YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
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CAWG Foundation Awards $31,500 in Student Scholarships
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The CAWG Foundation has awarded $31,500 in college scholarships to eight students. The scholarships are awarded annually to students whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. “This year’s scholarship recipients are extraordinary students who show that hard work and perseverance can lead to remarkable achievements,” said Steve Heringer, chair of the CAWG Foundation board of directors. “Their dedication to learning, leading, volunteering and being involved is inspiring. The CAWG Foundation is honored to be a part of helping them achieve their educational goals. Without a doubt, they will all continue to make a positive impact in their future academic and community endeavors.”
Thank you to CAWG members and the California wine community for your generous donations to CAWG Foundation scholarship funds.
Four-Year University Scholarship Recipients
$8,000 each
- Maricarmen Frias Prieto, Salinas, Everett Alvarez High School
- Fernando Hernandez, Lamont, Mira Monte High School
- Trevor Kammerer, Fresno, Clovis North High School
Four-Year University Scholarship Recipient
$2,000 each
- Paola Martinez, Soledad, Soledad High School
- Gissell Mendez, Napa, Vintage High School
Two-Year Community College Scholarship Recipient
$2,000
- Yareli Bolanos Suarez, Bakersfield, East Bakersfield High School
Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipient
$1,000
- Martin Koch, San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo High School
Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship Recipient
$500
- Arianna Cardenas-Romero, Santa Maria, Pioneer Valley High School
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Increased Concern with Mystery Vine Collapse in Lodi, Other Regions
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Mystery vine collapse was a topic at the Lodi Grape Day in February and the Lodi IPM Network meeting in June. According to a
July 10 article in Western Farm Press
, it’s a complex condition that has been around for several years, but is now getting more attention after about 20 Lodi growers reported its appearance. Other discoveries have been reported in Delta, Monterey and Central Valley locations. “Its geographic reach is changing, so it’s hard to know where it’s headed, but now that the problem has entered the collective consciousness, we’ll be keeping an eye out…as we learn what it is, how it operates, and come up with a solution to eradicate it,” Neil McRoberts, western region director of the National Plant Diagnostic Network, said in the article. A March 2019
interim progress report
from the Lodi Winegrape Commission provides more information about the issue.
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Government Relations Report
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LOCAL TAX CASE HEADED TO SUPREME COURT
Proposition 13, passed by voters in 1978, provided that local government taxes designated for specific purposes require two-thirds approval by voters.
Two years ago, the state Supreme Court seemingly identified a loophole in Prop 13. It ruled that if special purpose tax measures are placed on the ballot by initiative petition, rather than by the local governments themselves, the two-thirds vote threshold could be reduced to majority vote.
Last year, San Francisco voters passed two such measures. A new tax on commercial rents to finance early childhood education and childcare services, received 51 percent voter support. The second new tax on businesses to finance services and housing for the homeless, earned 61 percent voter support.
With both votes below two-thirds, opponents sued, contending that they were invalid. Last week, the San Francisco Superior Court upheld both taxes. However, business and anti-tax groups, including the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association, vowed “an immediate appeal” and the issue is headed to the state Supreme Court.
In 2018, voters in almost every county considered various ballot measures to increase or create new local taxes. Many of those measures were approved by votes well over the two-thirds threshold, because, in those cases, the city councils or boards of supervisors worked things out in advance and responded to voter concerns. However, a Supreme Court ruling on this issue could completely change the dynamics of local tax battles, with financial stakes astronomically high in the outcome.
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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New Acting DPR Director Talks Future of the Agency
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In an
interview with Western Farm Press
, Val Dolcini talks about his dual role in the California Environmental Protection Agency, where he serves as the deputy secretary for agriculture and as the acting director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). He touches on DPR’s priorities and future, chlorpyrifos and other crop protection products, climate change initiatives, and the role of UC Cooperative Extension.
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Senate Ag Committee Hearing on Ag Research, Farm Bill
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DMV Closing for Half Day on July 24 for REAL ID Training
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The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will
close its offices statewide
from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 24 to train employees on the federally-mandated
REAL ID program
. “It is a complicated transaction and we want customers to be well prepared in order to receive their REAL ID efficiently,” a DMV spokesperson said. Reminder: Beginning Oct. 1, 2020, the federal government will require passengers flying within the U.S. to present a REAL ID-compliant driver license or ID card – or a passport or passport card – before boarding a plane.
Make an appointment now
to avoid the future rush.
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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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IF YOU ARE
INTERESTED IN SPONSORING
CAWG eNEWS,
CALL 916-379-8995.
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Op-Ed: California Needs Sites Reservoir
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In a
guest commentary for CALmatters
, Fritz Durst and Douglas Headrick stress that Calfornia’s aging water supply system desperately needs to be modernized – and the Sites Reservoir project is part of the solution. Durst is a sixth-generation farmer and chair of the Sites Joint Powers Agreement board of directors. Headrick is the general manager of the San Bernardino Valley Municipal Water District. “If Sites Reservoir had been operational this year, California would have been able to capture more than 1 million acre-feet of additional water,” they wrote. “Each year we delay in building Sites Reservoir we lose an opportunity to increase the value of storm-related water and excess flood flows for multiple benefits, including the environment.”
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Farm Labor Contractor Seminars
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The California Farm Labor Contractor Association provides required and constantly updated compliance and best practices information through its FLC nine-hour seminars. The programs are approved by the Department of Labor Standards Enforcement to fulfill the requirement of nine hours of continuing education for FLC licensing and renewal. Upcoming dates and locations are July 17, Indio; Aug. 14, Santa Maria; Sept. 11, Stockton; Oct. 24, Napa; Nov. 19, Lemoore; Dec. 4, Salinas.
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Farm Labor Contractor Licensing Workshops
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The Labor Commissioner’s Office offers
free workshops
to assist current or prospective FLCs. Consultants are available for one-on-one review of first-time licensing or renewal applications. Reservations are required. Call 559-248-1894 or email
FLC@dir.ca.gov
to reserve time on a kiosk to complete the online application.
FRESNO
Each Friday / 9-11 a.m.
Labor Commissioner’s Office, 770 E. Shaw Ave., #222
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Solano County: Winegrapes Jump 44 Percent in Value, Take No. 5 Spot
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The value of winegrapes increased 44 percent, thanks to higher yields and market value. The crop moved up two spots to rank as the No. 5 crop. The total value of Solano County winegrapes in 2018 was $29.4 million, up from $20.4 million in 2017. Statistics for red varieties were 11,460 tons and $17.2 million value (up 37 percent). Statistics for white varieties were 12,510 tons and $12.2 million (up 57 percent).
SLO County: Record High for No. 1 Winegrapes
The total winegrape value hit a record high $276 million, an increase of 3 percent over 2017’s $267.7 million. There was an 8 percent increase in grape production. The top three varieties by value were: cabernet sauvignon (18,394 harvested acres; 84,741 tons; $129.7 million total value), chardonnay (3,326 harvested acres; 15,313 tons; $22.9 million), and pinot noir (2,469 harvested acres; 6,728 tons; $19.3 million).
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July issue
The $3.3 million, 150-acre property in Mendocino County is on the market.
Wine Searcher, July 10
ABC News 10, July 9
Kristen Barnhisel, winemaker for white wines at J. Lohr Vineyards & Wines (CAWG member), has been named 2019-2020 president of the American Society for Enology and Viticulture.
Press release, July 8
Purdue University news, July 8
July 2
Growing Produce, July 2
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Public Policy Institute of California, July 8
Press release, June 28
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CSWA: Sustainable Winegrowing Field Day in Santa Rosa
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WHEN: July 26 / 7 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
WHERE: Sonoma County Winegrape Commission, 3245 Guernville Road, Santa Rosa
Mechanization & Precision Management
Dr. Luca Brillante, Fresno State University
Dr. Qun (Kristy) Sun, Fresno State University
Anita Oberholster, UC Davis
Regulatory Update
Michael Miiller, CAWG
John Segale, Precision Public Relations.
Herman G. Hernandez, PG&E public affairs
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18-19 Fermentation Readiness: Harvest Decisions from Vineyard to Winery
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WHEN: July 29 / 9 a.m. to 2:10 p.m.
WHERE: The Robert Mondavi Institute Sensory Theater, 392 Old Davis Road, Davis
COST: $175
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Free session at the UC Kearney Ag Research and Extension Center in Parlier.
WHEN: Aug. 14 / 7:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
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November 7
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Modesto
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