CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Temecula
April 4
CAWG Winegrape Day in the Capitol, Sacramento
April 4
CAWG Foundation Wine Reception, Sacramento
April 5
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Sacramento
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Preliminary Grape Crush Report Scheduled for Release on Friday, Feb. 9
CAWG will send an email upon release of the report.
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Cal/OSHA Heat Illness Prevention in Indoor Places of Employment - Update
The Division of Occupational Safety and Health held an advisory meeting today in Oakland to develop a proposed regulation for minimizing heat-related illness among workers in indoor places of employment.
CAWG was represented at the meeting.
Stakeholders and the public are welcome to submit written comments by Feb. 22.
The February issue of The Crush - in mailboxes soon - includes an article about indoor heat standards.
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Government Relations Capitol Report
CANNABIS REGS ARE NOT THE MODEL FOR ALL COMMODITIES
The new cannabis law took effect a few weeks ago under a regulatory process that was pushed through quickly after voters approved Proposition 64 in November 2016.
Various commodities are watching cannabis carefully as regulators are beginning to look to cannabis regulations as a model for all of agriculture. This would be especially troubling in water use, waste water discharge, air quality, land use and other regulatory issues.
In a rush to become legal, cannabis growers would have accepted virtually any level of regulatory oversight. For example, cannabis growers agreed to a fee structure that exists for no other commodity. This includes an application fee ranging from $135 to $8,655 and an annual license fee, ranging from $1,205 for small plots to $77,905 for big farms.
This regulatory structure may be appropriate for cannabis for a variety of reasons. However, cannabis regulations, much like cannabis fees, are unique to cannabis and should not be viewed as the model for other California commodities.
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Perdue Briefs House Ag Committee on Rural Economy, Farm Bill
USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue testified before the House Agriculture Committee this week to brief members on the current state of the rural economy and on USDA's farm bill priorities. He spoke about a wide range of issues: commodity prices, farm loans, weather challenges, changes at USDA, export markets, rural development, reducing burdensome regulations and the 2018 farm bill.
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VINEYARDS & WINE
Clarksburg wine industry helps develop teaching vineyard for students. CAWG member Craig Kirchhoff quoted.
Wines & Vines, Feb. 6
Washington researchers launch big-picture project to figure out how best to protect vineyards against root parasites.
Good Fruit Grower, Feb. 6
Andrew Jefford reports from the vineyard front line in the battle against the 'ever-worsening' problem of grapevine trunk disease.
Decanter, Feb. 5
Michigan State University viticulture extension educator has some tricks to make work easier in the vineyard.
Good Fruit Grower, Feb. 5
Q&A with Ray Johnson, executive director of Sonoma State University's Wine Business Institute.
Wine Industry Advisor, Jan. 15
WILDFIRES
The Press Democrat, Feb. 7
IMMIGRATION
New California law makes federal ICE inspections more difficult, bringing with it numerous questions by packinghouse owners.
Western Farm Press, Feb. 5
GOVERNMENT
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Video: Legislative Update on Water Issues from CAWG's Michael Miiller
From California AgNet: The California State Legislature keeps growers on their toes with new proposals, laws and regulations -- many of which are detrimental to the agricultural industry. But with all of the confusion of the evolving legislation pending in Sacramento with regard to groundwater management, it's great to have organizations like the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) to keep us current on what's going on in the political arena and how it will impact our growers. Watch this brief update with Michael Miiller, CAWG's director of government relations.
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New Plan for Delta Tunnels: One Now, One Later
The California Department of Water Resources (DWR)
announced this week its proposal to pursue California WaterFix (Delta tunnels project) as planned, but explore the option to implement construction in stages. In a DWR memo to local public water agencies detailing its plan, the agency states that
having the option of a staged implementation is "prudent, fiscally responsible and meets the needs of the public water agencies funding the project." T
he overall cost of WaterFix is still $16.3 billion, but the cost of the first stage is $10.7 billion. DWR will evaluate the potential environmental impacts of the staged option and expects to issue a draft supplemental environmental impact report in June.
>ARTICLE: Brown officially downsizes Delta tunnel plan. But can he sell one tunnel? (Sacramento Bee)
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States, Environmental Groups Sue Trump Administration Over WOTUS
The Trump administration's rule delaying implementation of the waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule was published in the
Feb. 6 Federal Register, prompting lawsuits from states and environmental groups.
Twelve
Democratic attorneys general - including California - are now suing the administration to block the administration's move. The coalition is accusing EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers of violating federal law. In response to the lawsuits, the EPA said the 2015 rule never went into effect. "It's worth noting that these lawsuits are over an embattled regulation that's been put on hold by the courts to prevent it from taking effect," an EPA spokesman told The Hill. "Our delay rule will keep in place that status quo."
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Prop 72: Rainwater Recycling Ballot on June Ballot
Gov. Brown last week signed
SB 558 - authored by Sen. Steve Glazer (D-Orinda) - which aims to provide tax savings for water conservation. It received bipartisan support, passing 76-0 in the state Assembly and 39-0 in the state Senate. Proposition 72 will now appear on the June ballot. According to Glazer, the measure would allow property owners to install rainwater capture systems without triggering a reassessment of the value of their property and an increase in their property taxes.
"It is estimated that a rainwater capture system can collect 10,000 gallons annually from 1,500 square foot roof in a moderate rainfall region," Glazer said.
>
ARTICLE: New state ballot measure would reward people who build rainwater collection systems (The Mercury News)
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Scholarship Applications are Due March 16!
Please remind employees that the
deadline to apply for a CAWG Foundation scholarship is March 16.
The foundation is proud to provide
scholarships every year to several high school seniors whose parents or legal guardians are employed by California winegrape growers. Since the program's inception in 1998, more than $403,000 in scholarships have been awarded.
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CAWG District Wine Reception and Dinner
Join Us in Temecula - "The Heart of Southern California Wine Country"
Please join the CAWG board of directors for an evening of wine, food and networking in Temecula! This is an excellent opportunity to share and discuss the challenges and successes of the Temecula winegrape growing region while getting to know CAWG board members and staff.
WHEN: Feb. 21 / 6 pm.
WHERE: Ponte Vineyard Inn, Temecula
COST: $89/person
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Casualties of Trade War? What Changes in NAFTA Mean for California Agriculture
Hosted by the Consulate General of Canada, California Farm Bureau Federation and California Chamber of Commerce
SPEAKERS: CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, CFBF President Jamie Johannson and Canadian representatives.
WHEN: Feb. 22 / 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
WHERE: The Sutter Club, Sacramento
UC Davis Viticulture and Enology On the Road in Santa Cruz
Educational seminar at UC Santa Cruz to present current research and information on a number of topics to wine and winegrape industry professionals. Speakers include Doug Gubler, Dario Cantu, Larry Bettiga, Anita Oberholster and Davis Block.
WHEN: Feb. 20
WHERE: UC Santa Cruz, University Center
COST: $30/person
UC Davis Current Wine and Winegrape Research
Hear and discuss the latest research relating to winegrapes and enology from highly-regarded researchers.
WHEN: Feb. 21 / 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
WHERE: UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
COST: $49 (includes lunch)
Conference on NAFTA, H-2A, Immigration and the ALRB
Conference examines labor-related issues: implications of NAFTA renegotiations for California agriculture, the growth of the H-2A guest worker program, immigration policy under President Trump, and ALRB activities after the California Supreme Court upheld the Mandatory Mediation and Conciliation law. Seating is limited, so register early!
WHEN: April 13
WHERE: UC Davis Law School
COST: Free (breakfast and lunch provided)
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