CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Santa Rosa
January 24-26
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento
February 8-9
CAWG Leadership Forum, Sacramento
March 15
CAWG Winegrape Day in the Capitol, Sacramento
March 15
CWGGF Wine Reception, Sacramento
March 16
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Sacramento
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Legislators to Host Hearing on Issues Facing Wine Industry
A joint
legislative committee hearing
to discuss issues facing the California wine industry will be held next week at UC Davis. The hearing will be hosted by Sen. Lois Wolk (D-Davis) and Assemblyman Bill Dodd (D-Napa). The Committee on Agriculture and Select Committees on Wine will meet with industry experts for an informational hearing on the future of the California wine industry. The main topics will be a new study on the economic impact of California's wine industry and how technological advancements can improve water efficiency. "UC Davis is a world leader in viticulture and winemaking education, making it the perfect venue for the Legislature to discuss new research and water saving technology," said Dodd. "As the chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee and the Select Committee on Wine, I believe expanding best practices and new technologies can aid other crops, benefit the economy and protect our environment."
WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 4 / 1-3:30 p.m.
WHERE: UC Davis School of Law, King Hall, Room 1001 (4000 Mrak Hall Drive, Davis)
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CAWG Hosts Napa Valley Tour for Congressional Staff
In an effort to educate federal decision-makers about the California winegrape industry, CAWG President John Aguirre hosted a group of key congressional staff on a tour through Napa Valley vineyards on July 25. The four staff members, who work for the Senate Committee on Appropriations, were visiting various California agricultural destinations. They play a vital role in funding agricultural research, pest and disease exclusion and eradication programs, and other important programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The group toured Yount Mill Vineyards and were briefed by Andy Hoxsey and CAWG director Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko on labor availability, Pierce's disease, European grapevine moth and other issues. At the UC Davis Agricultural Experiment Station at Oakville they received a briefing from Kaan Kurtural, Cooperative Extension specialist in viticulture, on ongoing research projects, with particular attention to mechanization in the vineyard. Finally, the group met with Bruce Cakebread at Cakebread Cellars to learn about vineyard and winery operations and the importance of agricultural research. Napa County Ag Commissioner Greg Clark and Roger Spencer of the California Department of Food and Agriculture were also part of the tour group.
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OSHA Penalties Increase 78 Percent Starting Aug. 1
From KPA: On June 30, 2016, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced an increase in monetary penalties for violations of OSHA standards and regulations. The increased penalties are the direct result of a provision in the 2015 Inflation Adjustment Act, which gives OSHA the authority to increase penalties to adjust for inflation. This new law requires agencies to publish "catch up" rules to make up for low penalties over the past three decades, and directs agencies to adjust their penalties moving forward based on the Consumer Price Index. OSHA has not adjusted its penalties since 1990. Effective Aug. 1, 2016, OSHA's maximum penalties will increase by 78 percent. Any citations issued by OSHA after that date will be subject to the new penalties if the related violations occurred after Nov. 2, 2015.
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Soberanes Fire Destroys, Threatens Monterey County Vineyards
CAWG is sending thoughts to the Monterey County families/vineyards that have been affected by the Soberanes fire. As of today (July 29),
Cal Fire reports that the fire is more than 31,300 acres and only 15 percent contained. According to an article in
Wines and Vines, the fire has already claimed one vineyard and is threatening the 2016 vintage in parts of Monterey County.
Kim Stemler, executive director of the Monterey County Vintners & Growers Association
, is quoted in the article.
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Pesticide Worker Safety Rule Under Review
U.S. EPA is getting closer to finalizing standards for certifying workers who apply restricted-use pesticides to crops. In a
Federal Register notice
on July 25, the agency announced it has sent the rule to USDA for review. The USDA review is required under federal pesticide law, before the measure heads to the White House for a final review, according to Politico. The new standards would require certifications to be renewed every three years and establish new training and licensing requirements. For the first time, the regulations would also set a minimum age requirement of 18 years old for people seeking certification. The proposed rule applies only to those chemicals that pose a high health risk. -From the National Association of Farm Broadcasting news service.
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Sunset Magazine Names Paso Robles Best Wine Country Town
Congratulations to the Paso Robles wine region for receiving top honors from Sunset magazine. The description reads: "Despite its size - 32,000 acres of grapes and 11 AVAs growing 40 varietals that can be sampled in more than 200 tasting rooms, most of which are family owned - the vibe is nothing if not laid-back. The historic town square is circled by shops and chef-owned restaurants. Highway 46 is a bucolic drive with more than a dozen wineries that pour in barns, cafes, underground caves, and cattle ranches." Other finalists included McMinnville, Ore., Monterey County/Carmel County and Solvang, Calif.
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The CAWG conference
highlighted the drive to mechanize as many cultural practices as possible to avoid high labor costs and to encourage innovation in fighting viruses. California Ag Today, July 28
The North Coast grape harvest for 2016 officially kicked off Thursday morning as work crews picked a block of pinot meunier at the Green Island Vineyard. Press Democrat, July 28
As the berries continued to swell during the second week of July in Stagecoach Vineyard's 600 acres of Napa Valley wine grapes, viticulturist Gabrielle Shaffer was much more upbeat about her crop that she was a year ago. Western Farm Press, July 27
The larger Pacific spider mite is the main pest mite species in the San Joaquin Valley and may also be the primary pest mite in certain coastal grape-growing areas. Western Farm Press, July 27
A group of experts on the winegrape industry told CAWG members that they shouldn't wait for "big agriculture" and big equipment manufacturers to invent solutions to their problems. Salinas Californian, July 22
Extensive article written about the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology by Alder Yarrow for the Jancis Robinson blogsite.
A brief summary about g
rapevine red blotch-associated virus and red blotch disease and findings
.
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Delta-Mendota Canal: Draft Environmental Documents
T
he Bureau of Reclamation has released for public review the draft environmental documents assessing the proposed approval of a temporary change in the maximum acceptable concentration of selenium for groundwater pumped into the upper portion of the Delta-Mendota Canal. The temporary change is in response to drought conditions and would allow an additional 11 wells to cumulatively pump up to 21 cubic feet per second of groundwater through Sept. 30, 2016 (approximately 2,462 acre-feet in total). Comments are due by Aug. 5.
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Groundwater Tour Visits Wineries
WHEN: Oct. 5-6
The Water Education Foundation's Groundwater Tour 2016 will explore groundwater basins in Yolo, Colusa, Butte and Glenn counties and visit groundwater monitoring stations, wells, wineries and other sites. Participants will learn about the importance of groundwater in these regions and how the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is being implemented. Water managers, scientists, academics, farmers and habitat specialists will discuss how California's groundwater situation affects different industries and populations. In addition to SGMA, experts will talk about groundwater geology, quality, recharge, overdraft, subsidence, conservation and agricultural use. An early-bird discount is available until Sept. 5.
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Water Articles and Resources
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CAWG Summer Conference Photos on Facebook
Cick here to see photo gallery
Night Harvest and Illumination
>AgSafe fact sheet: click
here
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Italian Varieties Seminar in Plymouth
WHEN: Aug. 4 / 6 p.m.
WHERE: Terra D'Oro, Trinchero Family Estates, Plymouth
UCCE Farm Advisor Lynn Wunderlich will give a brief overview of the El Dorado and Amador vineyards with Italian varieties. Professor Vittorino Novello, University of Turin, will discuss how these varieties are grown in Italy and what new varieties may be valuable for foothill growers to explore. Cost is $30.
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Heat Alert from the National Weather Service
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Apps for Ag Hackathon Winners Announced
Innovative apps for produce sharing, farmworker health, and tracking invasive pests were the winners in the Apps for Ag Hackathon, sponsored by UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, the California State Fair and the city of Sacramento. The event brought together software developers, designers, entrepreneurs, farmers and others who work in agriculture.
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AgSafe Pesticide Compliance Webinars
Eight webinars will cover the general practices of EPA and DPR pesticide compliance, as well as the comprehensive strategies and current regulation systems that go along with pest management. The hourlong webinars are scheduled between Aug. 5 and Nov. 10.
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Grape Day at Fresno State
WHEN: Aug. 2 / 7 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Grape Day is an informal workshop and field day at Fresno State for grape growers, managers, winemakers and winery personnel. The program includes updates and practical presentations on current grape and wine topics. Other features include tours of Fresno State vineyards, the grape and wine facilities, and the Jordan Agricultural Research Center. Advance registration by July 28 is $20.
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FREE California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance Webinars
Sustainable self-assessment and certification webinars
WHEN: Aug. 19: 10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
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