YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
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CAWG / CAWG FOUNDATION EVENTS THIS WEEK
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CAWG Day in the Capitol
THANK YOU
to the nearly 50 CAWG members who advocated on behalf of winegrape growers at the state Capitol! During a few hours of grassroots lobbying, CAWG members met with 40 legislators and/or legislative staff members. It was a valuable opportunity to engage and educate decision makers about critical industry issues. During the morning speaker session, attendees heard from Marie Waldron, Assembly Republican leader; Roger Spencer, Pierce’s Disease Control Program/CDFA; Caroline Silveira and Carol Burns, Corteva Agriscience; and Assemblymember Susan Talamantes Eggman (D-Stockton), Assembly Ag Committee chair. Jackson Gualco and Michael Miiller also provided a briefing ahead of the legislative visits. Additional details and photos will be featured in the April issue of The Crush, to be published online next week.
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CAWG Foundation Gala
THANK YOU
to everyone who attended, supported and donated items to this wonderful event at the Sutter Club, which brought together CAWG members, government leaders and industry friends. The event – in its fourth year – raises funds for CAWG Foundation scholarships for children of California winegrape grower employees. It includes a silent auction, raffle and blind wine tasting competition by legislators and elected officials.
In a friendly wine tasting competition -- featuring 31 red and white wines from 23 California wineries -- legislators awarded gold medals to nine wines:
Chardonnay:
2017 Chardonnay, Fenestra Winery, Livermore (nominated by: Senator Steven Glazer)
Albariño:
2016 Albariño, King Andrews Vineyard, Suisun Valley (nominated by: Assemblymember Jim Frazier)
Other White Wines:
2017 Alder Grove Sauvignon Blanc, Quivira Vineyards, Healdsburg (nominated by: Assemblymember Jim Wood)
Cabernet Sauvignon:
2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Berryhill Family Vineyards, Ceres (nominated by: Assemblymember Adam Gray)
Zinfandel:
2015 Old Ghost Old Vine Zinfandel, Klinker Brick Winery, Lodi (nominated by: Assemblymember Jim Cooper)
Pinot Noir:
2017 Pinot Noir, Alara Cellars, Gilroy (nominated by: Assemblymember Robert Rivas)
Port:
Old Vine Tinta Port, Ficklin Vineyards, Madera (nominated by: Senator Andreas Borgeas)
Red Blends:
2015 Proprietor’s Blend, Elevation Ten, Clarksburg (nominated by: Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry)
Other Red Wines:
2016 Petite Sirah, Scheid Vineyards, Monterey (nominated by: Assemblymember Robert Rivas)
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Grape Crush Report Final 2018
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CDFA, in cooperation with USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, yesterday released the California Grape Crush Report Final 2018. Following its release, CAWG sent an email to members with the following links:
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Newly-Released Census of Agriculture Provides Wealth of Information
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The 2017 Census of Agriculture is now available from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The full report – more than 700 pages – includes valuable insights into number of farms, land in farms, total value of production, demographics, and more at the national, state and county levels. One statistic to note is 96 percent of American farms and ranches are family owned!
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Government Relations Report
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PROPOSED CHLORPYRIFOS BAN WAS AMENDED
This week, the Senate Health Committee took up
SB 458
(Durazo, D-Los Angeles) which would ban pesticides containing chlorpyrifos. Senators were moved by concerns raised by winegrape growers during CAWG Day in the Capitol.
California has some of the strictest pest management regulations in the nation, if not the world. CAWG and other ag organizations are opposed to any legislation that goes around the existing science-based regulatory process. Senators heard our concerns and forced amendments to the bill that allow for the use of chlorpyrifos if the Department of Pesticide Regulation adopts control measures for its use.
These amendments make the bill only lightly better and do not remove opposition. Additionally, the amendments are nebulous, as they appear to allow the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment to override DPR’s control measures.
Unfortunately, the bill was approved by the Senate Health Committee. Though, on the plus side of the equation, it appears that senators share our concerns and will continue working with us.
Thank you to all the growers who came to Sacramento for our Day in the Capitol, many of whom testified in opposition to the bill at the committee hearing. This testimony was critical in laying the foundation for hopefully defeating SB 458 as the bill has a long road ahead of it.
OUTDOOR LIGHTING REGULATIONS HEARING NEXT WEEK
Growers are invited to attend a public hearing at 10 a.m. on April 18 at the State Resources building (1416 9th Street, Sacramento). Public comments can also be submitted by 5 p.m. on April 18 by mail to Sarah Money, Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board, 2520 Venture Oaks Way, Suite 350, Sacramento, CA 95833, or to
oshsb@dir.ca.gov
.
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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US Wine Exports Reach $1.47B in 2018
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According to Wine Institute, U.S. wine exports -- more than 90 percent from California -- reached $1.47 billion in winery revenues and 41.7 million cases in 2018. Exports were down 4.8 percent in value and 1.2 percent in volume due to the strong dollar, retaliatory tariffs, competition from foreign wine producers who are heavily subsidized by their governments and benefiting from free trade agreements in key markets.
The top 10 export markets for California wines are: the European Union’s (EU) 28-member countries ($469 million), Canada ($449 million), Hong Kong ($130 million), Japan ($93 million), China ($59 million), Mexico ($27 million), South Korea ($25 million), Nigeria ($15 million), Dominican Republic ($14 million), and Singapore ($14 million). Significant decreases were the EU ($553 million in 2017) and China ($79 million in 2017). Wine Institute’s regional trade directors reported in the press release on 2018 exports for key export markets, including Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, Japan and China/Pacific Rim.
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Appropriations: USDA FY2020 Budget
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Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue testified this week before the House and Senate agriculture appropriations subcommittees to explain and defend the agency’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year. On disaster relief, Perdue said, “In 2017, Congress provided supplemental assistance for producers who experienced losses not covered by existing forms of relief. USDA stands ready to quickly implement assistance, bolstered by lessons learned, for similar losses in 2018 should Congress decide once again to act.”
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California Tractor and Mobile Equipment Survey Extended Until May 15
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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is requesting participation in a 2019 ag equipment survey (approx. time = 20 minutes). CARB has contracted with Cal Poly San Luis Obispo to administer the completely anonymous survey, which covers all mobile ag equipment -- tractors, ATVs, forklifts, sprayers and more. Results from a similar 2008 survey helped determine allocations for millions of dollars in equipment turnover programs across California, from federal and air district incentive programs. CARB’s goal is to collect information on ag equipment inventory and usage to inform incentive spending and determine statewide emissions from agriculture.
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RSVP for 2019 California Green Medal Award Ceremony
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The California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards ceremony will be held on May 1 at CDFA, followed by a 5 p.m. reception at the state Capitol. Awardees were Silver Oak Cellars (Leader Award), Scheid Family Wines (Environment Award), Smith Family Wines (Community Award) and Domaine Carneros (Business Award).
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Proposal for Emergency Regulation to Protect Workers from Wildfire Smoke
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Cal/OSHA is holding an advisory meeting seeking input on the development of an emergency rulemaking proposal addressing worker exposure to wildfire smoke. The meeting is scheduled for May 8 in Oakland.
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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 via
email
. Paid sponsorship: CA license No. 0F89850.
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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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Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
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IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING
CAWG eNEWS,
CALL 916-379-8995.
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Event Video: State, Federal Experts on San Joaquin Valley's Water Future
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From the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC):
How can state and federal agencies help California’s largest ag region address its difficult water management problems? A recent event brought together PPIC experts with top officials to address this question. Speakers included Ellen Hanak, PPIC Water Policy Center; Wade Crowfoot, California Natural Resources Agency; Thomas Hedt, Natural Resources Conservation Service‒California; Karen Ross, CDFA; and Sarge Green, Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State.
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CAWG AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE
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LAST CALL! Recognize Your Colleagues Who Have Made a Difference
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Please take the time to submit a nomination for an exceptional industry colleague. Award nominations of CAWG members may be made by any individual or organization. Additional details and nomination forms are available
here
.
Please return the completed forms by April 12
to natalie@cawg.org or fax to 916-379-8999.
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CDFA Internships for College Students
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The
CDFA Internship Program --
available in several divisions -- is designed for college students of all majors and backgrounds who have an interest in agriculture, California government and public service. Internships are available to students year-round and generally last 10-16 weeks. Students should be available for at least 8 to 10 hours per week, up to 30 hours per week, depending on the internship offered.
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2019 National Winegrape Policy Conference: Early Bird Rate Ends April 19
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WHEN: May 20-22
WHERE: Washington Court Hotel in Washington, D.C. ABOUT: Capitol Hill visits, sessions, speakers and receptions.
REGISTRATION: Early bird rate ($395) ends April 19.
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PD/GWSS Board and PD Advisory Task Force Meeting
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WHEN: April 29 / 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
WHERE: CDFA, 2800 Gateway Oaks Drive (Room 267), Sacramento
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UCD Winegrape Irrigation Short Course
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WHEN: May 22-23
WHERE: Springhill Suites, Napa and Oakville Station
Seats are limited - register early!
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June 24
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Sonoma
June 25
CAWG Summer Conference, Sonoma
June 25
CAWG Awards of Excellence Program and Dinner, Sonoma
June 26
CAWG Foundation Golf Tournament, Sonoma
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