Your source for CAWG and industry news
November 30, 2017
CALENDAR

December 7
CAWG Webinar: Whole Farm Revenue Protection

January 23-25, 2018
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento

February 22-23, 2018
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Temecula 

 
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THE FRONT PAGE 
CAWG Announces New Board Members,
Bill Berryhill Takes Reins as Chair
 
CAWG logo no words
CAWG is pleased to announce the new officer team, as well as new and re-elected board members. The new term begins Dec. 1. Bill Berryhill  of BB Vineyards in Ceres, was elected chair. He succeeds Aaron Lange of LangeTwins Family Winery and Vineyards in Acampo, who served in the role for two years. Other directors elected as officers are Mike Testa of Coastal Vineyard Care in Buellton, and Bruce Phillips of Vine Hill Ranch in Yountville, as vice chairs; Mike Boer of Stipp Ranch in Ukiah, as secretary; and Jeff Bitter, winegrape grower in Madera, as treasurer. 

"Bill is an experienced leader, and  as  a former state assemblyman, uniquely qualified to serve as chair of the association," CAWG President John Aguirre said. "We look forward to  Bill's active leadership  and our  new officers  and directors, who will provide strong state and federal advocacy on behalf of our members."

Newly-elected directors are Mark Burningham of Benziger Family Winery in Glen Ellen, Bob Lauchland of Robert Lauchland Vineyards in Lodi, Paul Wulf of Wulf Vineyards in Fresno, and Mike Vandborg of Water Castle Farms LLC/Vandborg Farms in Bakersfield.
 
Re-elected directors are Stephen Kautz of Ironstone Vineyards in Murphys, Aaron Lange, Marissa Ledbetter-Foster of Vino Farms in Healdsburg, Davindar Mahil of Creekside Farming Co. in Madera, and Tom Slater of Slater Farms in Clarksburg.
 
Outgoing directors are Brad Goehring of Goehring Vineyards in Clements, Ryan Metzler of Fruita del Sol in Fresno, and Trey Irwin of Tejon Ranch Company in Lebec. Brad and Ryan served nine years, while Trey served six. Thank you for your service and leadership!

 
Government Relations Capitol Report
 
PREDICTIVE SCHEDULING MANDATE

Earlier this month Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego) announced that she will be authoring legislation in 2018 to require employers to provide advance notice of work schedules. It is unclear exactly what her bill will require, but it is expected to be similar to AB 357 (Chiu) in 2015, which proposed to require retailers to provide employees with two weeks' notice of work schedules.  
 
Most industries opposed AB 357, arguing in part that it would significantly increase cost of doing business and limit the employer's ability to provide flexibility to employees. This bill would have also exposed employers to litigation and penalties. AB 357 advanced to the Assembly floor but was never taken up for a vote.  
 
A "predictive scheduling" mandate lacks understanding of how work schedules are made. Employers typically provide as much advance notice on work schedules as possible. Employers want predictability as much as employees do.  
 
However, there are real-world unpredictable circumstances that cause the need for changes in work schedules. For example, in responding to Mother Nature, growers sometimes need to act quickly and there is not always the opportunity to provide workers with two weeks' notice.  
 
Hopefully, history will repeat itself and the new legislation in 2018 will fail passage like AB 357 in 2015.

 
All State Employers Required to Post Transgender Rights Poster
 
Starting Jan. 1, 2018, all California employers must post a "Transgender Rights in the Workplace" poster in the workplace. The new poster from the Department of Fair Employment and Housing must be displayed along with other mandatory workplace notices in a prominent and accessible location . It addresses key topics such as the right of employees to use restrooms, locker rooms and other similar facilities corresponding to their gender identity and to dress in accord with their gender identity and expression. Gov. Brown signed into law SB 396 (Lara), which requires employers to post the poster.
 

 
Economic Impact Study Shows Extensive Role of Food and Ag Sectors
 
A nationwide economic impact study found that roughly one-fifth (20.4 percent) of the nation's economy is linked, either directly or indirectly, to the food and agriculture sectors. The study shows total jobs at 43,311,07 and total exports at $146.32 billion, with the total food and industry economic impact at $6.7 trillion. An interactive website breaks out the data by nation, state and congressional districts. The data was compiled by John Dunham & Associates, the firm that prepared The Economic Impact of California Wine and Grapes 2015, commissioned by CAWG and Wine Institute.
 
WEBSITE - www.feedingtheeconomy.com
 
 
USDA Reports Farm Exports at Third Highest Level on Record
 
U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2017 jumped $10.9 billion to $140.5 billion, the third highest level on record. The U.S. ag industry has posted an annual trade surplus for more than 50 years; this year it reached $21.3 billion, 30 percent above last year's $16.6 billion. The five largest export customers were China with shipments valued at $22 billion, Canada at $20.4 billion, Mexico at $18.6 billion, Japan at $11.8 billion and the European Union at $11.6 billion. Processed food and beverage exports rose two percent to $39.2 billion.
 

 
INDUSTRY ARTICLES

VINEYARDS & WINE
 
Powdery mildew, downy mildew and black rot disease plague raisin, table or winegrape growers and are exactly the issues the VitisGen and VitisGen2 projects seek to find solutions for.
Growing Produce, Nov. 27
 
Article on Pierce's disease research,  featuring  an interview with plant pathologist Dr. Don Hopkins. 
Growing Produce, Nov. 25
 
The TTB granted administrative approval for the use of these names on American wine labels.
TTB Newsletter, Nov. 24

Lodi Winegrape Commission's Stephanie Bolton blogs about what she learned at the expo - from grapevine viruses to mechanization to shoot thinning.
Nov. 17

LABOR
 
Rep. Bob Goodlatte's Ag Guestworker Act has some flaws, such as capping the number of visas at 450,000, and needs improvements.
Growing Produce, Nov. 27
 
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service has released data for the basis of increasing the minimum wage for H-2A workers. California would increase from $12.57 to $13.18.
Capital Press, Nov. 20


WILDFIRES

Some 500 people participated in the Nov. 21 fundraiser dinner, set up in a vineyard on the Napa/Sonoma County line.
 
A Q&A with the president and CEO of Visit California about the success of "The Grateful Table" event.
Wine Institute's Down to Earth, November


CAWG WEBINARS 
**Recording Now Online**
CA Labor Laws Taking Effect January 2018

This webinar was held on Nov. 29. Presented by Benjamin M. Ebbink, counsel with Fisher & Phillips LLP and Michael Miiller, CAWG director of government relations.
 
 

Whole Farm Revenue Protection - Is it Right for Your Vineyard?

Presented by Kristine Fox, account executive with Pan American Insurance Agency. The webinar will review:
  • Insuring your farm revenue under one policy for yield and market losses.
  • How WFRP can close the gap between the true contract price and the price paid under the typical multi-peril crop insurance policy.
  • How crop diversification increases the policy subsidy (reduces the premium a grower pays), which includes having red grapes and white grapes.
  • What information is needed to proceed with a quote and coverage. 
WHEN: Dec. 7 / 10 a.m.
 
CONTACT FOR WEBINARS: CAWG Manager of Member Relations Natalie Collins at natalie@cawg.org or 916-379-8995.
 

CAWG FOUNDATION
Spread the Word! CAWG Foundation Scholarships Applications Available
 
Each year the CAWG Foundation awards two 4-year scholarships ($8,000 each) to students planning to attend a campus in the University of California or California State University system, and four 2-year scholarships ($2,000 each) to students planning to attend a California community college. The Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship is awarded to a Central Coast student who plans to major in enology or viticulture at Allan Hancock College or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Scholarships are awarded to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. The application deadline is March 16, 2018. Please share the information and link with your employees.
 
 

CAWG MEMBERSHIP
Have You Renewed Your Membership? 
 
CAWG logo no words
Thank you to all those who have renewed for your support! The CAWG membership year starts tomorrow - Dec. 1. All renewal invoices were sent in early November with detailed information on your ability to renew online. Dues are $4.75 per acre and minimum grower dues are $150 a year for 31 acres or less. If you have any questions, please contact CAWG Manager of Member Relations Natalie Collins at natalie@cawg.org .
 


RESOURCES
Nov. 30: Final Day for Survey - Ag Operations That Take Place Between Sunset and Sunrise
 
This survey must be completed by Nov. 30. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board is engaged in rulemaking that addresses hazards related to outdoor agricultural work from sunset to sunrise (hours of darkness), where illumination or visibility is limited. This survey will collect cost data associated with providing personal protective equipment and additional lighting to increase visibility.
 
> SURVEY


UNIFIED WINE & GRAPE SYMPOSIUM
Gina Gallo to Deliver Keynote Luncheon Address
 
Gina Gallo , the senior director of winemaking at E. & J. Gallo Winery and a third-generation winegrower, will deliver the keynote address at the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on Jan. 23. "As a member of one of America's historic winemaking families, Gina embodies a sense of tradition, family legacy, craft and business acumen that transcends generations and inspires future growth amongst colleagues," CAWG President John Aguirre said. The keynote luncheon is one of the highlights of the symposium.
 


UPCOMING EVENTS

California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Webinars
CSWA has several workshops scheduled on sustainable winegrowing and certification. Click on the links for more information and to register.
 
Dec. 14: Certified Sustainable Update Webinar (for currently certified participants), 10-11:30 am


UCCE Seminar: Current Issues in Vineyard Health
WHEN: Dec. 5 / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: UCD, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
COST: $210 (includes materials and lunch)
 
> REGISTER  


Two-Day Wine Grape Production Short Course

WHEN: Dec. 12-13
WHERE:   UCD Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
COST:    $350
HOSTED BY: UCD Department of Viticulture and Enology.