Naumes, Inc.

On any given day during harvest, crews at Naumes, Inc. are spread across orchards, vineyards, packing houses, and wineries throughout southern Oregon. Keeping all those workers safe requires planning, preparation, and a commitment that starts at the top. 

For 80 years, Naumes has been a part of southern Oregon's agricultural landscape. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Medford, the family-owned company grows wine grapes, and pears that are shipped throughout North America and beyond. While farming practices have evolved over the decades, one thing has remained constant: a commitment to keeping employees safe. 

Ask Cody Bass, director of food safety and safety manager, what helps make a successful season, and his answer is simple: "The more you prep for the season, the smoother it runs." That preparation begins well before harvest. Since much of the work takes place outdoors, Cody keeps a close eye on changing conditions throughout the day, monitoring temperature and air quality and adjusting safety measures as needed.  

In the field, workers have access to water stations, first aid supplies, restrooms, and stocked vehicles. Naumes has also mapped its orchard properties with designated access points to help first responders quickly reach employees if an emergency occurs. 

Safety planning extends beyond seasonal environmental risks. Each spring, Naumes brings supervisors together for a companywide safety conference that includes topics such as ergonomics, hazard prevention, and OSHA compliance. Employees also regularly attend SAIF’s annual agriculture safety seminars, helping keep safety knowledge fresh throughout the organization. 

Naumes is always on the lookout for new ways to reduce workplace strains and injuries, including ergonomic assessments and tools designed to make repetitive tasks safer and more comfortable. Those efforts are especially important because much of the pear and grape harvest is done by hand.  

In the processing plant, for example, pears are individually wrapped in paper before being placed into a box. The work requires thousands of repeated hand and arm movements throughout the day. To help reduce strain and fatigue, packers rotate off the line every 15 minutes for a break. 

For Cody, maintaining a strong safety culture comes down to leadership and consistency. "You just push it out every day and set the example," he said. "Everyone's always watching you. If you don't do it, you won't be a good leader." 

Whether working in the orchard, packing house, vineyard, or winery, supervisors are expected to model safe behaviors and keep safety top of mind. The goal is to create an environment where employees understand that working safely is part of every job, every day. 

That commitment is reflected in a simple philosophy that guides the entire operation: "Safety is paramount. Safety is the most important thing we do, no matter what aspect of the operation. If you're not being safe, it's not worth doing." 

Naumes knows its greatest asset isn’t the fruit that leaves the field. It’s the people who grow, harvest, pack, and ship it. By investing in safety year-round, they help ensure employees return home healthy at the end of each day while building a strong future for the next generation of agricultural workers.