Growing Together Fall 2025

Partnering For Safety

How MVP Safety Professionals supports growers through training and compliance

California employers are required to provide a safe workplace for their employees. This is no simple task for agricultural producers considering the extensive and constantly-changing safety regulations issued by the California Occupational Safety and Health Administration (Cal/OSHA), California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR), California Civil Rights Department (CRD) and Department of Transportation (DOT). It is imperative for employers to be in compliance with these requirements to protect employees, reduce accidents and avoid costly penalties and legal issues.

Since navigating the stringent regulations may pose some challenges and seem overwhelming, Grow West is committed to offering its customers and the industry members it serves the resources they need to be in compliance and operate safely. Through its valued partnership with MVP Safety Professionals (MVP), Grow West delivers on that commitment.

TRUSTED VENDOR

Headquartered in Woodland, MVP is a trusted vendor whose mission is to provide agricultural producers and affiliated businesses with regulatory compliance services, including comprehensive safety programs and customized training. Its efforts help ensure a safer and compliant operation that protects workers and the environment, while meeting state and federal regulatory requirements.

Headquartered in Woodland, MVP is a trusted vendor whose mission is to provide agricultural producers and affiliated businesses with regulatory compliance services, including comprehensive safety programs and customized training. Its efforts help ensure a safer and compliant operation that protects workers and the environment, while meeting state and federal regulatory requirements.

MVP was founded by Grow West in January 2011. Since then, the companies have worked together to offer convenient, accessible safety trainings in English and Spanish to California growers, farm managers and ag employees.

MVP Safety Professionals Manager Imelda Muzio

MVP’S VIP

The safety and regulatory expert behind MVP is Imelda Muzio, who serves as manager and a trainer. She joined the team in October 2011 as a bilingual ag safety educator and hit the ground running by studying up on Cal/OSHA, DPR, CRD, DOT and other regulations. She was promoted to her current role in 2014.

Muzio’s career has always been focused on providing services for growers. Prior to MVP, she worked for the California Farm Bureau and Sacramento County Farm Bureau in various roles. She earned a bachelor’s degree in occupational safety and health, is a certified safety professional and a certified professional in human resources. Her background, education and certifications have been integral to leading her team as well as conducting trainings and providing consultation services to her clients.

“I used to be the only trainer at MVP,” Muzio said. “Then the company continued to grow because of the increased regulatory requirements. I now lead a team of five trainers and an administrative assistant.”

Muzio understands the challenges of keeping up with regulations.

“Staying on top of changing regulations can be overwhelming for growers,” she said. “For example, every company now has to have a workplace violence prevention written program and provide annual training to its employees. We are constantly educating ourselves so that we are ready and able to provide the latest information to clients. Our well-trained team educates, but also provides assurance and peace of mind.”

MVP also stays on top of expiration dates for clients.

“Some trainings are annual and some are conducted every two or three years,” Muzio said. “Growers rely on us to keep them notified about expiration dates.”

Another benefit provided by MVP is when an accident occurs at an ag operation, they assist growers with the Cal/OSHA or DPR process.

“They appreciate our support and expertise,” Muzio said.

IN THE FIELD OR IN A CONFERENCE ROOM

MVP serves clients throughout the state – from Tehama County down to Santa Maria and Bakersfield. The majority of trainings are held at a grower’s operation. The team accommodates growers as best they can, which means some trainings may start as early as 6 a.m. or as late as 6 p.m.

The team fully understands scheduling according to the seasonal nature of agricultural work.

“Agriculture doesn’t run like other industries,” Muzio said. “Many employees are temporary. When the season ends, the bulk of employees are laid off. When it’s time for training, we have to wait until employees come back. When our clients have new employees, we return to the operation and train them.”

Some sessions – such as first aid/CPR, pesticide safety and respirator fit testing – are also conducted at MVP’s office (1000 N. East Street, Woodland). MVP offers train-the trainer courses on dozens of topics as well as food safety compliance assistance (consulting services for preparing growers for food safety audits). https://fs3.us/

Muzio said she enjoys helping clients navigate the ever-changing regulatory landscape.

“Walking away from an audit successfully, knowing that our clients can check that stressful situation off their list and continue to focus on what they love – farming – is the best part for me,” she said.

SAFETY PROGRAMS

Assistance in developing written plans/materials and organized filing systems, including:

TRAININGS AND CERTIFICATIONS