About Washington Growers League

The Washington Growers League is a non-profit, non-partisan association formed exclusively to assist and represent agricultural employers on labor and employment issues. We are the labor specialists in the industry and provide vital human resource services to agricultural employers.

Exclusive benefits for WGL members:

• Access to a highly qualified staff with experience solving labor problems in the workplace


• Expert knowledge on industry-wide labor issues such as immigration, labor supply, wages and labor relations


• Accurate, legally correct information available when it's needed


• Original educational materials and information on labor management


• Intervention with government agencies, when needed


• Aggressive advocacy in the state legislature and key agricultural agencies


• Significant discounts on additional services and products offered by the Washington Growers League

WGL Staff

Mike Gempler is the Executive Director of the Washington Growers League. He also administers the Northwest Growers Association, providing H-2A and H-2B services for agricultural employers.

Mike currently serves as President of the National Council of Agricultural Employers (NCAE), based in Washington, DC. He also serves as Treasurer of the Washington State Farmworker Housing Trust, as a member of the Stewardship Council of the Food Alliance, and as Treasurer of the Mt. Adams Health Foundation. He received a bachelor's degree in agriculture from Ohio State University and a master's degree in agricultural economics from the University of Wyoming. Mike is also a graduate of the Washington Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program.

Linda Brown is WGL's Office Administrator. She has more than 10 years' experience connecting WGL members with the resources and information they need.

Jesse Lane is the Housing Program Manager for Washington Growers League.

Felicia Ellithorpe handles Northwest Growers Association (NGA) Services for WGL members interested in using the H-2A Program.

Nancy Graber is the Staff Attorney for Washington Growers League.

Don Merritt handles WGL's Membership Services.

Chris Cheney is WGL's Contract Lobbyist.

WGL Board of Directors

The Board of Directors for Washington Growers League includes growers from all areas of Washington state. Board members are elected by the voting membership of WGL and serve a three-year term.

Richard Halvorson,Toppenish
WGL Board President

Bernard Gamache, Wapato

Larry Knudson, Yakima

John Senseney, Wenatchee

Tom Waliser, Walla Walla