Author Archives: ccgga

National Cotton Ginners Association Honors Earl Williams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT:
Roger A. Isom
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations
Phone:  (559) 252-0684
Fax:  (559) 252-0551
Email:  roger@ccgga.org

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations is pleased to announce that Past President/CEO Earl P. Williams was recently honored as the recipient of the National Cotton Ginners Association’s (NCGA) 2013-14 Distinguished Service Award.  The annual award recognizes individuals who have provided a career of distinguished service to the U.S. ginning industry.   Williams received the award during the California Cotton Ginners Association’s annual meeting.  Williams joined the California Cotton Growers and Ginners’ Associations in 1993 as executive vice president, was named president and CEO in 1997, and retired at the end of 2014.  He was one of fifteen charter members of the California Cotton Ginners Association, serving on their Board from 1972 to 1980.  He has previously served as an advisor to the National Cotton Council, the American Cotton Producers, the NCGA’s Advisory Policy Council and Supima’s board.  A native of Arkansas, where his family was involved in cotton farming, Williams came to Buttonwillow, Calif., with his family in 1958 and later received a Bachelor of Science in Crop Production from Cal Poly.  Williams continues to serve the Association on a part time consulting basis working on coordination of cotton research activities and is the Supima representative for California.

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations are voluntary dues-based organizations representing cotton growers and cotton gins throughout California on regulatory and legislative issues ranging from energy and air quality to labor and water quality.

Rosemarie Dowdle 2014 Ginner of the Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
CONTACT:
Roger A. Isom
California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations
Phone:  (559) 252-0684
Fax:  (559) 252-0551
Email:  roger@ccgga.org

The California Cotton Ginners Association is pleased to announce that Rosemarie Dowdle has been named as the recipient of the 2014 Ginner of the Year.  The award is given each year to honor and recognize an individual who has provided dedication, knowledge, and special service to this Association as well as the ginning industry.  Dowdle is the Gin Manager at Tri City Growers Gin in Terra Bella, California, and just completed her 50th season at Tri-City!  She began her career at Tri-City in October of 1964 becoming the Manager in 1975 and has the honorable distinction of becoming the first woman gin manager in California.  In honoring Dowdle, CCGA President/CEO Roger Isom cited her long time support of the Association and its efforts, as well as her commitment to high standards at the gin.  As an example, Isom pointed out that Tri-City Growers gin was the first gin in California to receive the award for 5 consecutive years without a lost time accident, and the first gin to receive the award for 10 consecutive years without a lost time accident.  In fact, in the history of the CCGA Annual Injury Survey, Tri-City Growers has the fewest reported lost time accidents of any gin in California!   This is an amazing accomplishment and starts with the leadership at the top.  Congratulations on a long overdue and well deserved recognition for Ms. Rosemarie Dowdle.

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations are voluntary dues-based organizations representing cotton growers and cotton gins throughout California on regulatory and legislative issues ranging from energy and air quality to labor and water quality.

NRCS California Launches Air Quality Chipping Initiative

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California will assist farmers to chip woody debris in fallowed orchards and vineyards impacted by California’s ongoing drought. The conservation benefits associated with this practice include controlling erosion and protecting air quality.   “NRCS is committed to helping farmers and ranchers manage the impacts of California’s drought,” said Carlos Suarez, NRCS California state conservationist. “This initiative builds upon the $25 million we have already invested this fiscal year to apply on-farm water conservation measures across the state.”  The California Air Quality Chipping Initiative, through NRCS’s Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), will assist agricultural producers in chipping woody debris from removed orchards or vineyards that are no longer being irrigated due to the extreme drought conditions. These crops are located in areas where surface water deliveries are severely curtailed or suspended and no other sources of water are available for continued irrigation.  Applying the chipped debris to the fallowed orchard or vineyard land stabilizes the surface area to limit fugitive dust emissions due to wind erosion and helps improve soil health by increasing soil carbon, organic matter and water retention. The wood chips may also be hauled away to a nearby composting facility or to a biomass-fueled power plant where the chips are consumed as renewable fuel for producing electricity. Farmers in Fresno, Kings, Kern, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin, Stanislaus and Tulare counties have until June 20, 2014, to apply.  For additional information, eligible farmers are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center. Service center locations can be found at www.ca.nrcs.usda.gov.

ON-DUTY MEAL PERIODS: WHAT EMPLOYERS SHOULD KNOW

Saqui
The foreman starts his workday at least 1 hour before (5:30 a.m.) the general laborers (6:30 a.m.) because he has to transport people.
He then takes his lunch with the general laborers (11:00 a.m.) and is not allowed to leave. Is this legal?

No. Generally, California law provides that every employer shall authorize and permit all employees to take a thirty (30)-minute meal period after no more than five (5) hours of work.

If the employee is not relieved of all duties during the thirty (30)-minute meal period, the meal period shall be considered an “on duty” meal period and counted as time worked.

The “on-duty”meal period is permissible only when (1) the nature of the work prevents the employee from being relieved of all duty; (2) the employee and the employer agree in writing to an on-the-job meal period; (3) the written agreement states that the employee may revoke in writing at any time; and (4) the employee is paid for the meal period.

Moreover, the employee must still be provided with the opportunity to eat the meal. The parties may not agree to on-duty meal period because it is desired or helpful.

In the example above, the employer is in violation of the law for several reasons. First, if the foreman starts work at 5:30 a.m., he must be provided with a meal period no later than 10:30 a.m. Second, the foreman is not relieved of all his duties because he is not allowed to leave the employer’s premises. Therefore, his meal period is considered an “on-duty” meal period. The employer may lawfully provide an “on-duty” meal period if it can satisfy “the nature of the work” exception along with the other requirements.

California courts have not defined what constitutes “the nature of the work” exception. However, the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement (“DLSE”) issued several opinion letters addressing when the exception may apply. (Note: DLSE opinion letters are not binding on California courts, but may serve as persuasive material).

DLSE letters make clear that the showing necessary to establish “the nature of the work” exception is high. Whether the exception applies must be made on a case by case and day by day basis.DLSE provides a list of non-exhaustive factors that should be considered in deciding whether the exception applies:

  1. The type of work;
  2. The availability of other employees to provide relief during the meal period;
  3. The potential consequences to the employer if the employee is relieved of all duty;
  4. The ability of the employer to anticipate and mitigate these consequences such as by scheduling the work in a manner to allow the employee to take an off-duty meal period;
  5. Whether the work product or process will be destroyed or damaged by relieving the employee of all duty.

According to DLSE, some examples that fit this exception are a sole worker in an all-night convenience store, a sole security guard stationed in a remote location or a position requiring continuous operation of machinery, which requires monitoring. However, DLSE declined to apply the “nature of work” exception to late-night shift managers at fast-food restaurants because other employees are on duty and could cover for the manager with no economic hardship for the employer.

In the above example, the foreman is not allowed to leave the employer’s premises presumably because he is needed to supervise or to address any issues. Nonetheless, the foreman will not meet the “nature of the work” exception because other crew members are present at the same time and can be trained to provide the necessary relief. It is also unlikely that the employer will suffer any economic harm if the foreman takes an off-duty meal period. Therefore, the employer above is in violation of the law because the foreman does not meet “the nature of the work” exception.

Counsel to Management: DLSE sets an impossible standard for “the nature of the work” exception. Most of the employees will be unable to meet the exception. Therefore, if possible, the employers should not provide “on-duty” meal periods. If you have any questions regarding on-duty meal periods, please contact The Saqui Law Group.

 

Did you know?
It is illegal for an employer to fire or discriminate against anyone who complains about a violation of the wage and hour laws or reports a violation to the Labor Commissioner.Source: www.las-elc.org

 

Contact Info
1420 Rocky Ridge Dr. #260
Roseville, CA 95661
Tel: (916) 782-8555
Fax: (916) 782-8565

Upcoming Regional Whitefly Meetings!

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Associations are gearing up for the upcoming growing season and will be holding three Regional Whitefly Meetings. The meetings will address pest management strategies to avoid sticky cotton and provide real time updates in your growing area.  The meetings will be led by UC IPM advisor Pete Goodell and UC Extension Entomologist Larry Godfrey.  The meetings will start at 10:00 AM and conclude around 12:00 PM. Lunch will be provided following the meeting.  The following are dates and locations where the meetings will be held:

  •  June 10th :  Tulare County Co-Op Extension
  •  June 11th :  The Shafter Research Station
  •  June 12th :  West Side Research/Extension

It is imperative for cotton growers, PCAs and other affected parties to join the associations at these important meetings to help maintain our reputation as the highest quality cotton in the world! We must act now and act together to prevent sticky cotton!  We hope to see you there!
Please address questions and RSVPs to Shana at 559-252-0684 or at shana@ccgga.org.  

 

CA Cotton Growers Association Announces Steve Wilbur as Chairman of the Board of Directors

California Cotton Growers Association Announces Steve Wilbur as Chairman of the Board of Directors
The California Cotton Growers Association is pleased to announce Steve Wilbur as the new Chairman for the California Cotton Growers Association. Steve is a partner of SBS AG and has farmed for over 40 years. He oversees the production and operation of alfalfa, black-eye beans, corn, cotton, pistachios and wheat, as well as a dairy operation.
Steve is actively involved in community and agriculture service and holds positions with the following organizations:
Mid-Valley Cotton Growers, Inc., Board President
International Agri-Center, Board President
California Cotton Growers Association, Board Chairman
California Cotton Alliance, Board Member
Cotton Incorporated, Alternate Board Member
Tulare First Baptist Church, Past Board Member
He is a life-long resident of Tulare, California and a graduate of the College of the Sequoias, Visalia, California. Steve enjoys traveling and spending time with his wife Roni; their children and grandchildren.  
Steve Wilbur succeeds outgoing Chairman Cannon Michael. In addition to Wilbur being elected Chairman, the
following officers were also elected:
1st Vice Chairman – Phil Hansen, Kings County
2nd Vice Chairman – Bryan Bone, Kern County
Secretary/ Treasurer – Gary Martin, Fresno County
The California Cotton Growers Association is a voluntary dues based agricultural trade organization based in Fresno representing cotton growers in California on regulatory and legislative issues. Cotton is grown in the Imperial, Palo Verde, San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys of California.

Highlights from the 2014 CCGA Annual Meeting!

The 24th Annual meeting for the California Cotton Growers Association held at Harris Ranch on March 13th, 2014 was one for the record books! The Growers Association estimated over 170 people in attendance and filled the room from end to end. The high turnout was in large part due to the perfectly timed cast of guest speakers as a myriad of recent California water woes in the news have brought several California water agencies into the spotlight.

The cast of speakers on water quality and water quantity included Felicia Marcus, Chair, State Water Resources Control Board; Gary Bardini, Deputy Director, Department of Water Resources; Pablo Aroyave, Reg. Deputy Director – Mid Pacific Region, USBR. Each speaker addressed the current issues at their respective agencies and fielded questions from concerned attendees.

Marcus, chair of the SWRCB, noted her agency’s action in doing all they can to ease burdensome regulations and continue to try to move water but admitted that certain conditions including limiting the salinity in the delta for “health and safety” concerns would not be trumped, to which Aroyave echoed. In addition, Marcus touched on groundwater challenges and prioritized clean drinking water as the heart of the issue.

Both the State and Federal Directors focused on current and historical hydrologic conditions and addressed the seriousness of the drought and it’s implications to agriculture, urban, and environmental users.

This year’s annual meeting was an excellent platform for growers to voice their concerns in regards to water quality, water quantity, and the plague of inaction that has prevented any real movement. Equally important was for growers to hear what actions or positions the agencies would take in the coming months.

As always, the California Cotton Growers Association will continue to press upon these agencies the need for urgency and the huge implications their actions or inactions have not just toward California cotton growers but the whole agricultural industry, consumers, and other related businesses! 

Truck Rule Advisory

This is a reminder that ARB registered Ag fleets taking advantage of one of the mileage provisions of the rule have until January 31st to update your truck mileage into the ARB system. The only ARB registered trucks that do not have to report mileage are Specialty vehicles which do not have annual mileage limitations.

Also, there are ARB requirements that state that those hiring trucks have a responsibility to hire trucks that are complying with the truck rule. Many of you may need to document that you are hiring compliant trucks or are being asked to prove your trucks are compliant. This can be done using ARB’s online system by printing a certificate of compliance and keeping it on file. When hiring trucks you can ask for their certificate. Many haulers will be taking advantage of the recently added “Good Faith Efforts” proposed by ARB to delay filter requirements. Fleets that wish to take advantage of the delay will need to enter their information into ARB’s system. Those vehicles registered under the “Good Faith Efforts” will also have the ability to provide a printed certificate. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our office at (559) 252-0684.

DWR Drops State Water Project Allocation to Zero, Seeks to Preserve Remaining Supplies

A press release sent out today by the Department of Water Resources (DWR) announced more devastating news for water users in California. In response Governor Brown’s Drought Declaration, the DWR and State Water Resource Control Board will take action to conserve currently stored water that remains at critically low levels. The result is a 0% allocation of water for State Water Project (SWP) customers if current weather conditions persist. This comes after their December announcement projecting a 5% allocation. Even long standing water rights customers in the Sacramento Valley will feel the pain with this announcement, with delivery cuts of up to 50%!

Never before has the DWR allocated 0% water for the 29 public water agencies that utilize the SWP. It is estimated that those 29 water agencies supply water to 25 million Californians and roughly 750,000 acres of irrigated farmland! Impacts could be disastrous!

It seems none are exempt from the pain of the drought, including delicate environmental regulations that monitor water quality in the Delta. According to the DWR report, a formal petition has been filed with the SWRCB “to adjust requirements for freshwater outflow in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta in order to preserve stored water that may be needed later in the year…”

These announcements came after yesterday’s decision by the Bureau of Reclamation to preserve rescheduled water supplies that CVP farmers had banked as a hedge against dry conditions. Even with this decision, federal CVP users will fallow thousands and thousands of acres of farmland in 2014, sending local economies spiraling and hundreds of families that rely on agriculture work, unemployed.

For more information on this Press Release, water conservation measures, snowpack results and more, click the link to DWR’s website: http://www.water.ca.gov/recent_news.cfm.

Truck Rule Advisory

This is a reminder that ARB registered Ag fleets taking advantage of one of the mileage provisions of the rule have until January 31st to update your truck mileage into the ARB system. The only ARB registered trucks that do not have to report mileage are Specialty vehicles which do not have annual mileage limitations.

Also, there are ARB requirements that state that those hiring trucks have a responsibility to hire trucks that are complying with the truck rule. Many of you may need to document that you are hiring compliant trucks or are being asked to prove your trucks are compliant. This can be done using ARB’s online system by printing a certificate of compliance and keeping it on file. When hiring trucks you can ask for their certificate. Many haulers will be taking advantage of the recently added “Good Faith Efforts” proposed by ARB to delay filter requirements. Fleets that wish to take advantage of the delay will need to enter their information into ARB’s system. Those vehicles registered under the “Good Faith Efforts” will also have the ability to provide a printed certificate. If you need assistance or have any questions, please contact our office at (559) 252-0684.