Western Growers (WG) and S2G Ventures are now accepting applications for the 2021 AgSharks Competition. The fourth-annual AgSharks Competition will provide agtech startups access to produce leaders and funding to …
Agtech Workforce Readiness Campaign Launched by Western Growers
Western Growers has recently launched an initiative to help better equip the agricultural workforce to navigate the rapid advances being made in ag technology. WG’s Agtech Workforce Readiness Campaign is comprised of …
Higher-Skilled Labor Pool Will Be Key to Keeping U.S. Ag Competitive
With the necessary advances being made to ag technologies, it will be critical to continue advancing the skills of the ag workforce. President and CEO of Western Growers, Dave Puglia …
Water Provisions of Infrastructure Bill Come After Years of Advocacy
The $1 trillion infrastructure bill making its way through Congress contains several provisions important to agricultural production. The legislation includes significant investment in water infrastructure in the Western United States. …
Hopes That Dry Year Will Prompt Action on Water Management and Storage
There is hope that the unfortunate conditions of California’s water supply this year will prompt decisive action on water management and storage. President and CEO of Western Growers, Dave Puglia …
Harsh Reality of California Drought Shown in No Water=No Crops Campaign
The drought in California isn’t quite fathomable to all. In efforts to showcase the harsh reality producers are experiencing, Western Growers has a new campaign called “No Water = No …
Ag Groups Challenge Additional $4 an Hour ‘Hero Pay’
A group of agricultural organizations is challenging the “hero pay” ordinance that was recently passed by the Coachella City Council. Western Growers, the California Fresh Fruit Association, and Growing Coachella …
Industry Groups Push Back on Emergency Safety Standards
A group of industry organizations is pushing back against the emergency safety standards that have been put in place in response to COVID-19. The coalition of agricultural and business groups …
Phase Two China Trade Deal Needs to Happen
Recent interactions with other countries stress the need for the U.S. to move into phase two of their China trade deal. China was one of 15 countries that signed a trade pact …
Will Water Supply Momentum Pick Back Up With New Administration?
There was some progress on fixing California’s water supply issues before the state legally challenged the outgoing administration. Will that momentum pick back up under the new administration? At the …
New Virtual Desktop Audits Program Available to Leafy Greens Producers
A new online platform has been launched to help leafy greens producers with the auditing process. Western Growers and the California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement (LGMA) recently launched an online desktop audit …
Prop 15 Failure Fueled by Rural Counties
Prop 15 failed on the November ballot and it was primarily due to rural county votes. Proposition 15 would have changed property taxes from being based on the purchase price …
New Western Growers Partnership Looks to Accelerate Agtech Innovation
A new partnership between leading agricultural organizations is looking to help accelerate agtech innovation. Western Growers Center for Innovation & Technology (WGCIT) will be working with Agri-TechE in an effort …
Agriculture Labor Keeping Leaders Engaged During Administration Transition
A change in the White House is not a ‘wait and see’ situation for agricultural groups looking at agricultural labor. The transition period is ramping up as the Biden-Harris administration prepares for …