YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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There's Still Time to Register! |
WHEN: Wednesday, April 21 / 9-11:30 a.m.
We are excited to host our first virtual CAWG Advocacy Day. Join CAWG members and staff for a valuable and informative morning with key legislators and regulators. This is a great opportunity to hear about priority bills and issues facing the industry, and to find out how you can take action. Complimentary registration for all CAWG members!
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Specialty Crop Block Grant Program Receives $170M in Funding |
Through USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative launched in March, the agency this week announced the availability of more than $330 million to help ag producers and organizations in the food supply chain recover from the financial impacts of the pandemic. The funding provides nearly $170 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) to fund innovative projects to support the expanding specialty crop food sector and explore new market opportunities for food and ag products. That total amount includes $72.9 million in annual farm bill funding for SCBGP, plus an additional $97 million provided by Congress in the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2021 due to COVID-19 impacts to the food system. Numerous vineyard and wine-related projects have benefitted from SCBGP grants.
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Government Relations Report |
CAL/OSHA CHIEF HEADS TO BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
Doug Parker has been appointed to head the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Parker currently serves as chief of California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA).
At Cal/OSHA, Parker was the lead in the recent adoption of the emergency temporary standards (ETS) for prevention of COVID-19 in the workplace. Gov. Newsom will not appoint Parker’s replacement until the federal appointment is confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Consequently, this departure presents challenges in amending the ETS to recognize the ongoing vaccination of employees and the protections those vaccines provide.
Additionally, CAWG associate member Fisher Phillips reports, “Given the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is still ongoing, and the Biden administration’s push for a federal emergency temporary standard to address the pandemic, Parker’s first focus will likely be addressing these issues.”
Parker is the second high-ranking California public labor regulator to be nominated for a top labor position in the Biden administration. In February, Julie Su, California’s current labor secretary, was nominated to be deputy labor secretary. In the weeks and months ahead, we can reasonably expect additional members of the Newsom administration to make a career move to D.C.
UNDERSERVED AND SMALL PRODUCER GRANT PROGRAM
This program has two components; applicants can apply for one or both:
- Technical Assistance for Underserved Farmers and Ranchers.
- Direct Grant Assistance for Underserved Farmers and Ranchers
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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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.
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Napa County Pest Update: Vine Mealybug |
During drought years, Napa County often has high VMB populations, putting Napa vineyards at increased risk for crop damage and pest spread. UCCE reports all life stages of VMB were present in Carneros (chardonnay). UCCE advises to respond accordingly by scheduling early interventions to reduce populations.
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Podcast: What? Bury Charcoal in the Vineyard? |
The Vineyard Team’s April 15 podcast features Doug Beck of Monterey Pacific, who recently conducted a four-year trial to test the impacts of biochar and compost as soil amendments on winegrape growth, water use, yield and water quality. The trial showed the addition of biochar and compost to the soil improves nutrient efficiency, improves water holding capacity and positively impacted yields.
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Wanted: PD/GWSS Board Research Coordinator |
CDFA is seeking a research coordinator to monitor, guide, facilitate and maintain progress with the PD/GWSS research funding program.
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American Jobs Plan: California Fact Sheet |
As part of the American Jobs Plan proposed by President Biden, the White House recently released state-by-state fact sheets highlighting the need for action for infrastructure in each state. The fact sheets focus on roads and bridges, public transportation, resilient infrastructure, drinking water, housing, broadband, clean energy jobs and more. According to the California fact sheet, infrastructure in the state “has suffered from a systemic lack of investment.” The state received a C- on its infrastructure report card.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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The April issue was emailed to members yesterday. You can access the digital copy here.
If your company is interested in placing an ad in an upcoming issue, please contact Natalie Collins at natalie@cawg.org.
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Five-Minute Survey on Impacts of Fire and Smoke on CA Wine/Winegrape Industry |
Survey completion time: Five minutes
Deadline: Friday, April 16
Respondents: Winegrape growers, operators or employees of a vineyard management company, or producers of wine for commercial sale (with type 2 ABC winegrower license).
Conducted by: Researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service, USDA California Climate Hub and Farm Foundation’s Young Agri-Food Leaders Network.
Details: The purpose of this survey/project is to help winegrape producers and the ag industry adapt to the impacts of wildfires, and to inform better allocation of resources and support tied directly to the industry's needs. Results will be published as a peer-reviewed paper and shared with decision makers and other stakeholders, including CDFA, USDA and industry organizations.
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Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State |
San José State University in fall 2020 established the largest academic Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC) in the U.S. with five faculty members and millions of dollars in new technology. The center’s purpose is to serve as the leading institution in California, providing modern, state-of-knowledge on wildfire science and management. The new technologies aim to strengthen the prediction, monitoring and management of wildfires throughout the state.
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PG&E is hosting 90-minute wildfire safety webinars from April through July for those interested in learning more about its Community Wildfire Safety Program. The virtual events allow participants to learn more about wildfire safety and emergency preparedness, meet with PG&E reps, ask questions and share feedback. View the webinar schedule to see when a webinar will be held for your county.
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CA Congressional Delegation Asks Newsom for Emergency Declaration Due to Drought |
The entire California Republican delegation today sent a letter to Gov. Newsom urgently requesting a statewide declaration of emergency due to the severe drought conditions. Last month, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack designated 50 counties as primary disaster areas due to the drought; the lawmakers state that while this action is helpful, more needs to be done on the state level to assist farmers and communities that are negatively impacted.
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SoCal Water Agency Votes to Spend $44M for NorCal Water |
The board of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California this week voted to explore purchasing supplies on the water market – and is willing to pay a lot of money. The board decision authorizes its staff to purchase up to 65,000 acre-feet of water from water agencies north of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta. Metropolitan is willing to pay up to $675 for an acre-foot. While Metropolitan says it has enough water from its diverse sources and in storage to serve the region’s needs this year, purchasing transfer supplies will help the agency strategically manage future risk if dry conditions continue into 2022.
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Report: Droughts in California |
The Public Policy Institute of California has published a two-page fact sheet on droughts in California. The section on agriculture states, “Many farmers rely on groundwater to get them through droughts, but historical over-pumping has depleted these supplies. State law now requires sustainable management of groundwater over time. While increasing surface supplies and groundwater recharge will help, achieving sustainability will require reductions in demand, principally through land fallowing. Achieving sustainability may require permanent fallowing of more than 500,000 acres of farmland. Growing drought intensity increases demand for groundwater and reduces recharge opportunities, making it more difficult to bring groundwater basins into balance.”
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF APRIL 15
Widespread/purple = 0 (April 8 = 2)
Substantial/red = 22 (April 8 = 22)
Moderate/orange = 33 (April 8 = 32)
Minimal/yellow = 3 (April 8 = 2)
MYTURN.CA.GOV
VACCINE FINDER.ORG
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
Capital Public Radio, April 13
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WHEN: April 19-21
Registration is complimentary thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
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PD/GWSS Board and PD Advisory Task Force Meeting |
WHEN: Monday, April 19 / 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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EDWGGA Virtual Grower Meeting |
Powdery Mildew and Early Season Management
WHEN: April 21 / 6:30 p.m.
SPEAKER: Lynn Wunderlich, UCCE, Central Sierra farm advisor
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Sonoma County Winegrowers/Vintners Earth Day Webinar |
CAWG members are among the panelists for this hourlong discussion on the importance of sustainability, operating a sustainable vineyard and Sonoma County’s leadership in sustainable practices.
WHEN: April 22 / 11 a.m.
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April issue
April issue
April 15 issue
Hearing will livestream on April 22 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
North Bay Business Journal, April 14
North Bay Business Journal, April 13
Governor’s office, April 9
Governor’s office, April 8
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