April 29, 2021
YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
NEWS ITEMS
CA Ag Leader Nominated for USDA Undersecretary
CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt has been nominated by President Biden to be USDA undersecretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Moffitt has a production ag background: prior to CDFA, she spent 10 years as managing director at Dixon Ridge Farms, her family’s organic walnut farm and processing operation in Winters. Additionally, Moffitt served on the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, worked for American Farmland Trust, and graduated from the California Ag Leadership Program.

“In Jenny’s seven years at CDFA (as undersecretary and deputy secretary), she has shown herself to be a tireless advocate for agriculture and the people of California,” CDFA Secretary Karen Ross said in a press release.
 
Government Relations Report
STATE BUDGET – THE FINAL STRETCH 
The 2021-22 state budget takes effect July 1. Over the last few months, the California Legislature has been mulling over Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget. Newsom will soon release his budget revisions in what is referred to as the “May revise.” This week, Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-San Francisco), chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, unveiled the Assembly’s 2021-22 Revised Budget Blueprint, Preserve | Respond | Protect | Recover.  
 
Highlights of the Assembly’s plan include the following: 
  • Stabilization and expansion of some critical programs and services: Repay school/community college deferrals; restore cuts to UC; and more.   
  • Maintain COVID-19 response: Increase workplace safety enforcement; provide greater transparency and oversight of all disaster-related funding. 
  • Reopening/economic recovery: Add retraining programs for laid off workers; establish a climate crisis investment plan and infrastructure strategy; modernization of EDD.  
  
Due to a boost in state tax revenue from a healthy stock market and $26 billion from the American Rescue Plan,  California is in its strongest funding situation in recent history. However, in the next three years, the budget does not look nearly as healthy. Consequently, the governor and Legislature are looking to spend the current budget surplus through one-time expenses and increasing the budget reserve.   
 
The Legislature has until June 15 to approve a final spending plan. 
 
UNIVERSAL BASIC INCOME 
One in three Californians lives in poverty or are only one unexpected expense away from homelessness. To address this, the city of Stockton launched a two-year program in 2019 (using philanthropic funding) to give 125 residents $500 per month. The experiment provided a universal basic income (UBI) to spend on essentials. The program was seen as a success and now Los Angeles, Oakland and San Francisco are exploring UBI.    
 
California state lawmakers are also talking UBI. AB 65 (Low, D-Silicon Valley) proposes giving $1,000 monthly payments to Californians earning up to 200% of their county’s area median income. Lawmakers are very interested in having this discussion, but with a price tag of $129 billion annually, having the conversation is about as far as AB 65 is going to go. 
 
On Monday, Assemblymember Marc Levine (D-Marin County) gave AB 65 a courtesy vote in its first public hearing. He joked that he was only voting to advance the bill because he was feeling generous on his birthday. “I’m going to give out a present, which is I’m going to support the bill,” he said with a laugh.   
 
Low concluded: “This is to have a deliberative conversation about the policy and how that factors into helping protect everyday Californians.” 


—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
With over 30 harvests, the G3 Ag Team has deep experience in winegrape hauling. Our operational expertise and agile planning combine to provide responsive service for wineries and grape growers large and small. Click on image or here to view video.
New UCD Study on Health Benefits of Chardonnay Pomace
From UC Davis News: California produces nearly 4 million tons of world-class wine each year, but with that comes thousands of tons of residue like grape skins, seeds, stems and pulp. What if scientists could harness that viticultural waste to help promote human health? In a study published in the journal LWT–Food Science and Technology, UC Davis food scientists discovered a wealth of potentially health-enhancing compounds and sugar molecules called oligosaccharides within chardonnay winegrape pomace. “It’s all about sustainable wine production and finding a second life for winegrapes,” Daniela Barile said.
 
Photo: UC Davis
U.S. Senate Ag Committee Advances Growing Climate Solutions Act
The Senate Ag Committee on April 22 unanimously approved the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act (S.1251). The bill authorizes the secretary of agriculture to develop a program to reduce barriers to entry for farmers, ranchers and private forest landowners in certain voluntary markets. The bill also establishes a greenhouse gas technical assistance provider and third-party verifier certification program to help private landowners generate carbon credits through various agriculture and forestry practices. The bill has 42 co-sponsors and will now be considered by the full Senate.
Census: CA Losing One Congressional Seat for First Time
According to 2020 census results released this week, California will lose one congressional seat for the first time in state history – from 53 to 52 – due to slowing population growth. The census determines how the 435 House of Representatives seats are allocated among the 50 states. The change in seats will result in some redistricting by the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission. Census data also helps determine how billions of dollars in funding are distributed to states and local communities every year for services and infrastructure, including healthcare, jobs, schools, roads and bridges. 
 
California published an executive summary and other reports highlighting its census outreach and communication campaign. The state’s self-response rate was 69.6% or approximately 10.5 million households.
 
NRCS Funds CA Projects to Protect Natural Resources, Support Producers
Four California projects are among the 85 nationwide receiving $330 million from the Natural Resources Conservation Service Regional Conservation Partnership Program. The public-private partnerships address climate change, improve water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat and protect agricultural viability. >VIEW INTERACTIVE MAP
 
Two of the four projects are:
 
Soil Management Systems for Northern CA
Lead partner: Chico State
Funding: $6,995,463
California State University will support California's Healthy Soils Initiative to help orchard/vineyard and other producers implement soil health management systems.
 
Building Fire Resiliency in CA Coast Range
Lead Partner: Rebuild North Bay Foundation
Funding: $4,922,217
The foundation and 14 partners will reduce fuel loads, improve forest and rangeland health, prevent soil erosion and help wildfire damaged areas recover by engaging landowners and producers in seven fire-prone counties.
Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
Tools to Help Navigate the TTB Label Approval Process
CAWG PAC EVENT
A Taste of Monterey — Virtual Wine Tasting Event in Support of CAWG PAC
CAWG PAC – along with our wonderful hosts and sponsors – invite you to this interactive, virtual tasting featuring a discussion on Monterey AVA geology and remarks from winemakers. Local elected officials also plan to participate in this special Taste of Monterey.

WHEN: May 13 / 4-5 p.m.
FEATURED WINERIES: Holman Ranch Estate Vineyard & Winery, Scheid Vineyards, Puma Road Winery
SPECIAL GUEST: Brenna Quigley
SPONSORS: Bennett & Bennett Irrigation Systems, Coastal Vineyard Care Associates, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Sunridge Nurseries, Vista Verde Labor

WATER
Dodd's Water Project Streamline Bill Advances in State Senate
A water resources improvement bill (SB 626) from Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) this week passed the Natural Resources and Water committee on a 9-0 vote. According to Dodd’s press release, the legislation would “expedite improvements to the state’s outdated central water delivery system” and “authorize the [Department of Water Resources] to streamline the contractor selection process to get the most qualified experts at the lowest cost.”
$26M to Fund Overdrafted Groundwater Basins
To provide assistance for successful implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Department of Water Resources recently awarded $26 million in grant funding for capital project investments. The projects aim to improve water supply security, water quality and the reliability of domestic wells. A second round of grants is expected to begin in spring 2022 and will offer approximately $70 million in funding.
 
Bipartisan Water Resources Research Amendments Act Introduced
U.S. Reps. Josh Harder (D-Modesto), Grace Napolitano (D-Norwalk) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) last week introduced the bipartisan Water Resources Research Amendments Act. The bill would reauthorize an expired program that supports water research institutes – in collaboration with universities, local governments, water industry and the public – that solve water quantity and quality problems. A bipartisan partner bill (S. 1341) was introduced in the Senate by Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) and Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.). Both bills will reauthorize and update the program, providing millions in funding through 2024.
Articles, Statements Following Newsom's Drought Declaration
COVID-19
COVID-19 Resources and Articles
COVID19.CA.GOV

>COUNTY DATA AS OF APRIL 29:
Substantial/red = 13 (April 22 = 17)
Moderate/orange = 41 (April 22 = 38)
Minimal/yellow = 4 (April 22 = 3)

CDPH

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CDC press release, April 27

April 27
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