CAWG PAC fundraiser, Madera
November 9-10
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Lodi
January 23-25, 2018
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento
February 22-23, 2018
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Temecula
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Agricultural Act of 2017 Unveiled, Would Replace H-2A Program
Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) this week unveiled a bill to create a new agricultural guestworker program. The Agricultural Guestworker Act of 2017 (AG Act)
replaces the H-2A program with a more efficient, flexible and market-driven guestworker program - known as H-2C - that aims to meet the needs of the diverse agriculture industry. The markup of the bill was originally set for Oct. 4, but was postponed by the House Judiciary Committee. Goodlatte is chair of that committee.
In the October issue of The Crush, hitting mailboxes soon, the AG Act is featured in the president's message and federal report.
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Government Relations Capitol Report
FARMWORKER HOUSING LEGISLATION SIGNED INTO LAW
This year, affordable housing was of great concern in the California Legislature and the governor's office. Housing for farmworkers was a big part of those affordable housing discussions.
Gov. Brown this week signed SB 240 by Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) and AB 317 by Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) to increase current and ongoing funding for the three farmworker housing centers in Napa County. These bills take effect Jan. 1, 2018.
Last week the governor also signed a package of 15 bills that are intended to improve access to affordable housing. SB 3, the Veterans and Affordable Housing Bond Act of 2018, by Sen. Jim Beall (D-San Jose) was among those bills. This bond will be on the ballot in November 2018 and if approved by the voters will provide $300 million for the construction or rehabilitation of housing for agricultural employees and their families.
While these measures do not fully address agriculture's need for farmworker housing, they are a much-needed step in the right direction.
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Medfly: Quarantine Declared in Part of Solano County
A quarantine has been declared due to a Medfly infestation in Solano County, according to a
CDFA press release. Four adult males and one unmated female have been detected. The 85-square mile quarantine is in and around Fairfield and will
affect growers, wholesalers and retailers of susceptible fruit in the area
. CDFA, USDA and the Solano County ag commissioner are cooperating on the project. (Photo: CDFA)
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CAWG 2017 Election Information
The CAWG board of directors works to establish the priorities and goals that keep CAWG focused on issues most important to winegrape growers. You can add to that effort by serving on the board or by supporting the nomination of a peer. Directors serve three consecutive three-year terms.
The CAWG nominating committee has nominated candidates for vacant director positions, but any CAWG grower member may secure a nomination by having a petition signed (link below) by at least 10 members in good standing from the district in which he/she is seeking election. It is possible for two or more candidates to vie for the same director position, in which a director will be chosen by election.
If you want your name to appear on the ballot or wish to nominate a candidate, a properly signed petition must be received in the CAWG office by Oct. 20 (new date). Official election ballots will be mailed around Oct. 25 (new date).
Nominations for vacant director seats are:
District 1 -
Mark Burningham, Benziger Family Winery
District 3 - Bob Lauchland, Robert Lauchland Vineyards
District 5 - Paul Wulf, Wulf Vineyards
District 6 - Mike Vandborg, Walter Castle Farms, LLC/Vandborg Farms
If you have any questions on current members in your area, please do not hesitate in contacting Natalie Collins.
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CAWG Members Among Wine Enthusiast Award Nominees
Congratulations to CAWG members that have been nominated for Wine Enthusiast's annual Wine Star Awards. Wine Executive of the Year award nominees include Roger Nabedian of E. & J. Gallo Winery. American Winery of the Year award nominees include Bogle Vineyards, Kendall-Jackson Winery (Jackson Family Wines) and Duckhorn Wine Company (Duckhorn Vineyards). Sonoma County was nominated for the Wine Region of the Year award, which Lodi received in 2015. The winners will be announced at a gala in Miami in January 2018.
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Winegrapes No. 1 in Sacramento County, Help Ag Production Reach Record High
According to the 2016 Sacramento County crop report, the farmgate value of $507,064,000 is the highest thus far for Sacramento County agriculture, and the record high is due almost entirely to an increase in the winegrape values. Winegrape acreage was up 8 percent, yield per acre was up 20 percent and price was up 11 percent, resulting in an overall increase of 44 percent or $56,068,000 for the top crop. Harvested acres totaled 33,866. Production was 287,861 tons, $639.90 per ton, for a total value of $184,202,000.
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HARVEST
Lodi area CAWG members interviewed about their challenges
Stockton Record, Oct. 3
VINEYARDS & WINE
A handful of winegrape growers in the hilly region, which straddles North San Diego County and Southwest Riverside County, met to discuss having the De Luz area registered as an American Viticultural Area.
San Diego Union Tribune, Oct. 4
The American dream lives strong in the hearts of Mexican-American winemakers in California. Meet the industrious vintners pioneering a better tomorrow.
Wine Enthusiast, Oct. 3
OTHER
Oct. 4 statement following release of Senate Budget Committee's FY 2018 budget resolution.
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DWR Looks Ahead to Water Year 2018
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is reviewing the 2017 water year, but also planning for an uncertain 2018 water year, which began Oct. 1. With weather forecasting one of its priorities, DWR is working with researchers at NASA and Scripps Institution of Oceanography to develop innovative technology to forecast land-falling atmospheric rivers.
"Current short-term forecasting for seven days out is 70 percent accurate, while the 14-day forecast is only 7 percent accurate," said DWR Director Grant Davis. "Advancing accurate, even longer-range forecasting is critical for our ability to plan for California's highly variable weather." A
press release
highlights ways that the agency is preparing for weather conditions in the months ahead.
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Farmers and ranchers are hoping the current administration's actions will bring much-needed clarity and certainty.
Ag Alert, Oct. 4
Westlands Water District's decision on California WaterFix was rooted in a cost-allocation formula imposed by Reclamation - a formula that has its origins in the 1939 deal.
Sacramento Bee, Oct. 2
There is an increasing chance (~55-60 percent) of La Niña during the Northern Hemisphere fall and winter 2017-18, according to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/National Weather Service.
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Crop Loss Reporting Reminders
2017 has been a record-breaking year for weather, nationally and statewide. With wet weather and heat impacting the entire state, there have been a number of grape losses already reported. It is imperative that you report any crop losses to your crop insurance agent as soon as possible.
The rules of the crop insurance policy stipulate that it is a grower's responsibility to notify the agency or company within 72 hours of determining that there could be a loss. Please keep in mind that reporting a claim prior to harvest can allow for a smoother claims process. Contact your agent with any questions or concerns.
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CASINO GAMES!
GREAT FOOD!
FABULOUS COMPANY!
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Unified Sponsorship and Ad Packet Now Available!
Now is the time to take advantage of sponsorship and advertising opportunities at the 2018 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Jan. 23-25.
North America's largest wine and grape industry event is an ideal way to promote your business and increase your visibility. Opportunities include banners, signs, print and online ads. For additional information, please visit the Unified website or contact Jenny Devine at (916) 379-8995.
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UCCE Seminar: Current Issues in Vineyard Health
Foundation Plant Services Director Deborah Golino will lead this seminar focusing on topics such as Pierce's disease, powdery mildew and Botrytis bunch rot diseases, and mealybugs and grapevine leafroll viruses.
When:
Dec. 5 / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where:
UC Davis Conference Center, 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
Cost:
$210 (includes materials and lunch)
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WHEN: Nov. 7 / 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Stanislaus County Fairgrounds
FEATURES: Grower seminars, grower/PCA breakfast, industry lunch, 4 hours of PCA credits.
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WHEN: Nov. 10 / 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Cloverdale Citrus Fairgrounds
FEATURES: Grower seminars, grower/PCA breakfast, industry lunch, 4 hours of PCA credits.
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WHEN: Nov. 14 / 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
WHERE: Big Fresno Fairgrounds
FEATURES: Grower seminars, grower/PCA breakfast, industry lunch, 5 hours of CEUs.
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