs and declining labor availability are prompting growers to choose between automation and relocation.

This quarter of the Future of Agriculture podcast is made possible by Case IH: https://www.caseih.com/en-us/unitedstatesDownload the Agtech Alchemy Quarterly: https://agtechalchemy.substack.com/p/agtech-alchemy-quarterly-winter2025GenAI Whitepaper: https://www.rhishipethe.com/genai-in-agToday's episode features the founding members of Agtech Alchemy. This format is a little different from our normal show. It's a lot less formal, you'll hear some jokes and laughter, but really it's just four guys who all really care about agtech and its ability to improve agriculture in the future. If you've been around agtech circles for very long, especially if you're on LinkedIn, you know all three of our guests today: Walt Duflock is the vice president of Innovation at Western Growers, which represents family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Sachi Desai is with Bayer Crop Science. He has over 20 years of experience in AI and machine learning research, development and application across multiple industries including agriculture. Rishi Pethe has guest hosted this show a number of times. He is the author and publisher of the twice weekly newsletter, Software is Feeding the World. He also just released a whitepaper today which is a practical guide to generative AI and explains how organizations can go past proof of concept phase of these new capabilities. Make sure you go download that. I'll leave a link for that in the show notes. I will also leave a link in the show notes where you can read the Agtech Alchemy Quarterly, which is what we're going to talk about in today's episode. I knew it would be filled with insights, but it surpassed my expectations, and it's 116 pages long, so obviously we will just barely scratch the surface in today's episode. Make sure you go read the full digest to understand what's happening today in agtech. It was really cool to read thought pieces from creators back-to-back in the same document. I started making connections that I don't think I would have made if I read them independently. If I had to summarize an overall theme for this one, it would be an exploration of if and when technology can be a true competitive advantage. There is a lot of talk of AI, especially generative AI, but the pieces run the gamut. Some of the authors you've heard from on this show in the past, like Janette Barnard, Matthew Pryor, Rishi Pethe, and Dan Schultz. Others are household names in agtech thought leadership like Shane Thomas and Walt Duflock. It's a great mix and I think you're going to enjoy today's conversation which serves as a bit of an overview. A quick disclaimer: I will admit that this episode does get a little bit wonky because all four of us like to nerd out about agtech, but but it's also a lot of fun, so stick with it. I think there are some really important concepts discussed. Then after you listen go read the full digest. Brought to you by Case IH: Case IH designs, engineers and produces cutting-edge farm equipment based on a comprehensive understanding of farmers' needs, wants and challenges, integrating these insights into their development and manufacturing.For example, take their Model Year 25 Magnum tractor. The new Magnum is purposefully designed to answer farmers' needs in every design and engineering choice. Improved horsepower for pulling heavier loads, faster. Bundled, integrated and ready-to-go precision tech for greater accuracy in the field. And a transmission farmers can tweak for improved control and...

In this anniversary episode of This Is Ag!, I sat down with Chana Hauben, our Vice President of Human Resources, to reflect on the remarkable culture we've built at UnitedAg and celebrate four years of the podcast. Our conversation explored the heart of what makes UnitedAg not just a great place to work but a unique environment for personal and professional growth.At UnitedAg, we've more than tripled our financial growth over the past decade all the while maintaining the innovative, energetic spirit of a startup. Chana and I discussed how this growth has been driven by intentional culture-building, starting with empathy, collaboration, and creativity. These values are central to everything we do, from hiring passionate and proactive people to fostering innovation at all levels.Initiatives like the Emerging Leaders Program, the Ag-a-thon, and our CULTIVATE values recognition system create opportunities for growth and connection. Our onboarding process, transformed into a comprehensive and immersive experience, ensures new hires feel supported and inspired from the start.A standout moment was celebrating our recent recognition as one of the best places to work in Orange County. This honor symbolizes the dedication and care we pour into creating a positive, people-first environment. It's also a reflection of Chana's exceptional leadership in fostering an inclusive, innovative, and empowering culture.For me, UnitedAg has always been a "lab" where we experiment with ideas—not just for business growth but for human connection. Every day is an opportunity to grow a little more, to connect on a deeper level, and to lead with empathy. Listening to our employees, hearing their stories, and seeing them thrive fills me with pride and reinforces my belief in the work we do.As we wrap up our conversation, I reflect on what makes UnitedAg so special: it's not just a workplace, it's a community where people support each other, challenge each other, and grow together. Whether it's through innovative programs, meaningful connections, or a shared commitment to our values, UnitedAg continues to be a place where we can all thrive.If you're looking for a space to innovate, grow, and make an impact, we'd love to hear from you. This is what makes us UnitedAg: a family where the journey of growth and connection never ends.This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Chana Hauben, Vice President of Human Resources at UnitedAg: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanah/Agricultural Personnel Management Association (APMA): http://agpersonnel.org/about/bod/Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgUnitedAg Health and Wellness Centers - https://www.unitedag.org/health-benefits/united-agricultural-benefit-trust/health-centers/Episode Contributors - Chana Hauben, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us 

Walt Duflock is a 5th generation California farmer (cattle, wine grapes, leafy greens), 30-year Silicon Valley startup veteran (eBay and 3 other acquisitions), and 7 years as an AgTech Innovation leader at SVG-THRIVE and Western Growers (where he's focused on solutions for labor, water, and food safety) — This episode is presented by Corteva Agriscience. Learn more HERE. — Links Western Growers - https://www.wga.com Walt on Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/waltduflock/ CA Ag Labor Deck - https://www.linkedin.com/posts/waltduflock_agtech-ecosystem-california-has-a-large-activity-7271332885318512640-eP9S?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop Join the Co-op - https://themodernacre.supercast.com Subscribe to the Newsletter - https://themodernacre.substack.com

Jeana Cadby, director of environment and climate for Western Growers talks about a working group with the Canadian Produce Marketing Association to address the changing produce packaging requirements imposed by governments and retailers and just how far the fresh produce industry has come in its use of sustainable packaging.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, I speak with Stan Welsh, a healthcare provider at the UnitedAg Health and Wellness Center in Salinas, about the transformative power of putting people at the heart of healthcare. We explore the importance of compassion, trust, and meaningful human connections in improving patient outcomes and redefining what it means to provide quality care.Stan shares his insights on how human interaction is often missing in traditional, metrics-driven healthcare settings and how the approach at UnitedAg allows providers to fulfill their desire to make a real difference. We discuss how small yet impactful changes—like showing appreciation and building trust—can create a ripple effect, leading to better patient experiences and long-term growth.Stan and I also dive into practical advice for listeners: the importance of self-care, including regular checkups, a balanced diet, and consistent exercise. Stan stresses the value of simplicity and consistency in maintaining health and well-being. Finally, we discuss how UnitedAg's philosophy of putting people first—not metrics or profit—has tripled its impact, proving that prioritizing human beings at the center of care not only makes business sense but is also a step toward transforming the healthcare system.Tune in for an inspiring conversation about challenging the status quo and the power of human connection in healthcare.This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgUnitedAg Health and Wellness Centers - https://www.unitedag.org/health-benefits/united-agricultural-benefit-trust/health-centers/Episode Contributors - Stan Welsh, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us 

In this special episode, I reflect on my journey alongside an extraordinary leader and mentor, Veronica Urzua-Alvero, Vice President of Human Resources at Church Brothers Farms, who has been instrumental in shaping not only UnitedAg's organization but also my own approach to leadership. Veronica's roots in agriculture, inspired by her family, set her on a path where she found her true calling in operations and community-building within the ag industry. Her resilience and determination allowed her to rise above challenges and stay focused on her own growth without letting external factors derail her journey.Veronica's strategic thinking and unique insights have shaped UnitedAg's distinct approach, one that doesn't simply follow the industry but stays true to who we are. Through her guidance, I've learned how important it is to view challenges with a long-term perspective, making big-picture decisions that serve the greater good, even if they're tough in the moment.During our conversation, Veronica also shares her shift from a focus on individual achievement to empowering her team, fostering a growth-oriented and purpose-driven environment. We both emphasize the importance of empathy and coaching in leadership, striving to build understanding and resilience within our teams.  We also reflect on the impact of Veronica's leadership, especially in her role at UnitedAg such as serving as the first female chairperson in 2013 and guiding us through significant events like the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and COVID-19. Her big-picture vision and risk management skills were essential to building a strong foundation for UnitedAg, setting structures and making decisions that continue to support our organization today. I am deeply grateful for her friendship and leadership. She has not only shaped UnitedAg but has influenced how I lead and live my life, encouraging me to think beyond the immediate and truly value the people and purpose behind our work. Join us as I celebrate and share the lessons I've learned from this remarkable leader and friend, Veronica Urzua-Alvero.Veronica Urzua-Alvero: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-urzua-alvero-52842730b/Church Brothers Farms: https://www.churchbrothers.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Veronica Urzua-Alvero, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us 

On today's show we continue coverage of the FIRA USA conference with an interview with Walt Duflock, Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers.

The next generation of ag leaders are playing an important role in shaping the future of farming. California is one of the most vital agricultural regions in the world, and these emerging voices are navigating an industry influenced by climate change and the need for sustainability, water and labor shortages and advancements in agtech. We explore the California Agricultural Leadership Program and discussing the challenges and opportunities our future leaders are facing in the ever-evolving landscape of agriculture. Featuring: Abby-Taylor Silva, Executive VP of the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation; Bryan Nickerson, Commodity and Supply Chain Services Director for Western Growers; and Cory Lunde, VP of External Affairs for Western Growers.

You may have never given today's topic much consideration, but this is the episode you didn't know you needed. In this episode, Western Growers' Kara Timmins and Jeana Cadby talk with CDFA entomologist Dr. Jason Leathers and canine handler Michelle King to explore the exciting world of agricultural pest detection. They'll share why it's so important travelers don't pack a pest and how we can all participate in protecting agriculture. We'll even get to meet agriculture detector K9 Kernul, an eight-year-old chocolate lab who helps protect California agriculture by using his nose to sniff out unwanted pests in unmarked packages.

Did you know that California produces more than 80% of the nation's stone fruits? For those of you unfamiliar with the term, stone fruits are named after the large stone in their centers, or what we know as the seed or pit. These types of fruits include peaches, nectarines, plums, cherries and mangos. In this week's episode, Western Growers' Julia Nellis and Michelle Rivera talk to special guest Chelsea Ketelsen, Vice President of Marketing from HMC Farms. Based out of Kingsburg, California, HMC Farms is a leading grower, packer and shipper of stone fruit and table grapes. Tune in this week as we peel back the farmer's curtain. We uncover surprising facts and stories about your favorite fruits, tracing their fascinating journey from farm to table—and explaining why your nectarine might taste a little different each week.

When you think of olive oil, you may think of places like Spain, Italy and Greece. But did you know that California produces some of the finest olive oil? In this week's episode of Voices of the Valley, we pour over everything you wanted to know about olives and olive oil with Western Growers' Michelle Rivera and Julia Nellis and special guest Vincent Ricchiuti from Enzo Olive Oil Company. Based out of Central San Joaquin Valley, Enzo Olive Oil Company's mill is home to the award-winning, 100 percent estate-grown organic extra virgin olive oil. Join us as we uncover the difference between virgin and extra virgin olive oil, proper packaging and storage and an olive's journey from farm to table. You'll also find out what things you should consider before purchasing olive oil at the store.

This week's Open Mic guest is Dave Puglia, President and CEO of Western Growers. Consumers are showing an increased demand for fresh fruits and vegetables in their diets, but U.S. growers of these crops are facing increased headwinds from a reduced water supply, increased input costs, a shortage of farm workers and increasing state and federal regulations.  Puglia says their members are looking for biological solutions to replace traditional synthetic crop protection products and robotics to offset an aging and reduced workforce. He also discusses the consequences of organic production mandates, a forced transition to electric trucks and forklifts and a potential extension of the 2018 farm bill.

In this episode, I sit down with Chris Valadez, President of the Grower Shippers Association, to explore the challenges and strategies shaping the agriculture industry. We dive into how aligning our strengths with our core values can make a big difference, the importance of telling stories that actually connect with people, and the vital role agriculture plays in our everyday lives. Chris offers valuable insights into how the industry can better connect with the public by sharing stories that resonate with their concerns. He notably emphasizes that effective communication in the agriculture industry requires not just telling the story but understanding which aspects will resonate with the public, aligning responses with their concerns, and fostering connections by addressing criticisms thoughtfully rather than defensively.We also reflect on the challenges the agriculture industry faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Chris discusses the chaotic response to COVID, particularly in agriculture, highlighting the immense pressure on the industry to continue food production while managing health risks, and I share how even with good intentions to lower costs and offer free services, we felt the financial impact. Despite these challenges, Chris' leadership within the agriculture industry served as an example of the value of human connection. Together, Chris and I delve into the resilience of the industry during the pandemic, the importance of human connection in our work, and explore recent food safety initiatives that are paving the way for the future of agriculture. Join us for this insightful conversation on leadership, communication, and the evolving landscape of food production.Chris Valadez - https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-valadez-2b85a9234Grower-Shipper Association - https://www.growershipper.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Chris Valadez, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

Joelle Mosso, M.S., is Associate Vice President of Science Programs for Western Growers, where she works alongside growers to develop improved approaches to food safety and sustainability challenges. She is an entrepreneurial scientist with a passion for pathogenic food microbiology, risk assessment, and working toward practical solutions for the food industry. She has a background in quantitative microbial risk assessment (QMRA), building microbial testing laboratories, and evaluating and designing microbial diagnostic tools/approaches, as well as firsthand experience with produce and with managing food safety for complex international supply chains. Before Western Growers, Joelle was Senior Director of Technical and Regulatory Affairs for the Organic Trade Association (OTA), served as the Chief Scientific Officer for Eurofins Produce, and held food safety and business leadership roles at Earthbound Farm and Olam Spices and Vegetable Ingredients. She holds a B.S. degree from the University of Maryland in Microbiology with honors in Molecular Biology and an M.S. degree in Food Science focused on pathogenic food microbiology from the University of California–Davis. Joelle has served on numerous industry technical groups including the Center for Produce Safety Technical Committee, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) Food Safety Council, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods (NACMCF), and the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). In this episode of Food Safety Matters, we speak with Joelle [27:50] about: The unique path that led Joelle to her food safety career, beginning with her interest in agriculture as a child growing up in the California Central Valley growing region Western Growers' efforts to help its members comply with food safety regulations like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's Food Safety Modernization Act Agricultural Water Rule Available resources for industry on pathogen and environmental testing, including Western Growers' "Primer on Preharvest Pathogen Testing of Leafy Green Products" and its recently released guide on soil sampling Why Cyclospora poses a distinct challenge to domestic produce safety, and ongoing efforts by FDA and USDA to address the growing threat The new Canadian P2 Proposal on the primary plastic packaging of consumer goods—for which Western Growers now offers a resource to help industry prepare—and how it affects packaging for fresh produce The complexity of packaging design for fresh-cut produce, which must consider a multitude of factors to ensure a food-safe internal atmosphere and adequate shelf life Farm-to-fork food safety risks that are introduced when changes are made in the name of sustainability, and the importance of taking into account factors like consumer behaviors as transitions are made The collaborative effort and systems approach that will be required to implement hygienic equipment design of farm equipment at scale, and the importance of doing so. News and Resources News USDA-FSIS Publishes Final Regulatory Framework for Salmonella in Raw Poultry [3:48] USDA-FSIS Begins New RTE Sampling Program to Verify Allergen Label Claims [15:45] FDA Releases Data on Prevalence of Three Important Pathogens in Fresh Herbs [18:05] Bill Aims to Create New Federal Food Administration That Would Take FDA's Food Responsibilities [20:16] FAO/WHO Expert Committee Publishes Safety Evaluation of Certain Food Additives [23:13] Interview Links “Primer on Preharvest Pathogen Testing of Leafy Green Products” “Fresh Produce Food Safety Considerations Relative to the Canadian P2 Proposal and the Role of Primary Plastic Packaging for Consumer Safety” We Want to Hear from You! Please send us your questions and suggestions to podcast@food-safety.com

Did you know that California farmers produce nearly 75% of all cantaloupes grown in the US? That makes for a total of $300 million in nationwide market sales. In this episode, we slice into everything you wanted to know about melons with Western Growers' Michelle Rivera and Julia Nellis and special guest Garrett Patricio, President of Westside Produce and melon grower based in Firebaugh, California. Learn about what goes on behind the scenes on the melon farm and the practices and strategies farmers are putting in place to ensure the safety of your cantaloupes as they go from farm to table. You'll also learn some pro tips on how to tell when a melon is ripe for picking. If you're someone who knocks or taps on melons in the grocery store, we have a surprising revelation for you.

This week on North American Ag Spotlight Chrissy Wozniak talks to Gwendoline Legrand, Co-Director of FIRA, who shared exciting details about the upcoming FIRA USA event. Scheduled to take place in Sacramento, California this fall, FIRA USA 2024 promises to be a must see event for anyone interested in ag tech, agricultural automation and robotics.FIRA, an international organization based in Toulouse, France, has been at the forefront of advancing autonomous machinery in agriculture since 2016. The event, returning to California for its third consecutive year, will be hosted at the Yolo County Fairgrounds in Woodland, near Sacramento. This location offers a unique advantage, providing a consolidated space for exhibitions, live demos, and conferences, all set amidst scenic olive trees.Reflecting on the previous year's success in Salinas, Legrand highlighted the extensive demonstrations and real-life field setups showcasing the latest in robotic and autonomous systems. The event drew nearly double the participants from the prior year, underscoring the growing interest and need for automation among growers facing labor and safety challenges.This year's event aims to build on this success by fostering even more collaboration between technology providers and agricultural producers. Legrand emphasized that changing the location annually allows FIRA to stay attuned to the diverse needs of California's growers and to engage with key legislative bodies. The proximity to Sacramento's public institutions is strategic, aiming to bridge the gap between technological advancements and regulatory frameworks, ensuring the safe and effective deployment of these innovations.One of the unique aspects of FIRA USA is its focus on practical, real-world applications of agricultural robots. The event offers an unparalleled opportunity for attendees to interact with cutting-edge technologies and witness their operation in live demonstrations. Highlights include advanced systems like the laser weeder from Carbon Robotics and the autonomous Burro, which exemplify the futuristic yet practical solutions being developed for modern agriculture.The event will also feature a startup competition where ten shortlisted startups will pitch their innovations to a panel of judges, with one winner being crowned the best startup of FIRA USA 2024. This competition not only highlights the entrepreneurial spirit within the ag-tech community but also provides a platform for these innovators to secure funding and partnerships.FIRA's collaborations with organizations like Western Growers and the University of California further enhance the event's impact. These partnerships bring together farmers, industry experts, and researchers, facilitating a holistic approach to addressing the agricultural sector's most pressing challenges through automation.FIRA USA 2024 is set to be a landmark event, offering a glimpse into the future of farming and the transformative potential of robotics and automation. As Legrand aptly put it, attendees will leave with a sense of awe and inspiration, ready to embrace the innovations that are reshaping agriculture.For more information about FIRA USA 2024 and to register for the event, visit the FIRA-USA.com.#agtech #farming #agricultureSend us a Text Message.The American Society of Agricultural Consultants will hold its 2024 Annual Conference in Fort Myers, Fla., beginning with a reception on Sunday, November 3. Conference sessions will begin on Monday and continue through Tuesday morning. That afternoon, attendees will be touring local agriculture from approximately noon to 6 p.m.Learn more at https://www.agconsultants.org/2024_annual_conference.phpSubscribe to North American Ag at https://northamericanag.com

Joelle Mosso, associate vice president of science programs for Western Growers, sits down with host Christina Herrick, produce editor of The Packer, to talk about the conflicting needs of sustainability and food safety in fresh produce.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the 30th episode of This is Ag!, I sit down with Eric Rygg, president of Huntsinger Farms and Silver Spring Foods. As a fourth-generation horseradish farmer, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge about sustainable and profitable farming practices. We delve into how businesses can endure and adapt over time, with a focus on the importance of long-term investments in both the land and employees as a sustainable business practice.Eric shares how longevity is built into the foundation of his family business, which has thrived for 95 years by upholding family-oriented values and investing in future generations. He discusses the critical role of resilience in the face of uncertainty and emphasizes the importance of readiness for opportunities. Eric also highlights the strong work ethic and common sense needed to survive in the agriculture industry. Tune in to hear how these principles have guided Eric and contributed to the lasting success and sustainability of Silver Spring Foods. Silver Spring Foods website - https://www.silverspringfoods.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Eric Rygg, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Sabrina Halvorson. Today's show includes how the tragic Baltimore Bridge collapse could affect agriculture, and Western Growers calls for action on the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. Tune in for these news stories, interviews, features, and more.

Western Growers food safety scientists Sonia Salas, Associate Vice President, Science & Technology, and Joelle Mosso, Associate Vice President, Science Programs, discuss their perspective and insight when it comes to buying fresh produce for their children.

In episode 27, I sit down with Kim McConnell, Director of Clinical Programs at Spring Health. Together, we explore the intersection of agriculture and mental health, and UnitedAg's partnership with Spring Health, which is set to launch on March 1st. Kim, a licensed psychologist, delves into the critical need for mental health support in tight-knit communities like agriculture. Kim bravely shares her personal journey, reflecting on her struggles with depression and the pivotal role her father's company's Employee Assistance Program (EAP) played in her recovery. We emphasize the importance of early intervention in mental health care, stressing the potential consequences of neglecting these issues. The discussion extends to the dangers of short-term thinking in healthcare plans, particularly regarding diagnostic procedures and mental health services. The long-term costs, both financially and in terms of human well-being, of prioritizing immediate savings over preventive measures like therapy is detrimental to the ag industry. Toward the end of our chat, we discuss the challenges of accessing healthcare while facing life stressors, and conclude with the following: it's hard, but we're alive. Join us as we navigate the complexities of mental health care in agriculture and work towards building a supportive and resilient community.This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Kim McConnell, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

In this engaging podcast episode, join me as I explore the world of business, trust, and growth with Bart Walker, the president at Pacific Ag Rentals. We delve into the symbolic importance of a handshake, representing the foundation of trust between a business and its customers. The company's impressive 23-year history is a testament to Walker's unwavering commitment to exceeding promises and cultivating trust, propelling Pacific Ag Rentals forward. During our conversation, Bart shares a valuable lesson from his father about prioritizing fairness and integrity over monetary gain when addressing customer issues. This commitment to taking the high road, even when it demands sacrifices of time and money, echoes throughout our discussion. Beyond business principles, Bart encourages listeners to focus on uplifting and supporting people, emphasizing the brevity of life. He emphasizes the transformative impact of positive words, encouragement, and collaboration. The same positive mindset is intended for his employees and customers, with a genuine effort to seek feedback for continuous service improvement. As our conversation unfolds, he reflects on his modest upbringing, recalling family dinners of cold potato soup. He suggests that facing and understanding financial challenges can make individuals more open to taking risks in business, drawing parallels between his own risk-taking journey in Florida and the exploratory spirit of Lewis and Clark. Ultimately, Walker suggests that true success is not measured by monetary value but by the valuable experience gained through taking risks. This podcast serves as a rich source of business wisdom, emphasizing trust, integrity, positive impact, and the enduring value of one's roots.Pacific Ag Rentals (PAR) - https://www.pacificagrentals.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Bart Walker, Kirti Mutatkar, Dave Visaya, Rhianna MaciasThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.comBlue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.comElite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.comGallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/MDI Network - https://www.mdinetworx.com/about-us

We're diving into the cutting-edge world of AgTech with a double feature in today's episode with two industry pioneers who are shaping the future. First up is Walt Duflock, VP of Innovation at Western Growers, a true trailblazer in the AgTech startup scene. Following Walt, we're honored to hear from Melissa Ackerman, CEO of Planet Harvest, on a mission to revolutionize the produce supply chain and make a positive impact on the environment, health, and society. Listen in as we unravel the innovative landscape Walt is helping to craft and learn about the profound impact of technology on agriculture. From there, you will be inspired as Melissa shares the vision and passion behind her mission-driven company, highlighting the incredible value fresh fruits and vegetables offer to our healthcare structure. Key TakeawaysHow technology is going to impact the agriculture industry.The importance of being innovative and ahead of the game.The benefit of collecting data and using it.Why simplicity and forward thinking are the keys to AgTech innovation.How technology fits into the new labor force in agriculture.The importance of being flexible and optimistic in what we can do. Why fresh produce should have a place in our healthcare structure.Guest ResourcesWalt Duflock: LinkedInMelissa Ackerman: LinkedInGlobal Produce & Floral ShowShow LinksInternational Fresh Produce Association - https://www.freshproduce.com/Fresh Takes on Tech - https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/technology/takes-on-tech-podcast/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/InternationalFreshProduceAssociation/Twitter - https://twitter.com/IntFreshProduce/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/international-fresh-produce-association/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/intlfreshproduceassn/

In this week's episode of Voices of the Valley, we're breaking through misconceptions in agriculture with Coachella Valley farmer Celeste Alonzo. Alongside her family, Celeste grows bell peppers and corn at Junior Enterprises. She joins Julia Nellis, Social Media Manager at Western Growers, to answer questions WG received on social media about farming. Join us to gain a deeper understanding about the day-to-day intricacies of operating a farm, farmworker safety standards and protection, automation, organic and conventional produce and more. 

Learn where your food really comes from. In the new season of the Voices of the Valley podcast, you'll hear about the successes and challenges the agricultural industry experiences every day to get the best food to you and your family. We'll explore everything from agriculture misinformation, women changing the industry, fieldworkers' stories, scientific developments and, of course, technological innovations. In the first episode of this season, catch up with Western Growers Dennis Donohue, Center for Innovation & Technology Director, and meet Jeana Cadby, Environment and Climate Director, as they discuss how agriculture is addressing its biggest challenges in both innovation and science. The activity around supporting and strengthening specialty crop agriculture through Western Growers is bustling. Dennis and Jeana discuss how the organization and its team are actively addressing issues like automation solution, climate challenges, food safety developments, biological input innovation and more. Join us as we explore this exciting industry. Follow on Western Growers Science on LinkedIn here or the Center of Innovation and Technology on X @wg_cit.

This week's Open Mic guest is Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers. Challenges to the fresh produce industry are too numerous to mention, but food safety, an adequate workforce, water supply, crop protection tools and regulations continue to impact the future for Western Growers. Still, Puglia says legislators cannot simply “rubber stamp” an extension of the 2018 farm bill. Puglia laments the passing of Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and shares his concern for the leadership shake-up in the House of Representatives.

On this month's episode, I join Ray Rumiano in Willows, California, home to Rumiano Cheese Company. Ray has a profound appreciation for the challenges faced by agriculture workers; his commitment to the family business is grounded in the connections between animals, farmers, and customers. This holistic perspective emphasizes the importance of sustainability and longevity which, in turn, produces quality products. Moreover, Ray's dedication to his farmers and employees highlights the importance of ethically utilizing resources and appreciating the time offered in creating a quality product. The core of business operations resides in humane treatment, and this places Rumiano Cheese Company as a strong contender among large scale dairy farm operations. The passion and care trickles down to the treatment of their cows, which are grass-fed and free range. Even beyond that, Rumiano Cheese utilizes regenerative farming practices which keeps the soil nutrient rich and conserves water. Throughout our conversation, Ray and I connected through our shared values in commitment to serving our communities and offering gratitude to those that serve us in return; this sense of comradery, passion, and dedication results in quality products and customer service. The Rumiano family's unique approach to farming, combining traditional methods with environmental consciousness, continues their legacy in the cheesemaking industry.Rumiano Cheese Company website - https://rumianocheese.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Samantha Taylor, Kirti Mutatkar, Paul Lecrone, Melanie LarsenThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/BlueShield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/EliteMedical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagherhttps://www.ajg.com/SAINMedical https://sainmedical.com/

A few years ago there was a great deal of hype surrounding Controlled Environment Ag (indoor farming). Money was pouring into the space from outside investors. Along with the money came the media coverage, which brought more money and more hype. According to some, we were just a short time away from never eating vegetables grown conventionally in fields again. Yet, here we are in 2023 still eating lettuce from Yuma and produce trucked in from California. What happened to the indoor Ag revolution? Walt Duflock with Western Growers discusses the realities of produce farming, while Adam Bergman, Global Head of Ag Tech with Citi discusses the money and business side of controlled environment agriculture.

Learn from Dennis Donohue, director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, an agtech startup incubator, on how agriculture has matured with its approach to technology. He dives into water, economics, next-generation agriculture workers, robots and more. To find us: Our websites: producemarketguide.com, thepacker.com and ProduceEDU.com. Email: news@thepacker.com and artists@producemarketguide.com LinkedIn: PMG: Produce Market Guide and The Packer Instagram: @packernews and @producemktguide Facebook: @ProduceMktGuide and @PackerNews Twitter: @produceretailer and @thepacker See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In Episode 20 of This is Ag Podcast, I had the pleasure of interviewing Samantha C. Taylor, the talented assistant winemaker for Hope Family Wines in Paso Robles. Samantha's remarkable journey into the world of winemaking began with a strong desire to pursue her passion for wine. Little did she know that this decision would lead her down a rewarding and inspiring path. Samantha's story serves as a powerful reminder of the opportunities that arise when one follows their heart and embraces their true calling.Over thirteen harvests, she has become an integral part of the winemaking team, working alongside winemaker Austin Hope. Samantha's enthusiasm and dedication shine through as she oversees the daily operations of winemaking, ensuring the production of award-winning wines that set the standard for Paso Robles Cabernet Sauvignon. Working for Hope Family Wines, she has learned the importance of teamwork, creativity, and being humble in the face of nature's uncertainties. This particular winery has allowed Samantha to excel and grow as a winemaker. As a testament to her hard work and the winery's commitment to excellence, Hope Family Wines was named the American Winery of the Year.Throughout the podcast, we delved into the intricacies of winemaking, from vineyard decisions to blending wines and considering consumer expectations. Samantha also shared her experiences as a participant in the WomenAg Leadership Academy, which offers an inspiring space for ambitious women to foster personal and professional growth while exploring and honing their leadership talents. During the episode, she highlights the camaraderie and personal growth the academy offers. Overall, this episode provided an insightful and inspiring look into the world of winemaking, the power of teamwork, and the potential for personal growth. Samantha Taylor's journey serves as a testament to the rewards of passion and hard work in the wine industry, and her story resonates with wine enthusiasts and aspiring winemakers alike. Listeners are sure to gain valuable insights into the creative and dynamic world of winemaking, leaving them eager to uncork new opportunities in their own pursuits.Hope Family Wines website - https://hopefamilywines.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Samantha Taylor, Kirti Mutatkar, Paul Lecrone, Melanie LarsenThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/BlueShield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/EliteMedical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagherhttps://www.ajg.com/SAINMedical https://sainmedical.com/

Enjoy this chat!We invite you to join us as Todd talks with people like Walt Duflock of Western Growers, who are passionate about what they do to effect change.If you enjoy this conversation, we suggest downloading our recent EWG episode with Crop Life America and Leslie Bonci. Put TLC Todd-versations Food, Facts, and Fear, in your internet search engine. Pick your format! On Apple podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlc-todd-versations/id1571349050?i=1000615253394 Catch more riveting Todd-versations on your favorite platform at https://linktr.ee/toddversations#organic #agriculture #conversationsforchange #positivecostoffood #organicisnotenough #toddversations #foodsecurity #agtechnology #freshproduce #foodwaste #traceability #sustainability #farmers #consumption #cheaphasahiddencost #foodismedicine #futureoffood #functionalmedicine #AI #venturecapital #verticalfarming #greenhouse #CEA

In episode 19 of This is Ag Podcast, I had the honor of speaking with Jeff Lundberg, the face of Babe Farms, a family-owned and operated company that has been working with UnitedAg for over 25 years. It is truly remarkable to see how Jeff has taken over the business from his mother, Judy, and maintained its amazing culture for over 40 years. Babe Farms is a leader in the gourmet produce industry, prioritizing superior quality, innovation, and genuine customer relationships. Tune in to hear stories from the worlds of Star Wars, Coca-Cola, and beyond! During our conversation, we delved into various aspects of Babe Farms. It all began with their inspiration from the beautifully crafted produce found in Europe, which led them to grow into the outstanding company they are today. From vibrant carrots to golden beets and purple kohlrabi, Babe Farms produces eye-catching and stunning gourmet quality foods that go from farm to table. Their commitment to innovation has resulted in the success of their organic farm, conventional farm, and the specialty farm known as Babe Farms. (see https://www.babefarms.com/) One thing that sets Babe Farms' apart is their focus on their employees. They truly prioritize their team members, fostering a strong sense of loyalty and commitment. Respect is at the core of their values, and every individual is treated with respect from day one. Babe Farms has cultivated a culture of appreciation and recognition, treating their employees as an extended family. They celebrate milestones together, provide benefits like 401k and health insurance, and organize events to express their gratitude. Through my conversation with Jeff, I gained valuable insights into the workings of the farming industry. His passion for the business is evident, especially when he talks about the rewarding experience of witnessing the entire process from seed to harvest. Jeff embodies the values of a true farmer, being a steward of the land and a community-oriented business owner. I commended Babe Farms for their remarkable accomplishments, growth, and commitment to their employees and customers. It was an absolute pleasure to have Jeff on the podcast and learn more about the extraordinary journey of Babe Farms.Babe Farms website - https://www.babefarms.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Jeff Lundberg, Kirti Mutatkar, Paul Lecrone, Melanie LarsenThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/BlueShield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/EliteMedical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagherhttps://www.ajg.com/SAINMedical https://sainmedical.com/

In this captivating podcast episode, I had the privilege of interviewing David, a seasoned broker with over 38 years of experience in the Insurance Industry. Together with his wife and business partner, Mary, they established Nikssarian Insurance Services, Inc. in 2003, showcasing an unwavering dedication to excellence. During our conversation, David shared his personal story, growing up in Fresno, CA, and working in agriculture. He touched on the importance of work ethic, passion, and embracing a fulfilling lifestyle.  What stood out to me the most was David's genuine commitment to making a difference in people's lives. For him, it's not simply about the work; it's an integral part of his life. David and his team go above and beyond to work closely with their clients, particularly in healthcare claims, ensuring a seamless and supportive experience. Their focus on building and nurturing relationships truly leaves a lasting impact. Throughout our discussion, David emphasized the significance of growth and adaptability in an ever-changing industry. He stressed the importance of humility, doing right by people, and consistently striving to be better than they were before. We delved into the challenges of engaging employees and collaborating with different providers, highlighting the critical role of respect and engagement in fostering successful partnerships. We explored innovative programs and services, including underutilized opportunities and personalized healthcare initiatives. Overall, our conversation shed light on the profound influence that relationships, service, and a genuine desire to positively impact lives can have on the insurance industry. David's dedication to making healthcare more accessible and affordable serves as an inspiration to us all.Nikssarian Insurance Services, Inc. website - https://www.nikins.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - David Nikssarian, Kirti Mutatkar, Paul Lecrone The episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/BlueShield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical https://sainmedical.com/

The House Appropriations Committee delayed the consideration of a bill to fund several government agencies key to food and ag policy this week as debt ceiling talks lingered. Committee member and California Republican David Valadao joins Newsmakers to discuss that delay, his thoughts on some critical parts of the bill and analyze this week's news on the Colorado River.Then, Sara Neagu-Reed with AmericanHort and Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers join a panel discussion on issues critical to western producers and growers of fruits, vegetables and tree nuts throughout the country including water rights, labor, automation research and the upcoming farm bill. Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

My guest Frank Chavez, CEO of Agrofruits and AgroCoCo is no stranger to the agriculture industry. As a child, Frank spent summers on his family farm in Mexico, and his time there instilled him with a strong work ethic. By 2023, Frank has not only founded two of his own businesses, AgroCoco and AgroFruits, but also partners with PATROMEX, Nutra Fruits Int., and Coconutworld Exports. He has valued expertise within the agriculture industry and his innovative use of coconuts has transformed the market; however, the longevity of Frank's career is built from this personal business practice -- treat people with respect. Frank's commitment to producing the finest coconut products trickles down to his investment in his customers. The familial manner of Frank Sanchez' solidifies the relationship between grower and customer. His story and success have touched the lives of many and demonstrates the power of investing in community. Please enjoy my conversation with Frank. This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Frank Chavez, Paul LeCrone, Rhianna Macias, and Kirti Mutatkar The episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/ 

My guest Rodney Braga is the President and CEO of Braga Fresh Family Farms. For three generations, the Braga Farms has been at the forefront of the fresh produce industry, growing, packing, and shipping the highest quality fresh vegetables all over the world. Rodney's visionary leadership, which is centered on people and their well-being, the health of the soil, building strong and sustainable communities, and empowering women, is a source of inspiration. Through his commitment to these values, he has not only transformed his own operations but has also set an example for others in the industry to follow.  Braga Family Farms website - www.bragafresh.comThis episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me at kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Rodney Braga, Paul LeCrone, and Kirti Mutatkar The episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/

UnitedAg operates unlike any other healthplans or health insurance carriers.  Our members are at the core of UnitedAg, and their needs shape the organization. As a result, leadership at UnitedAg looks different – in fact, it derives from one of our core values: giving from the heart. Chago Martin, the owner and operator of Paragon Personnel and Trilogy Personnel and Land Management, embodies this. His focus is on showing up, and this authenticity requires a level of effort that other businesses do not offer. Chago believes that culminating genuine relationships is substantial when leading. He understands that his employees are more than the work they produce, and so, when he began leading his family's business, he based the framework on a humanistic approach that requires patience and grace. While this may go against standard business practice, this investment creates a long-term effect. As a leader, the value Chago places in his relationships sustains his family business, and as a result, the business benefits from long-term financial success without sacrificing his belief that leading is “from [the] heart and in consideration of people putting people first.” At the forefront, leadership requires empathy – to treat others how we would like to be treated. Chago Martin truly internalizes this golden rule, and the success of Paragon Personnel and Trilogy Personnel and Land Management is the result of valuing relationships that foster growth, encouraging self-awareness, and creating a space for compassion within the business industry.  This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgEpisode Contributors - Chago Martin, Paul LeCrone, Rhianna  Macias, and Kirti Mutatkar The episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/

My guest Richard Plato is the Director of Human Resources at Christopher Ranch.  In this episode Richard talks about the impact of a mass shooting at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in July 2019 and how the company, Christopher Ranch and UnitedAg were both proactive in providing mental health support for the employees. He also shares his views on the importance of human connection in the workplace and the role of Human Resources. He recounts a recent situation where an employee was struggling and instead of just disciplining her, he took the time to understand her circumstances and help her resolve her issues. He emphasizes the importance of seeing employees as more than just numbers, but as people with stories and experiences. Richard Plato's Bio - Born and raised in Gilroy, CA. The “Garlic Capital of the World”, Richard is proud and humbled to serve the agriculture community in which he grew up in. He joined the Christopher Ranch family in 2007 and now has over 24 years of HR experience. Richard is responsible for providing strategic guidance and leadership for all aspects of the human resources function and establishing a vision of inclusion and diversity. He holds a MS in Psychology from SJSU and a BS in Theology and BA in Philosophy from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit, MI.Christopher Ranch  - Founded in 1956 by company patriarch, Don Christopher, Christopher Ranch has been the nation's leading garlic producer for generations. With nearly 6,000 acres of California heirloom garlic, grown statewide, you can be sure to find our products in all 50 states. Located in the garlic capital of the world- Gilroy, CA.https://christopherranch.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/

My guest Dr. Rosemary Ku is the Chief Medical Officer of UnitedAg.Rosemary is a practicing physician with dual-board certification in Internal Medicine and Preventive Medicine. She majored in Molecular Biology with a Certificate in Neuroscience at Princeton University and went on to obtain her MD/MBA from Columbia University and Masters in Public Health in Health Policy and Management from UC Berkeley. Rosemary joined the UnitedAg team as Chief Medical Officer in 2019.My conversation with Dr. Ku brings out the ethos of UnitedAg. Dr. Ku reminds us that the story of human connectedness is not just a one to one relationship with a member but a relationship with the entire community.  We also talk about the impact  of long term thinking on the overall healthcare cost, and much more. Please enjoy our conversation. This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/ 

My guest is Alex Van Wingerden is the owner and CEO of Westland Floral, Gallup & Stribling Orchids and Alexander Ranch.  Westland Floral traces its roots to the 17th century and the Cornelis Van Wingerden family of the Westland region of the Netherlands. For fifteen generations, the knowledge and passion for cultivating flowers, fruits, and vegetables under glasshouses have passed from one generation to the next.The story of Westland Floral evolves into the 21st century with the journey of four Van Wingerden brothers to America in 1967. Lured by the promise of prosperity and the American dream, the “Dutch Brothers” came in search of farmland where they could cultivate a better life. The brothers brought with them their families, the spirit of entrepreneurship, horticultural knowledge, and a passion for farming.Westland Floral  website - http://westlandfloral.com/, https://gallup-stribling.com/westlandfloral/ and https://alexanderranchinc.com/contact/sister-companies/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.orgThe episode is also sponsored by Brent Eastman Insurance Services Inc. - https://brenteastman.com/Blue Shield of California - https://www.blueshieldca.com/Elite Medical - https://www.elitecorpmed.com/Gallagher - https://www.ajg.com/SAIN Medical - https://sainmedical.com/ 

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers Western Growers debuting its 'Real Farmers Care' video for Thanksgiving, the priorities set by the sustainable agriculture coalition, and cover crops that can provide dual benefits to almond growers. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

My guest Brent Eastman is the owner and CEO of BEI, Brent Eastman Insurance Services, the largest employee benefit brokerage firms in the Central Coast area. BEI currently manages over $26 million in annual employee benefit program expenditures.  My conversation with Brent highlights the power of human relationships in sales and growth. We talk about building communities, increasing access to the best possible care and bringing back empathy in healthcare.  Also learn what the Latin word,  labor omnia vincit" means  and why is it  relevant . Brent Eastman Insurance Services website - https://brenteastman.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.org

My guest Ellen Brokaw is the President and Owner of Brokaw Nursery, one of the largest subtropical tree suppler located in Ventura County, California. Sixty years ago, Hank and Ellen Brokaw began the nursery as an avocation. With hard work and innovation, they built Brokaw Nursery into one of California's largest suppliers of subtropical orchard trees. Brokaw currently produces over 300,000 plants per year and exports to several countries worldwide. They are an industry leader in innovation of new varieties of fruits and rootstocks. They specialize in avocados and citrus. Brokaw Nursery website - http://www.brokawnursery.com/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.org

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers Western Growers focusing on the water crisis with short docuseries, taking a methodical approach to carbon in soils, and the fungicide efficacy table updated with strawberry center trial information. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

This is the first episode in a special two-part Voices of the Valley that is dedicated to the memory of produce industry stalwart Hank Giclas, the former Senior Vice President of Science, Technology & Strategic Planning at Western Growers, who passed away in August. Western Growers President & CEO Dave Puglia, Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture Karen Ross, and Western Growers Assistant Vice President, Science, Sonia Salas share their memories of Hank and detail how his integrity and leadership impacted their professional development and personal growth. Join Voices of the Valley again next week as we continue to remember a friend and mentor to so many.

My guest is Shannon Valladarez, General Manager at Monterey Wine Company.Shannon and I talk about the importance of emotional connections, the power of relationships, our responsibility to the next generation of women leaders, setting an example for the next generation of girls coming behind us, Girls Inc, giving back to the community and much more.Monterey Wine Company is a custom wine production facility located in King City on the Central Coast of California. They offer the latest in premium wine-making technologies, quality custom crush and processing equipment, experienced blend development, and efficient bottling capabilities to complement their client's needs. They provide a sound working environment for the wine traditionalist, inventor and entrepreneur. Their emphasis is on innovation, integrity and service is what sets them apart from the rest.Website - https://www.montereywinecompany.com/LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/monterey-wine-company/This episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.org

A representative of one of the world's largest food growing businesses, Western Growers, has been touring New Zealand orchards, farms and hortical operations this week…  Vice President of Innovation at Western Growers, Walt Duflock, is over here as a guest of Callaghan Innovation, and keynote speaker at the apple and pears conference…  He joined us on the Saturday edition of REX.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Albert Keck, President of Hadley Date Gardens and current Western Growers Chair of the Board of Directors, joins the podcast to talk about his family's history in farming and how his decades of experience in the industry leads him to believe that the future could be bright for specialty crops. “You want to talk about pessimism? When I was a kid all I could hear from the industry was: ‘Only old people eat dates' and ‘All our customers are dying.' It was like Eeyore in 'Winnie the Pooh.' Everything was negative,” Albert says. “What we've found recently, the Millennials - God bless them, for all the hassles they throw on us – they're all healthy eaters. When I was going up we ate Cheetos and Doritos and hot dogs. And now the young adults want to have healthy food and real food. They are very conscious of what they eat and where it is grown.” It's this change in consumer taste that Albert believes will define the coming years for fruit and vegetable growers - if the political landscape can work to empower domestic farmers. "We're out there banging on the drum to all of our political representatives, saying 'Hey, you keep throwing stuff at us - the ideals are not necessarily bad, we agree with a lot of the ideals - but we're in a global marketplace that doesn't care about those ideals,'" he says. "It seems like more and more a lot of our political system is definitely hamstringing domestic production. And so that's something we have to contend with as a culture. Are we going to want to grow these crops domestically, or do we just not care?" Albert will rejoin the podcast next week for Part Two of his interview.

My guest Steve Church is the Co-Chairman of Church Brothers/True Leaf Farms. Steve Church has been a part of the produce industry for more than 50 years. In 1999,Steve and his brother Tom formed what is now known as Church Brothers Farms, a fully integrated farming, agribusiness from seed to salad bowl. He is also a partner in the grower-owned fresh vegetable processing plant, True Leaf Farms.  Steve and I talk about the importance of taking care of customers, how people make our businesses and the impact of taking care of people on the profits of the company.Church Brothers is a vertically integrated family owned and operated company that produces a full line of fresh vegetables year round. Church Brothers has an in-house farming/harvest program and state of the art processing plants in the U.S. and Mexico. The Church family has a legacy of service and innovation in the Salinas Valley that spans multiple generationsWebsite - https://www.churchbrothers.com/ourstoryThis episode is sponsored by UnitedAg,  one of the largest association health plans to offer healthcare to the agriculture industry of California and Arizona.  Kirti Mutatkar, President and CEO of UnitedAg. Reach me kmutatkar@unitedag.org, www.linkedin.com/in/kirtimutatkarUnitedAg's website - www.unitedag.org  

Congress considered legislation this week that House Democrats argued was a necessary step to address inflation in food and fuel prices, but House Ag GOP members offered a counter approach they suggested was the better way to go. Committee Republican Rick Crawford of Arkansas joins Agri-Pulse to discuss that legislation, the broader issue of inflation and his goals for the upcoming farm bill.Then, a panel of experts including RJ Karney with NASDA, Dennis Nuxoll with Western Growers, and Barbara Patterson of Michael Torrey Associates offer their thoughts on the upcoming farm bill and what priorities they expect to see from Capitol Hill for the legislation.Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up! http://eepurl.com/hTgSAD

Dr. Jerry Buckley, the President of Reedley College, joins Voices of the Valley to talk about the vital need to expand the relationship between agriculture and community colleges in California. "Across the country, community colleges are the best-kept secret that we have," he says, noting that with its 2.1 million students in attendance every year, California community colleges represent the largest system of education in the U.S. For instance, the AgTechX Ed workforce development program spearheaded by Western Growers and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross to train community college students is a perfect example of the way to pass along knowledge about on-farm skills and technology. "I can teach theory all day long," Buckley says, "but it doesn't make sense until they put it to use."

In this episode of Produce Talks, Jeff Hall (CPMA's Food Safety Specialist) talks to Dr Lawrence Goodridge and Dr Jeffrey Farber, both from the University of Guelph about the history and the technology of Whole Genome Sequencing. Jeff discusses this technology and how industry can apply it to food safety with Afreen Malik, Director of Science Programs at Western Growers. Whole Genome Sequencing occupies a more important role in foodborne outbreak investigations, but many people don't understand what it is or its history. Jeff will ask these experts to explain the technology and discuss the implications for industry.Play the PodcastThank you to our podcast series sponsor, Nature Fresh Farms.                 

Get the latest agriculture news in today's AgNet News Hour, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show covers the complex supply chain issues that will require a complex series of solutions, Western Growers releasing its Global Harvest Automation report and new funding to combat invasive plant pests and diseases. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

Live from Western Growers Annual Meeting in San Diego, California! Lori is joined by Jenny Maloney and Marshal Sewell from Bayer Crop Science to discuss this year's events and the critical issues that America's specialty crop farmers are facing right now.   Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide over half the nation's fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including nearly half of America's fresh organic produce. Some members also farm throughout the U.S. and in other countries so people have year-round access to nutritious food. For generations, we have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers.

Will C-3PO and R2-D2 be working on the farm anytime soon? According to robotic tractor startup Bear Flag Robotics, the possibility may happen sooner rather than later. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Bear Flag Robotics' CEO and Co-Founder Igino Cafiero walks us through the journey of how his agtech startup successfully “exited” and now works hand-in-hand with John Deere to accelerate autonomous farm technology. Igino shares key tips on how to reduce the cost of growing food while increasing global food production through machine automation. He also speaks about the steps for building autonomous technology for farm tractors and how to effectively work with farmers and the ag industry early on to co-develop your product. © 2021 Western Growers

Detroit Hives has one goal: transforming vacant lots in Detroit into urban bee farms. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Detroit Hives' founders Timothy Paule and Nicole Lindsey speak about the steps it took to build one of the very first urban bee farms. During the interview, they delve into how their ever-expanding bee farm is bringing diversity and cognizance to bee awareness, rebuilding inner-city communities and supporting bee-saving technology. Plus, they speak about the magic behind local raw honey curing “incurable” colds! © 2021 Western Growers

Get the latest agriculture news in today's Farm City Newsday, hosted by Danielle Leal. Today's show is filled with stories covering the future of long-term biological use, work on ag labor happening in D.C., and Western Growers launching an agtech workforce readiness campaign. Tune in to the show for these news stories, interviews, features and more.

In this episode we speak to Amy Wu, an award-winning writer for women's ag and agtech movement. Amy has just published a book “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food Is Grown,” that profiles nearly 30 women innovators and leaders in the growing sector of agtech. Agtech encompasses innovations including drones, sensors, artificial intelligence and blockchain that help growers with the challenges they are facing including severe labor shortage, loss of arable land and water and land management issues. The book was inspired by the documentary “From Farms to Incubators: Telling the stories of minority women entrepreneurs in agtech in the Salinas Valley and beyond” originally released in 2017. The short documentary spotlights four women founders in agtech in California. The documentary has been screened at SXSW, EcoFarm, Western Growers, the United Nations Association Film Festival. In 2021 Amy was named one of Food Tank's 15 Leading Women at the Intersection of Food and Technology. In 2020 Amy was named one of Worth magazine's “50 Women Changing the World.” To read an excerpt and buy the book click here: https://www.amazon.com/Farms-Incubators-Innovators-California-Agtech/dp/161035575XScreen the short documentary here: https://vimeo.com/267476596/8391abc4b4

In this episode we speak to Amy Wu, an award-winning writer for women's ag and agtech movement. Amy has just published a book “From Farms to Incubators: Women Innovators Revolutionizing How Our Food Is Grown,” that profiles nearly 30 women innovators and leaders in the growing sector of agtech. Agtech encompasses innovations including drones, sensors, artificial intelligence and blockchain that help growers with the challenges they are facing including severe labor shortage, loss of arable land and water and land management issues. The book was inspired by the documentary “From Farms to Incubators: Telling the stories of minority women entrepreneurs in agtech in the Salinas Valley and beyond” originally released in 2017. The short documentary spotlights four women founders in agtech in California. The documentary has been screened at SXSW, EcoFarm, Western Growers, the United Nations Association Film Festival. In 2021 Amy was named one of Food Tank's 15 Leading Women at the Intersection of Food and Technology. In 2020 Amy was named one of Worth magazine's “50 Women Changing the World.” To read an excerpt and buy the book click here: https://www.amazon.com/Farms-Incubators-Innovators-California-Agtech/dp/161035575XScreen the short documentary here: https://vimeo.com/267476596/8391abc4b4

In today's Tech Thursday episode, Taylor Chalstrom talks with Dennis Donahue, director of the Center for Innovation and Technology at Western Growers Association, about a statewide initiative aimed at developing a future workforce with the skills and knowledge to navigate emerging on-farm technology. Sabrina Halvorson has today's news. Supporting the People who Support Agriculture Thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their websites.   Agromillora – https://www.agromillora.com/ California Citrus Mutual – https://www.cacitrusmutual.com/ The California Walnut Board – https://walnuts.org/ Soil and Crop – https://mysoilandcrop.com/  For advertising inquiries, please contact us at 559-352-4456 or jay@jcsmarketinginc.com

For decades, Peter Wren-Hilton has supported initiatives to address the impact of burgeoning threats on farmers and growers across the globe. In this episode of Voices of the Valley, Peter outlines major themes surrounding ag technology – from New Zealand to Singapore to North America. Peter, who is founder & CEO of Wharf42 and head of global alliance Agritech New Zealand, shares his vision on how robotics – specifically how automation will compliment labor and ways people and machine can work together to alleviate the lack of labor plaguing farmers worldwide. He also speaks about food security spurring alternative methods of food production, such as vertical farming, aquaculture and cellular meats. © 2021 Western Growers

Food safety expert Tim York expands on the importance of data sharing for advancing food safety. York, who currently serves as the CEO of the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement, shares how the fresh produce industry has made several efforts to anonymize and aggregate food safety data, but in the end, they have all fallen short because of lack of trust. In this episode, he urges the need for trust among competing growers and handlers—as well as partnership with government agencies—to improve the industry's food safety record and build a future kill step. © 2021 Western Growers

We focus on ag tech in today's show. Sabrina Halvorson visited the Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology where she talks with Walt Duflock, Western Growers Vice President of Innovation and Dennis Donohue, Director of the Center for Innovation and Technology. Taylor Chalstrom talks with Eric Pflueger with Premier Tech Systems and Automation about a next-generation robot for sorting almond kernels using artificial intelligence.

Listen to episode 2 of 2 of the “On the Farm” episode with Neill Callis of Turlock Fruit Company and Walt Duflock of Western Growers. In this episode, Neill and Walt dive deeper into the topics of technical cross pollination and a distributed collaboration model. They speak about the impact of general technology crossing into agriculture and share updates on how this trend is bringing new players into the agtech game. They also touch on factors driving change in agricultural cultural practices, such global trends and technology that is both available and economically viable. © 2021 Western Growers

In today's show, we highlight three events happening this week.  For more on the 2021 Virtual Almond Day, click here. For more on the Western Growers tech center open house, click here. For more on the Western Ag Processors Association meeting, click here.   Supporting the People who Support Agriculture Thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their websites.   Agromillora – https://www.agromillora.com/ California Citrus Mutual – https://www.cacitrusmutual.com/ The California Walnut Board – https://walnuts.org/ Soil and Crop – https://mysoilandcrop.com/  For advertising inquiries, please contact us at 559-352-4456 or jay@jcsmarketinginc.com

In today's program, Sabrina Halvorson talks with Walt Duflock, Western Growers Vice President of Innovation about the Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology and its upcoming open house event. Supporting the People who Support Agriculture Thank you to our sponsors who make it possible to get you your daily news. Please feel free to visit their websites.   Agromillora – https://www.agromillora.com/ California Citrus Mutual – https://www.cacitrusmutual.com/ The California Walnut Board – https://walnuts.org/ Soil and Crop – https://mysoilandcrop.com/  For advertising inquiries, please contact us at 559-352-4456 or jay@jcsmarketinginc.com

Hear episode 1 of 2 of the “On the Farm” episode with Neill Callis of Turlock Fruit Company and Walt Duflock of Western Growers. In this episode, Neill and Walt speak about what tech development, adoption and success look like. What does it take to get a technology across the finish line? Neill, a NASA systems engineer turned farmer, and Walt, a 25-years veteran in the agriculture and technology sectors, provide detailed insight into how to build and pitch agtech. © 2021 Western Growers

Voices of the Valley speaks with Amy Tomlinson, project development director at Concentric Power. Tomlinson speaks about her experience as the first female Blue Angel of the U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, and provides insight on how her career in the Navy has played a role in her agtech journey. She also gives guidance into hiring the next generation of agtech workers as well as shares updates on how Concentric Power is developing first-of-their-kind microgrids across California that will deliver reliable and resilient energy to customers at rates lower than the current utility. © 2021 Western Growers

Voices of the Valley is back with a brand new episode on how agricultural technology has evolved in 2020 and 2021. Candace Wilson, who led operations at Seminis/Monsanto/Bayer for the past 15 years and now serves as Vice President of Business Development at GreenVenus, touches on the incremental gains in both traditional and new breeding, and speaks about the difference between CRISPR gene editing and GMOs. She shares tips about how to bring real solutions to growers and consumers. This includes conversations that start on the farm and then flow into the marketplace, developing technology as a “team sport,” and taking a global approach to solving problems and moving agriculture forward. Want more tips? Listen to Episode 63 of Voices of the Valley! © 2021 Western Growers

This week's Open Mic guest is Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers. Few industries have been challenged more than produce growers and shippers during the COVID pandemic. In addition to “senseless regulation,”  challenges from reduced water supplies and a lack of adequate labor, Puglia says some growers are looking outside the U.S. for opportunities to raise crops. Puglia says he's optimistic the Biden administration and the 117th Congress will finally address a shortage of available workers and hopes federal and state officials can come to terms with water regulations that balance the needs of agriculture, the environment and metropolitan areas.

Episode 23 of Tip of the Iceberg podcast features a panel discussion between Dave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers; Robert Guenther, senior vice president of public policy for the United Fresh Produce Association; and Lance Jungmeyer, president of the Fresh Produce Association of the Americas. The group, in a conversation that debuted at the West Coast Produce Expo last week, talked about how the Trump administration was to deal with when it came to the needs of the produce industry and how its policies affected key areas of business. The panel also discussed its hopes for and reservations about what positions the Biden administration may bring to critical areas like immigration, trade, labor and others. In case you're new to Tip of the Iceberg Podcast, its name serves as a reminder for listeners that these conversations are just a taste of the vast produce industry coverage provided by The Packer newspaper, PMG magazine and always-updating websites for both brands: ThePacker.com and ProduceMarketGuide.com. Hope you enjoy the conversation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 4 of Tip of the Iceberg Podcast, brought to you by The Packer and PMG, features a discussion between editor-in-chief Tom Karst, retail editor Ashley Nickle and Northeast editor Amy Sowder about the industry's first virtual trade show. They review all aspects of United Fresh Live!, including what worked well to what didn't work as well, what they heard from exhibitors, their own experiences with the platform, and what pieces of it might be worked into the "new normal" even as in-person trade shows eventually resume. The team shares examples of exhibitors who got creative in attracting attendees to their virtual booths and discusses the remarkable convention of produce industry leaders not only from United Fresh but also from the Produce Marketing Association, the Western Growers, the Canadian Produce Marketing Association and Freshfel, the European fresh produce association, to discuss the state of the industry amid the COVID-19 pandemic. In case you're new to Tip of the Iceberg Podcast, its name serves as a reminder for listeners that these conversations are just a taste of the vast produce industry coverage provided by The Packer newspaper, PMG magazine and always-updating websites for both brands: ThePacker.com and ProduceMarketGuide.com. Hope you enjoy the conversation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This story is a collaboration between The World and Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting. Listen to the latest episode of Reveal for more on this story.On a recent morning in Salinas, California, in the state's rural heartland, David Rivera and Alfonso Hernández worked shoulder to shoulder, installing irrigation pipes across freshly plowed fields that stretched to the horizon. Wearing jeans and sweatshirts with their hoods up to block the sun and dust, they prepared the fields for a spring planting of spinach, lettuce and broccoli. Nearby, a large billboard featured a man wearing leather gloves and a white cowboy hat, an irrigation pipe hoisted over his shoulder. It read: “Salinas Valley. Feeding Our Nation.”A version of this story originally aired on The World. Listen here. It was mid-March, the same week that US President Donald Trump declared a national emergency because of the novel coronavirus. By then, over 250 people had tested positive for COVID-19 in California. Gov. Gavin Newsom's statewide shelter-in-place order was imminent. Just an hour or so drive north in Silicon Valley, businesses and schools were shuttering, and hundreds of thousands of people began working from home.But for people like Hernández and Rivera, working from home was not an option. An estimated 2.5 million farmworkers across the United States are now deemed essential workers — exempt from shelter-in-place restrictions to keep the country's food supply flowing. California farms are vital to that system, producing a third of the country's vegetables and two-thirds of its fruits and nuts. At a time when social distancing and careful sanitizing are necessary safeguards, little has been done to protect farmworkers.Yet at a time when social distancing and careful sanitizing are necessary safeguards against exposure to the coronavirus, little has been done to protect farmworkers, many of whom are undocumented and work in remote, rural parts of the country with little access to health and social services."No, not yet,” Hernández said in mid-March, when asked whether he and his co-workers had met with their employer — Elkhorn Packing, a Salinas-based farm labor contractor — about workplace safety in the face of the coronavirus. “There should be a plan in place by now,” he said. But Rivera and Hernández, both from Mexico and unauthorized to work in the US, were hesitant to push the issue, grateful to have jobs. Many of their neighbors were already losing their jobs at restaurants, day care centers and hotels.COVID-19: The latest from The WorldAs they spoke, at the far side of the field, a crew of 20 men and women arrived to work in carpools, crammed into trucks and minivans. Armando Elenes, secretary-treasurer of the United Farm Workers of America, said he and his team have been surveying farmworkers informally for weeks, asking what messages they're getting from their employers. A March 24 poll of about 300 mostly nonunion farmworkers found that more than three-quarters had received no guidance from their employer on safer ways to work, Elenes said. He said many farmworkers, like Rivera and Hernández, are scared that without changes, they remain vulnerable to infection.“Rightfully so, because they're not being provided information,” Elenes said. “They're scared of losing the money. They're scared of getting infected.”He said it angers some farmworkers to be heralded now as essential, after those who are undocumented have lived with virulent anti-immigrant sentiment and threats of deportation from the Trump administration. “So when the government says they're essential workers,” he said, “the workers are responding, saying, ‘Now we're essential?'”  A sign in Salinas, California's rural heartland, which is home to tens of thousands of immigrant farmworkers.  Credit: Monica Campbell/The World Elenes said many immigrant farmworkers feel compelled to keep working, even while sick, aware that other jobs are drying up as the economic crisis deepens. A skipped paycheck means not only less money for their families in the US, but less support for family members in their home countries. “They're going to continue working because they don't feel that they have a choice. You know, bear with it, work through it,” Elenes said. “It's really distressing because these workers are the backbone of this country in terms of the food supply chain.”Hernández said that last week, long after the US had become the epicenter of the global pandemic, there had been a meeting with his boss at last. “We were told to wash our hands more,” he said.Related: Food supply logistics need a coronavirus 'reset,' says UN economistThat was it. No gloves or disinfectant supplies, he said. No conversation about avoiding crowded carpools to work, no changes to ensure more physical distance in the fields. Elkhorn Packing did not respond to an interview request. As of this week, there is no mention of the coronavirus on the company's website.Excluded from reliefThe $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, signed into law March 27, provides $9.5 billion for growers, ranchers and agricultural companies. Yet the legislation blocks many farmworkers themselves from seeking federal help. Nearly half of all farmworkers are unauthorized to work in the US, and the bill limits assistance to those with Social Security numbers.More than a million people deemed essential workers are ineligible for federal assistance from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.That means more than a million people deemed essential workers are ineligible for the one-time cash payment of up to $1,200 that the federal government will issue in coming weeks. Many farmworker families will also be blocked from receiving the bill's $500 rebate per child if their parents lack a Social Security number. And unauthorized farmworkers are also unable to apply for unemployment insurance, which the aid package expanded by $600 a week for up to four months. Some members of Congress are seeking to make future coronavirus economic relief measures more inclusive. Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-CA, whose district includes the Salinas Valley, co-sponsored a new bill in early April that, among other measures, loosens eligibility requirements so “workers, regardless of their immigration status, have access to health, nutrition, and financial aid during this crisis,” he said in announcing its introduction. “We're going to continue to fight for these protections,” Panetta said in a recent interview. The pandemic, he said, is “highlighting not just how valuable farmworkers are, but how vulnerable they are.” Panetta wants to see bolder moves as well, such as temporary legalization for essential workers who are undocumented.For now, the exclusion of many immigrants from federal relief will force hard choices. “If it's your only income and you don't really have access to unemployment, then you've got to keep working,” said Daniel Sumner, an economist at the University of California, Davis. “You're willing to do things you wouldn't do normally.”Related: How Japanese and Mexican American farm workers formed an alliance that made historyMore than two-thirds of farmworkers also lack health insurance.An earlier bill, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, provided financial incentives for companies to provide paid sick leave, “ensuring that workers are not forced to choose between their paychecks and the public health measures needed to combat the virus,” according to the Department of Labor. Yet the new rules exclude companies with more than 500 employees, including such large agricultural employers as Elkhorn Packing. That means Hernández and Rivera won't be eligible. The new law also allows businesses with fewer than 50 employees to seek an exemption from providing paid sick days. “That means a lot of farmworkers will be left out of this paid-leave provision,” said Daniel Costa, director of immigration law and policy research at the Economic Policy Institute, a nonprofit think tank. Costa's research shows that most farmworkers are employed by small farms, and he expects that “the vast majority” of those farms will apply for the exemption. Vineyards in California's Salinas Valley. Vineyard workers are, like all agricultural workers, considered essential during the coronavirus pandemic. Credit: Monica Campbell/The World The Agricultural Council of California, as well as California's largest growers — including Taylor Farms, Driscoll's, Bowles Farming, Bolthouse Farms, Swanton Berry Farm, Sábor Farms, The Wonderful Company and Grimmway Farms — did not respond to or declined interview requests for this story, as did officials with the state and federal departments of agriculture. However, some large farms have posted statements outlining their commitment to employee health and safety. Driscoll's, a berry giant based in Watsonville, California, states that it is following all “precautionary measures from social distancing to the basics of hand washing that have always been fundamental to our food safety standards. Rigorous reinforcement of food safety and worker standards are already in place within our network of independent growers and throughout our supply chain.”Related: The people who pick your berries in Washington will now be represented by a unionDave Puglia, president and CEO of Western Growers, a trade group that represents some 2,500 fruit and vegetable growers, said farmers are taking worker safety seriously.“We're all making as many changes we can as quickly as we can,” he said. “I am actually confident that farmers have been diligent in increasing all that they already do to protect workers in the fields in light of the coronavirus pandemic.”Some smaller farmers said they are offering their workers paid sick leave, even if they may not be required to do so under the new federal rules. Phil Foster, who runs organic farms in San Juan Bautista and Hollister, California, said he has expanded paid sick leave to over 60 hours for his 38 full-time employees. “My hope is that the folks on the farm are going to stay as healthy as they can, with maybe a few blips here and there,” he said. “We will continue to try and get fresh produce out to people in our community and our region.”Foster anticipates that his workers may soon need to wear face masks, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended this month. He has a few coveted N95 masks on the farm, but not enough for everybody — and he can't find any online or anywhere else. So he's improvising. “My wife is a schoolteacher, and when she is not doing online classes, I'm seeing if she can sew up some masks,” he said. He is also asking one of the field workers, who also works as a seamstress, if she can sew some. “We're doing the best we can ...We realize none of these measures provide 100% security, but are best efforts with the information that we have available."Paul Muller, an owner of Full Belly Farm“We're doing the best we can,” said Paul Muller, an owner of Full Belly Farm, an organic farm near Sacramento, California. He recently changed policies so that crews no longer travel with more than one driver and one passenger in the trucks. He also expanded paid sick time to two weeks. “We realize none of these measures provide 100% security, but are best efforts with the information that we have available to date from our public health experts,” he said.Yet overall, farmers' responses appear uneven. Esmeralda Zendejas, an attorney with California Rural Legal Assistance, which serves many agricultural workers, said some growers were staggering work and break schedules so fewer employees were gathered together at the same time. But she is also receiving reports of troubling violations. “Just last week, we got a call from a worker who said there was no hand soap on the farm,” Zendejas said. “It's alarming because these violations have been occurring and now, with the crisis, we're seeing that continue with even higher risk for the worker. And these are just the workers who take the step to call us. We're sure that this is happening on a larger scale and workers are just not reporting for any number of reasons, including job insecurity.”Related: California hospital translates coronavirus information for immigrantsBrenda Eskenazi, a public health professor at the University of California, Berkeley, has helped lead extensive studies on the health of Latino farmworker families in California. She noted that even when hand-washing stations are provided, they are often set up too far away for frequent access. The time it takes to reach them can mean money lost. “It might be really difficult to wash your hands for 20 seconds and to do this multiple times a day, especially if you're getting paid by the basket of strawberries that you pick,” she said. “You might want to rush the process.” “Clearly, oversight is needed,” said California state Sen. Anna Caballero, a Democrat whose district includes the Salinas Valley. “There's no question about it. We don't have a system that says, ‘Here are the new rules that everybody has to work under, and here is the oversight in place to make sure that the rules are followed.'” Improvising to mitigate riskWith few protections in place, field workers are doing what they can to protect themselves. Claudia Isarraz, 43, lives with her husband and two US-born teenage sons in Greenfield, a small town near Salinas. Isarraz belongs to Líderes Campesinas, an advocacy group of female farmworkers in California, and works for $13 an hour pruning grapes at nearby vineyards, which have remained open, as the agricultural industry as a whole has been labeled essential. Weeks before the state imposed the shelter-in-place order, she said she began washing her hands more at work and encouraging her co-workers to do the same.  Claudia Isarraz, of Greenfield, California, says she tries to keep distance from her co-workers as they work in the fields. She no longer carpools and shoulders the cost of driving alone to the fields. Credit: Monica Campbell/The World She is also trying to put distance between herself and co-workers who appear sick. Recently, she said, a 65-year-old co-worker was coughing and sneezing while hunched over the crops. “I asked her, ‘Shouldn't you be home?' ” Isarraz said. The woman waved her off. “She told me it was her allergies.” Isarraz moved to another row in the field, doing what she could to protect herself from any potential exposure.Although it was an expensive decision, Isarraz canceled her carpool, which used to involve packing in five or six people to share the cost of gas. As of late March, she said, “I'm going to work on my own, driving on my own.”But not everyone can do that. On the outskirts of Greenfield, where paved streets give way to dirt roads, a long row of modest single rooms are lined up, one after another, across from vast fields. Their beige walls and doors match the earth. Nicolás Merino González lives in room 13. Still in his late 20s, he looks older than his years after a life of outdoor work. In mid-March, Merino was still heading to the fields by cramming himself into the cab of a pickup with other workers. On a recent morning commute, Merino said, a fellow passenger could not stop coughing. “It was like that for four days,” he said. “I thought, ‘It's not good that he's going to work sick now.' But staying behind means a lost day for him.” Nicolás Merino González, a farmworker in Greenfield, California, wires money back to his wife and three children in the Mexican state of Oaxaca. Social distancing is tough for Merino, who carpools to work in a cramped pickup. Credit: Monica Campbell/The World Merino understands the pressure to work. He works in the spinach and lettuce fields of Greenfield in order to wire money back to his family in the southern Mexican state of Oaxaca, more than 2,000 miles away. The $13.50 an hour he earns is an economic lifeline for his three young children, paying for food and utilities. He is the family's sole breadwinner. On a recent day off, Merino rested outside of his room, which he rents for $260 a month. The room is small, with just enough space for a single bed. A half-full bottle of rubbing alcohol sat on a nightstand. “I use it to clean my hands,” he said. “If I get a cold, I'll rub it on my face.” For soap, Merino uses a single bright pink bar, shared by all the other lodgers, in their communal bathroom. The kitchen and showers, too, are shared. Social distancing is difficult.Roger Tenanuque, the caretaker of the lodging house, grew up in Greenfield and now lives three doors down from Merino. Although he earns little more than cash-strapped renters like Merino, Tenanuque does his best to keep things stocked. He buys soap and paper towels with his own money, he said. When asked whether he thought the renters here would stay home from work if they felt ill, he said, “I don't think so.” Roger Tenanuque is the caretaker for a cluster of single rooms rented by men who work in the fields near Greenfield, California. He rents a room in the complex himself, where residents eat and bathe in communal areas. Credit: Monica Campbell/The World Merino hopes to avoid making a tough choice. He said he has never called in sick in the United States and has never visited a hospital here. “I have been in Mexico, where I have insurance,” he said. “But I don't have that here.”The next challenge for Merino and other farmworkers may be less work. Several field workers said they were already seeing a cutback in hours in the past weeks. Areceli, 41, who asked to use only her first name because she is undocumented, cleans lettuce and spinach leaves near Greenfield. Last week, she was asked to work eight hours a day instead of her typical nine. Other farmworkers also said their hours were reduced. Related: These migrant workers are telling their stories through comic books“We're seeing losses of hundreds of millions of dollars per week easily in the fresh produce industry,” said Puglia, of Western Growers. “Restaurants, but also schools and universities, hotels and resorts — think of Las Vegas, for example — have all shut down for the most part. And that means that farmers, whose customers are in the food service supply chain, are in a really tough spot.”Caballero, the state senator, mentioned other signs that the industry is under stress. This week, she said, strawberry producers told her of canceled contracts with grocery stores and deliveries being turned away. Growers told her that they ended up donating the perishable berries to food banks. Related: How immigrant workers are preparing for automation in agricultureCaballero said there is “great consternation” among growers about consumer demand for their summer harvests.“I'm hearing about more cuts in hours, and I'm bracing myself for more,” Areceli said. She is not sure what she will do. She knows she's not allowed to apply for unemployment and won't qualify for any cash assistance from the federal government — even the $500-per-child benefit. “If they want to leave me out of that, fine, but it's unfair to leave out my two kids just because I don't have the right papers,” she said. “They are US citizens.” At the same time, Areceli observed something new this week: “I'm seeing moms and dads coming to the fields, asking if there is work. It's noticeable.” She wondered whether they had lost other jobs amid the mass layoffs roiling the state and were now heading out to the fields to find work.Reporter and producer Anayansi Diaz-Cortes contributed to this story. It was edited by Esther Kaplan and copy edited by Nikki Frick.

This week's guest on Open Mic is Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers. After nearly 20-years of service to farmers in New Mexico, Colorado, California and Arizona, Nassif is retiring in February 2020. In this interview, Nassif speaks to the need for meaningful immigration reform and the hope that Congress will address the issue yet this year. The Western Growers have made great strides in consumer outreach and implemented meaningful reform in product safety, traceability and sustainability. Nassif remains hopeful that difficult trade negotiations will yield expanded global market access for American farmers and calls for quick action to approve the USMCA.

The Produce Moms Podcast EP 37 Food Safety - Truth, Evidence, and Facts with Sonia Salas of Western Growers   “Food safety is an issue that affects all consumers of fresh food across the USA and the world.” - Lori (01:21)   As consumers, it is crucial to have confidence in the fresh produce that we are purchasing and consuming. As I'm sure you remember, two days before Thanksgiving in 2018 there was a recall that left consumers without access to romaine lettuce. There has been total chaos and misunderstanding surrounding the E. Coli outbreak that occurred. As a result, it can be difficult to know who to trust, and the appropriate course of action to take when these recalls occur.   Sonia Salas, the Senior Director of Science and Technology at Western Growers, was right in the midst of the action during the outbreak. Western Growers is an association representing local and regional farming families in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Colorado. Their members produce nearly half of America's organic produce and 94% of the leafy greens grown in California and Arizona. Their members are working hard to find long-term solutions to navigating recalls and outbreaks and building assurance with consumers.   “Last year was very difficult for Romaine producers …  the industry basically closed down resulting in millions and millions of dollars in losses to crops that weren't necessarily implicated.” - Sonia (14:02)   Romaine farmers are devoted to providing fresh, safe produce to consumers, and take any potential effect on public health very seriously. The outbreak brought many issues regarding not only public health but food waste and massive economic loss. It is important to understand that this outbreak affected a highly perishable crop. Within three weeks, any contaminated lettuce was decomposed and no longer edible. When a food supply is contaminated it most definitely must be handled in a serious manner and pulled from the shelves. However, the threat to public safety is short-term. In this situation, the threat was managed, but in late December it was still difficult to find romaine in many grocery stores.   Being educated is a key to navigating food recalls as a consumer. Let's break down the facts.  It only takes two individuals who have become sick due to the consumption of a specific food to insight an “outbreak.” Once a situation is designated an outbreak by the CDC and FDA, an investigation is launched to determine whether or not a recall is necessary. There are times when recalls aren't related to an outbreak, but to quality, a safety issue, mislabeling, or a potential for cross-contamination. When the investigation confirms that a particular food item is responsible for the illness, the public is notified through an advisory and/or a recall.     There has been substantial action taken since the romaine outbreak. A Leafy Green Taskforce was assembled before the official FDA report was even released. There is also a Romaine Lettuce Taskforce that is continuing to identify areas for improvement. One such improvement is the implementation of new labeling systems for leafy produce. This labeling process will increase traceability to help determine the region responsible for any future outbreaks. “I do think the romaine labels are a step in the right direction, but we are far from a solution that's going to give consumers the restored confidence they need to have and that they, quite frankly deserve after an outbreak.” - Lori (21:20)   Our hope is the the produce industry is free from further outbreaks like the one experienced in November. However, in the event of another advisory and recall, the CDC and FDA will deliver the most up-to-date and reliable information. You can also reach out to trade associations like Western Growers. With an internet full of speculation, opinion, and hearsay make sure you are seeking out verifiable information.   Trade and leadership organizations such as Western Growers are actively working in unison with federal agencies to achieve the best outcome for growers and consumers. They believe in being proactive and focusing on preventative controls to reestablish confidence in the market. You can find more information about them on their website. Some Topics we talk about in this episode:   Introduction // Sonia Salas - 01:49 Who are Western Growers - 02.44 How Does Food Safety Impact Members of Western Growers? - 05:20 How Does an Outbreak Start? - 08:07 What is the Difference Between Mandatory and Voluntary Recalls? - 11.30 How the Romaine Outbreak Affected Western Growers? - 13:48 Wrap-up - 23:47 How to get involved Join The Produce Moms Group on Facebook and continue the discussion every week! Reach out to us - we'd love to hear more about where you're at in life and business! Find out more at on our website.   If you liked this episode, be sure to subscribe and leave a quick review on iTunes. It would mean the world to hear your feedback and we'd love for you to help us spread the word!

Dennis Donahue, Consulting Director of Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology, On Ag Technology

This week's guest on Open Mic is Tom Nassif, President and CEO of Western Growers who discusses his group's concerns about trade, immigration reform and the Trump Administration. Nassif, a former member of the Reagan administration, says it is time for the U.S. to say “enough is enough” to unfair global trading partners but fears the economic backlash of an extended and exhaustive global trade war. Nassif explains why Western Growers oppose the Goodlatte immigration reform proposal and doesn't believe supporters will find the votes to address the issue this year- despite the urgent need to address labor issues.

Western Growers Association's Janson Resnick On Wildfires and Ag by Patrick Cavanaugh

The California Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) is stacking its ranks with UFW sympathizers.

Tom Nassif is President and CEO of Western Growers. He said growers are leaving California to farm elsewhere where they have good land, water, labor, along with a government who appreciates them.

Laurie Greene reports on how the Western Growers Association is reaching out to Urban areas to ask them to urge water system operators at the Sacramento Delta to send water south to cities and farms instead of the ocean