YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
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PIERCE'S DISEASE CONTROL PROGRAM REFERENDUM
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Reminder to Mail Ballot by May 8!
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If you have not yet mailed your ballot for
the continuation of the valuable Pierce’s Disease Control Program, please do so by
Friday, May 8
. CAWG urges growers to vote yes. At least 40 percent of the eligible voters must cast ballots for the referendum to be valid.
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CAWG Website Resource Page
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Our
website resource page
includes all of our COVID-19 news alerts, as well as numerous links for state, federal and ag industry resources.
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Help Inform Governor's New Task Force About Winegrape Growers' Challenges
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Gov. Newsom recently created the
Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery
, a group of California business, labor, health and community leaders who will “chart a path forward on recovery in the wake of COVID-19.” Several members represent agriculture. The task force is charged with developing a series of proposed actions that state and local governments and businesses can take to help the state recover from the COVID-19 induced recession as quickly and safely as possible.
YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED!
CAWG has created a
confidential and brief survey
(nine questions) about how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting winegrape growers and operations. The results will be forwarded to the task force to inform its members about the needs and challenges of the industry.
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State Board of Food and Agriculture Webinar with Task Force Members
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Ag stakeholders are invited to participate in an upcoming
California State Board of Food and Agriculture webinar
, during which the board will hold a discussion with ag members of the Task Force on Business and Jobs Recovery. Ag stakeholders will share their perspectives on post-recovery needs.
WHEN:
May 5 / 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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Government Relations Report
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COVID-19 & EVER-CHANGING COUNTY ORDERS
In the last few days, many counties have extended or expanded their stay at home orders and created new orders – for example, requiring face coverings for everyone out in public. Keep in mind that there is political pressure for increased enforcement because of activities such as partying Orange County beachgoers who chose not to stay at home.
Every county has a COVID-19 webpage that includes a list of all local orders. CAWG also has a
webpage
listing every county order.
Please review these local orders periodically as they are changing quickly and many counties are beefing up enforcement.
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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Update on Roadmap to Reopen California
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Gov. Newsom and the state public health officer yesterday presented an update (
view PDF slides
) that includes details about the four-stage plan to reopen California. Meanwhile,
Modoc County officials announced
that the county is planning to reopen on May 1, but with strict guidelines.
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Virtual Townhall Hosted by Legislators Eggman, Galgiani
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The chairs of the California Assembly and Senate Ag Committees – Assemblymember Susan Eggman (D-Stockton) and Sen. Cathleen Galgiani (D-Stockton) – this week hosted a virtual town hall on the economic impact of COVID-19. Other participants included California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, Roland Fumasi of Rabobank (CAWG member), Daniel Kowalski of CoBank (CAWG member) and Daniel Sumner of UC Davis.
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Ag Groups Request Changes to PPP
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Dozens of ag groups and businesses
sent a letter on April 27 to congressional leaders
stating, “several issues remain with the Small Business Administration's (SBA) implementation of the PPP that has made it challenging for farmers and ranchers to participate.” For the second round of funding the groups listed several priorities, such as expedited approval of applications for rural lenders, guidance for ag applicants, and an increase in SBA's eligibility cap for ag.
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Related Resources and Articles
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Articles and commentary about how the North Coast wine business is navigating the impact of COVID-19 on consumer behavior and industry practices.
$3.64 million in new funding to expand the program.
CDFA, April 29
Public Policy Institute of California, April 22
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Providing creative, integrated solutions for our beverage and agricultural industry partners with quality packaging products and supply chain services.
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CAWG's preferred partner for insurance products for more than 20 years. Group workers' comp, wine industry package, federal crop insurance, employee benefits...and more. For more information: 209-955-2600 or
email
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
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$2M Research Effort to Address Smoke Exposed Grapes
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USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is partnering with UC Davis, Oregon State University and Washington State University researchers on a collaborative $2 million research effort to address important wildfire issues affecting grape production areas. The West Coast Smoke Task Force (CAWG is a member) led the effort to obtain the federal funding. Researchers will look at smoke exposure in the vineyard, chemical changes in grapes and wines, and consumer perception of smoke taint.
“Thanks to the California congressional delegation, and especially Reps. Mike Thompson and Jimmy Panetta, for having secured this funding,” CAWG President John Aguirre said. “Now, the funds are in the hands of outstanding researchers who are prepared to make important contributions to our understanding of how to better manage smoke exposure problems.”
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In Memoriam: Larry Saarloos
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We are saddened to share that Larry Saarloos, a former CAWG board member (2012-2017), passed away on April 24. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends and colleagues. We appreciate Larry's contributions to CAWG and the winegrape industry.
The family has posted touching tributes and updates on the Saarloos and Sons
Facebook page
and
Instagram account
, including details about donations for a park in Los Olivos in Larry’s name.
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Final Snow Survey and Reservoir Levels
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The Department of Water Resources today conducted its fifth manual snow survey in the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento. It recorded a snow depth of 1.5 inches and a snow water equivalent of 0.5 inches (3 percent of the average for this date). The
statewide
snow water equivalent is 8.4 inches (37 percent of normal for this date). Luckily, reservoirs are still full: 10 of the 12 major
reservoirs
are near or above historical average marks.
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WHEN:
May 6 / 10-11 a.m.
PRESENTERS:
Michael Miiller, CAWG; Jackson Gualco, The Gualco Group; and Katie Hansen, California Restaurant Association.
The California Legislature is set to return on May 4 after a six-week pause due to the stay-at-home order. This webinar will provide an update on state COVID-19 related matters, including labor and employment items of importance to ag.
Updating Your Injury & Illness Prevention Plan
WHEN:
May 7 / 10-11 a.m.
PRESENTERS:
Hector Corona and Dan Castillo with Pan American Insurance Services.
Presenters will discuss how your company can update your Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to include language relative to COVID-19 or similar pandemics.
R
&D Tax Credit - Relief for Growers
>
PDF
of alliantgroup presentation with Reed Showalter and Mike Johanns.
Winegrape Contracts & Enforcement
>
PDF
of presentation by Dale Stern of Downey Brand.
REMINDER:
Each CAWG regular grower member can call Downey Brand and receive a free 30-minute consultation per calendar quarter (
more details
).
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U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer notified Congress on April 24 that the agreement will enter into force on July 1.
AgNet West, April 30
At an April 23 meeting, the board approved $2.4 million to fund 12 research projects related to Pierce’s disease, grapevine viruses and mealybug vectors.
Wine Business, April 28
April issue
Spring issue
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MAY
12 /
CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #1, Buellton
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CANCELLED
13 /
CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #2, Paso Robles
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CANCELLED
13 /
CAWG Regional & Board of Directors dinner, Paso Robles
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CANCELLED
14 / CAWG Board of Directors meeting
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Webinar
JUNE
17 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #3, Santa Rosa
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TBD
17 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #4, Napa
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TBD
24 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #5, Lodi
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TBD
JULY
20 / CAWG Regional & Board of Directors dinner, Santa Rosa
21 / CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Santa Rosa
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