Western Growers Membership Guide

Western Growers Membership Guide

ON YOUR SIDE SINCE 1926.

OUR HISTORY

COMMITTED TO AGRICULTURE SINCE 1926

W

estern Growers was founded in California’s Imperial

Valley in 1926 as a voluntary association to combat

rate hikes and poor service by railroads. In a time when railroads

provided 90% of the transportation for produce from west to

east, individual shippers saw a need to unite with producers to

protect themselves against increasing rates. In the 90 years that

have followed, Western Growers has evolved and adapted to meet

the changing needs of its members and the increasingly complex

markets in which its members operate.

Western Growers members: • Are local, national, and international, multi-generational family farms • Operate throughout the United States and in more than 24 other countries • Grow both traditional and organic fresh produce • Produce more than half of the nation’s fresh fruits and vegetables • Grow half of America’s fresh organic produce

Today, Western Growers is the premier trade association for the

fresh produce industry, representing growers, processors, and

shippers on regulatory and legislative issues at the state and

1

federal levels.

LEGISLATIVE ACTION

YOUR POLITICAL VOICE

W

e fight hard for you in Washington, D.C., Sacramento,

and Phoenix on the issues affecting our industry;

immigration, water, food safety, labor issues and more. Each

year, we survey our members to identify and prioritize legislative

and regulatory concerns. With this information, we aggressively

advocate and lobby on your behalf at both state and federal levels.

With your help, we continue to influence change, ensuring the

industry’s stability and your success. We believe there is strength

in numbers and together our voice is powerful.

3

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS

WE REPRESENT YOU

W

e leverage both traditional and digital media to advance

your public policy priorities. Hundreds of print and

broadcast media interviews are conducted annually with news

organizations such as Fox News, CNN, the Wall Street Journal

and the Los Angeles Times. We also utilize the latest social media

platforms and strategies to engage elected officials and shape

consumer opinions. Additionally, we keep members informed of

critical industry news through a twice-weekly email newsletter and

monthly magazine. Regardless of the issue – overregulation, labor,

water, food safety and more – we work hard to amplify your voice

and be effective advocates for Arizona, California and Colorado

family farmers.

5

SCIENCE &TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE

WE ARE COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF YOUR BUSINESS AND FUTURE OF OUR INDUSTRY

O

ur members benefit from our experienced Western

Growers staff. We work with regulators, universities, and

agricultural experts on critical industry concerns. Our experts

provide important scientific and technical information to members,

staff, policy makers, and the public to help resolve the challenges

you and our industry face every day. We are determined to ensure

a safe and secure food supply, healthy crops, reliable natural

resources, and sustainability for our members.

7

CENTER FOR INNOVATION ANDTECHNOLOGY

INFLUENCING THE FUTURE OF AG

T

he Western Growers Center for Innovation and Technology

was created to foster a collaborative industry effort to help

find and accelerate solutions to deal with the myriad challenges

faced by our industry.

The Center works with industry to crystallize and prioritize the

problems that may be suited to a new service or technology, to

identify and recruit innovators working to address those problems,

to connect these entrepreneurs with industry to ensure solutions

offered have true utility and marketability on the farm and to stand

technologies and startups up in front of the investment community

to advance their commercialization.

Since opening our doors in December of 2015 we have engaged

24 “startup” companies working on issues such as mechanization,

precision growing, labor and asset management, energy efficiency,

waste reduction and more.

9

COLLECTIONS, CONTRACTS, PACA SUPPORT

WE SAVE YOU MONEY

O

ur Trade Practices & Commodity Services department

began in 1966, returning tens of thousands of dollars to

members within its first year through collections of slow pay and

disputed sales contracts. Today, we proudly return millions of

dollars to members on an annual basis as a direct result of this

valuable service. We are here for you when you need us—providing

guidance and support in Perishable Agricultural Commodities

Act (PACA) trust actions, product guaranty statements, contract

reviews, and resolving problems at destination, as well as packaging

requirements and standardization regulations.

11

TRANSPORTATION

WE KEEP YOUR PRODUCT MOVING

I

n response to your increasing concerns regarding the availability,

and service of refrigerated transportation, Western Growers

developed a transportation program in conjunction with C.H.

Robinson. This member-only service offers capacity to move

produce throughout the year. This customized solution was based

on need and our commitment to keep your business moving.

13

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

WE WORK FOR YOU ON A GLOBAL LEVEL

A

s you face the challenges of conducting business overseas,

we provide assistance with issues related to export and

logistics. We closely monitor international trade negotiations and

address tariff and non-tariff barriers. We tackle a wide range of

obstacles affecting export markets so your business can succeed

in the global marketplace.

15

FINANCIAL SERVICES

WE ARE INVESTED IN YOUR FUTURE

E

stablished in 2000, Western Growers Financial Services is

a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer blending

sophisticated institutional money management strategies with

a wide range of consulting services. Headquartered in California,

Western Growers Financial Services caters to individuals,

businesses and pension plans, and has more than $200 million in

assets under management.

17

WESTERN GROWERS INSURANCE SERVICES

FULL SERVICE RISK MANAGEMENT SINCE 1986

W

estern Growers Insurance Services offers full-service

risk management solutions for our 2,300 ag industry

members. Since first offering health insurance and employee

benefits in 1986, WGIS has expanded to include property and

casualty insurance, workers’ compensation, safety and loss control

services, and health care reform consulting. From growing to

manufacturing, equipment to workforce, domestic to international

— we handle it all.

After serving the agricultural industry for 30 years, we know

the issues our members face and offer expertise that no other

broker can match. As our members’ outsourced risk management

consultants, the team of over 60 risk professionals will guide

members step-by-step through the continuously evolving

insurance marketplace. And because WGIS is wholly owned by

our members, we’re able to leverage our members’ combined

resources and reinvest premiums back into the research, advocacy

efforts, and resources of the Association.

ADI#1068819 | CDI#0I67814

19

WESTERN GROWERS ASSURANCE TRUST

EXCEEDING YOUR EXPECTATIONS FOR HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS

I

n 1957, we established WGAT to provide our members with

plans, options and prices for healthcare benefits that were

unobtainable from commercial insurance carriers. Known in the

marketplace as the premier agricultural healthcare plan, we provide

benefit solutions for employers in this industry to provide health

insurance to their employees and dependents. As a grower, packer,

shipper or related business, we understand the unique challenges

you face in providing health benefits to your diverse workforce.

That is why we offer highly customizable plans designed to meet

your specific needs.

21

PINNACLE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT, INC

WE OFFER A COMPLETE SOLUTION TO HEALTH BENEFITS ADMINISTRATION

O

ur full service, third-party administrator Pinnacle Claims

Management Inc. offers competitive, cost-efficient health

benefits administration to self-insured employers in a variety of

industries. Pinnacle brings extensive experience in medical, dental,

vision, COBRA, and flexible benefits administration to ourmembers.

Under the Pinnacle brand, it also offers pharmacy benefit services

through PinnacleRx Solutions and health management options

through Pinnacle Health Management.

23

WESTERN GROWERS UNIVERSITY

WE HELP YOU GROW YOUR PEOPLE AND YOUR BUSINESS

G

et the training you need for your employees, when and where

you need it, at a price that makes sense for your business.

Western Growers understands the unique needs of the agriculture

industry. That is why we offer expert, bilingual training at your place

of business or remotely to make learning convenient for you and

your staff. Count on us as your resource to solve your everyday

workplace challenges and training needs.

25

LABOR SERVICES

WE MAKE IT EASIER

W

e work with you to navigate the often confusing H-2A

process and help you utilize agriculture’s only

temporary guest worker program, helping to maintain a legal

and reliable workforce.

27

HUMAN RESOURCES & LEGAL SUPPORT

WE GUIDE YOUR SUCCESS

H

ave a question or a problem regarding an employee issue?

Our human resources hotline offers guidance on general

employment law and HR-related inquiries such as wage and

hour, discrimination, leaves of absences, and more. If you need

additional assistance, our Agricultural Legal Network can refer

you to an attorney specializing in agricultural employment law at

discounted rates.

29

WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION

WE GIVE BACK TO OUR COMMUNITIES

W

estern Growers Foundation is a movement of agriculture

leaders working with educators to inspire our next

generations of farmers. Western Growers Foundation is focused

on delivering Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM)

and standards-based lessons to nurture children’s curiosity in areas

related to farming and agriculture.

Since its inception in 1995, Western Growers Foundation has

funded more than 1,000 school gardens in California and Arizona.

The Foundation has a 90% success rate in keeping these gardens

operating at the local level. As leader in the school garden movement,

the Foundation’s mission is to plant and sustain a fruit and vegetable

garden in every willing Arizona and California school.

31

ANNUAL MEETING Cheryl Hall [email protected] | 949.885.2268

MEMBERSHIP Bryan Nickerson [email protected] | 949.885.2392 MEMBER RELATIONS Rob Steinmann [email protected] | 949.885.2266 PINNACLE CLAIMS MANAGEMENT David Zanze [email protected] | 949.885.2209 SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY Hank Giclas [email protected] | 949.885.2205 TRANSPORTATION, INTERNATIONAL TRADE Ken Gilliland [email protected] | 949.885.2267 WESTERN GROWERS ASSURANCE TRUST David Zanze [email protected] | 949.885.2209 WESTERN GROWERS FINANCIAL SERVICES Matt Lewis [email protected] | 949.885.2379 WESTERN GROWERS FOUNDATION Ryan Zilker [email protected] | 949.885.2249 WESTERN GROWERS INSURANCE SERVICES Jeff Gullickson [email protected] | 949.885.2351

COLLECTIONS, CONTRACTS, AND PACA Tom Oliveri [email protected] | 949.885.2269 HUMAN RESOURCES Karen Timmins [email protected] | 949.885.2295 LEGAL AND LABOR SERVICES Jason Resnick [email protected] | 949.885.2253 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, DC Dennis Nuxoll [email protected] | 202.296.0191 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, DC Ken Barbic [email protected] | 202.296.0191 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, PHOENIX AnnaMarie Knorr [email protected] | 602.266.6147 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, SACRAMENTO Gail Delihant [email protected] | 916.446.1435 LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, SACRAMENTO Matthew Allen [email protected] | 916.446.1435 MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS Cory Lunde [email protected] | 949.885.2264

WESTERN GROWERS UNIVERSITY Adriana Robles [email protected] | 949.885.2297

33

CALIFORNIA BAKERSFIELD

4900 California Avenue, Tower B, Suite 200 Bakersfield, CA 93309 661.377.2964 | Fax 949.809.8907

FRESNO

7575 North Palm, Suite 101 | Fresno, CA 93711 559.230.0507 | Fax 559.227.0970

IMPERIAL

485 Business Parkway, Suite B | Imperial, CA 92251 760.355.3943 | Fax 760.355.3948

IRVINE

15525 Sand Canyon | Irvine, CA 92618 949.863.1000 | Fax 949.863.9028

MODESTO

4230 Kiernan Avenue, Suite 100 | Modesto, CA 95356 209.572.5171 | Fax 209.572.1655

SACRAMENTO LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICE

1415 L Street, #1060 | Sacramento, CA 95814 916.446.1435 | Fax 916.446.0181

SALINAS

928 East Blanco Road, Suite 210 | Salinas, CA 93901 831.422.8831 | Fax 831.422.5565

SANTA MARIA

2605 South Miller, Suite 105 | Santa Maria, CA 93455 805.934.1500 | Fax 805.934.2211

ARIZONA PHOENIX

1110 East Missouri Avenue, #340 | Phoenix, AZ 85014 602.266.6147 | Fax 602.277.8179

SOMERTON

3970 W. 24th Street, Suite 207 | Yuma, AZ 85364 928.627.3766 | Fax 928.627.8031

WASHINGTON, D.C. FEDERAL LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS OFFICE

1776 Eye Street, NW, Suite 255 | Washington, D.C. 20006 202.296.0191 | Fax 202.296.0206

34

T: 1.949.863.1000 F: 1.949.863.9028 www.WGA.com 15525 Sand Canyon Ave., Irvine, CA 92618