YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Government Relations Report |
AG’S PROACTIVE MESSAGE TO POLICYMAKERS
California farmers have a great story to tell -- so six ag groups are launching a series of ads and public relations activities to increase awareness of how farmers contribute to a better environment, quality habitat for wildlife, economic opportunities, meaningful careers and nutritious food. With California's ag industry continually confronted by an onslaught of legislative and regulatory challenges, the Alliance of California’s Farmers & Ranchers is taking a proactive approach by running video commercials in Sacramento to promote the positives of California agriculture.
CAWG regularly works with the members of the alliance on policy issues and we salute their effort to educate the public and policymakers on the many wonderful contributions gained from California’s dynamic, world-leading ag community.
WILDFIRE PREVENTION FUNDING
Gov. Newsom, Senate President pro Tempore Toni Atkins (D-San Diego) and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon (D-Lakewood) today announced a $536 million funding plan to help improve California’s resilience to wildfires. They released the following statement:
“With California facing another extremely dry year, it is critical that we get a head start on reducing our fire risk. We are doing that by investing more than half a billion dollars on projects and programs that provide improved fire prevention for all parts of California.”
This effort is focused primarily on forest health projects, improvements on defensible space, home hardening against fires, fire prevention grants and prevention workforce training. The plan includes public and private lands vegetation management, community-focused efforts for prevention and resilience, and economic stimulus for the forestry economy.
The funding will be provided in SB 85 and AB 79, which are expected to be amended soon and then sent quickly to the governor for his signature. In the weeks ahead, Newsom and the Legislature may also consider a funding package relative to the drought.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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Recent EGVM Finds Prompt Import Restrictions for Chilean Plums |
This past February, ag inspectors found European grapevine moth (EGVM) larva on fresh plums destined for export to the United States. The EGVM larva were found as part of a pre-clearance inspection program agreement between Chile and the U.S., where produce in Chile is inspected prior to export to the U.S.
As a result of two separate finds of EGVM larva, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) announced new restrictions (see federal order issued on April 1) on plums imported from Chile to prevent the entry or introduction of EGVM to the U.S. According to APHIS staff, plums are not a preferred host for EGVM, so the discovery of the pest on plums indicates the presence of heavy populations of EGVM in Chile. The new restrictions imposed under the pre-clearance agreement will require that Chilean plums be irradiated or fumigated with methyl bromide before export to the U.S.
According to APHIS, EGVM was originally detected in Chile in April 2008 on grapes. Damage caused by the pest can be extensive; some Chilean growers reported losses of up to 70% of their grape crops in 2008. EGVM became established in California in 2009 and was eradicated after seven years and expenditures of more than $100 million.
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Panetta Introduces Bipartisan Preserving Family Farms Act |
Reps. Jimmy Panetta (D-Carmel Valley) and Jackie Walorski (R-Ind.) this week introduced legislation that would help family-owned farms continue operations after a loved one has passed by easing the burden of the estate tax. According to Panetta's press release, the Preserving Family Farms Act of 2021 would modernize the special use valuation provision of the estate tax by increasing the amount of farmland that can be valued for farming operations rather than development value. This would protect family-owned farmland by assessing estate taxes on the actual value of their businesses. Monterey County and California ag leaders were quoted in the press release praising the legislation.
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Helping Bees: CSWA Joins New California Pollinator Coalition |
With pollinator populations declining, CDFA and more than 20 California ag and environmental organizations this week announced the new California Pollinator Coalition. The current members, including the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, have pledged to increase habitat for pollinators on working lands. Their goal is to increase collaboration between ag and conservation groups for the benefit of biodiversity and food production. Additionally, the coalition plans to promote research and track its progress toward healthy and abundant habitats.
CAWG also supports AB 391 (Villapudua), which is a companion measure to provide funding for pollinator habitat conservation.
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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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CDFA Releases Report on Climate Change Solutions Listening Sessions |
CDFA in February held six virtual meetings with farmers and ranchers to get input on ways to sequester carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve biodiversity to help meet California’s climate goals. CDFA this week released a preliminary report from those sessions, which summarizes recommendations from farmers and other stakeholders (see pages 25-37 for perennial crops).
One of the main themes expressed was farmers and ranchers feel burdened by regulations and program requirements. They support voluntary incentives but are concerned that incentives may become regulations. Their recommendations to relieve this burden include reducing and streamlining existing regulations and avoiding new additional regulations to support farmers’ and ranchers’ ability to continue their operations.
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Podcast: Grapevine Shaking for Botrytis Control |
The Vineyard Team’s April 1 podcast features Mark Allen of Allen Vineyard Advisory. In 2008, the oversupply of sauvignon blanc and the financial crisis lead to trialing shaking to remove berries in New Zealand for the first time. A few years later, the New Zealand Winegrowers Society funded a grant to test the impacts of shaking on dropping fruit, wine quality and botrytis. Trials have found that shaking reduces botrytis at harvest by at least 50%, plus the cost is significantly less than dropping fruit. With increased resistance to chemical controls, good wine quality and cost efficiency, shaking shows promise. |
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF MARCH 30
Widespread/purple = 2 (March 30 = 3)
Substantial/red = 22 (March 30 = 36)
Moderate/orange = 32 (March 30 = 17)
Minimal/yellow = 2 (March 30 = 2)
MYTURN.CA.GOV
VACCINE FINDER.ORG
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
Press release, April 8
Press release, April 7
Press release, April 6
Note: It states, "Unless testing or vaccination status is verified for all attendees, conventions will be capped at 5,000 persons until Oct. 1."
CDPH, April 6
Eater, April 6
Modesto Bee, March 19
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Five-Minute Survey on Impacts of Fire and Smoke on CA Wine/Winegrape Industry |
Survey completion time: Five minutes
Deadline: 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.
WILDFIRE-RELATED ARTICLES
The North Bay Business Journal, April 7
Wine Business, April 7
Australia’s Wine Business Magazine, April 7
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Fifty Counties Declared Primary Natural Disaster Areas |
USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack in early March declared 50 of 58 counties as primary natural disaster areas due to drought conditions. In a letter to Gov. Newsom, Vilsack wrote, “According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, these counties suffered from a drought intensity value during the growing season of 1) D2 drought-severe for eight or more consecutive weeks or 2) D3 drought-extreme or D4 drought-exceptional.”
Farmers in eligible counties have eight months from the date of a secretarial disaster declaration to apply for emergency loans; local Farm Service Agency offices can provide more information to farmers.
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West: Droughts Longer, Rainfall More Erratic Over Last Five Decades |
Dry periods between rainstorms have become longer and annual rainfall has become more erratic across most of the western U.S. during the past 50 years, according to a new study published by USDA’s Agricultural Research Service and the University of Arizona.
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CAWG Advocacy Day: Two Weeks Away! |
WHEN: April 21 / 9-11:30 a.m.
Join CAWG members and staff for a valuable and informative morning with key legislators and top regulatory officials. 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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Sustainable Winegrowing Summit: Two Weeks Away! |
WHEN: April 19-21
Registration is complimentary thanks to the generous support of our sponsors.
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Save the Date! CAWG Foundation Golf Tournament |
Our golf tournament is back! We are excited to host our first in-person event since the pandemic started – and for a great cause: raising funds to support CAWG Foundation scholarships. The day will consist of fun and games; a hole-in-one contest; and an awards reception with prizes, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe outdoor event. We hope you will join us on June 10!
>BROCHURE (details, sponsorships, registration)
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PD/GWSS Board Research Screening Committee Meeting
WHEN: Friday, April 9 / 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
PD/GWSS Board and PD Advisory Task Force Meeting
WHEN: Monday, April 19 / 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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ARTICLES/VIDEOS OF INTEREST |
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March issue
USDA Economic Research Service, April
Newsom vetoed SB 68, which would have allowed landfills to continue accepting hundreds of thousands of tons of “treated wood waste.”
Sacramento Bee, April 8
Forbes, April 6
Wine Enthusiast, April 5
Entomology Today, April 1
March 22
Press release, March 8
VIDEOS
CA AgNet, American Vineyard Magazine, March 25
CA AgNet, American Vineyard Magazine, March 25
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APRIL
22 / CAWG PAC Wine Tasting Event - virtual
JUNE
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