YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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California Lifts Workplace Mask Mandate for Most Employers |
In an announcement on Monday, Feb 28, Governor Newsom lifted the requirement, effective immediately, for most employers that unvaccinated employees working indoors must wear a mask. The governor’s executive order followed an earlier announcement yesterday that children in schools would no longer be required to wear masks.
Previously, by executive order, the California Department of Public Health required “For all employees who are not fully vaccinated, employers shall provide face coverings and ensure they are worn when indoors or in vehicles.” However, the revised guidance on masking requirements for employees do remain in effect for certain indoor employment settings considered to be high risk: K-12 schools and childcare, public transit, emergency shelters, healthcare settings, correctional institutions, homeless shelters and long-term care facilities.
Other face covering requirements applicable to employers that remain in effect include but are not limited to the following:
- Employers shall provide face coverings and ensure they are worn by employees when required by orders from the California Department of Public Health (such as in the previous workplace settings listed above).
- No employer shall prevent any employee from wearing a face covering when not required, unless it would create a safety hazard, such as interfering with the safe operation of equipment.
- Employers shall provide face coverings to employees upon request, regardless of vaccination status.
Newsom also announced that he has extended the current Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) through May 5, 2022. The Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board was on track to readopt the ETS at its upcoming March board meeting keeping it in place through the end of the year. The governor’s announcement will give the Board an additional month to review the new guidance before it amends and readopts the ETS at its board meeting in April.
Growers are advised to consult with your human resource professionals to determine how this change may apply to your specific workplace and employees.
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President's State of the Union Address: Anything for Ag? |
Typically, the nation's presidents have spent little time on ag issues in their annual State of the Union addresses. President Biden's speech on March 1 delivered a few nuggets for ag.
President Biden discussed the need to provide affordable high-speed internet for every American—urban, suburban, rural, and tribal communities. Noting that 4,000 projects had already been announced. The $1 trillion infrastructure bill signed into law last year included about $65 billion for building out broadband internet access for rural areas and lower-income communities.
The President also discussed consolidation of ocean carriers that impact the moving of goods in and out of America, which impacts the movement of commodities and food products.
President Biden is keen to begin spending infrastructure funds and he highlighted infrastructure projects that may impact rural economies, specifically efforts to fix over 65,000 miles of highway and 1,500 bridges.
The president also mentioned farmworkers as he discussed the importance of securing the border and fixing the immigration system. Biden discussed providing a pathway to citizenship for Dreamers, those on temporary status, farm workers, and essential workers.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Bush Institute Joins Diverse Coalition to Seek Immigration Reform |
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This week, a diverse group of nearly 30 organizations, including the George W. Bush Institute, joined in announcing a new coalition, the Alliance for a New Immigration Consensus (ANIC). The group is calling for Congress to advance bipartisan legislative solutions on immigration and border security.
The group, consisting of faith and education leaders, the business community and advocates, is working to build support for bipartisan legislative solutions that would provide permanent legal protections and other reforms for Dreamers and agricultural workers, in addition to orderly, secure and humane processes at our borders.
Members of ANIC sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, requesting congressional action on immigration reforms.
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CAWG Regional Roadshow - REGISTER NOW |
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CAWG is excited to hit the road and reconnect with growers and industry providers in a series of regional meetings throughout the state. This is the perfect opportunity to network, socialize and catch up on CAWG news.
Yesterday CAWG hosted its first roadshow meeting in Sonoma County where growers had the opportunity to hear from guest speaker John Roncoroni, Weed Farm Advisor Emeritus, UC Cooperative Extension. Roncoroni is well known to winegrape growers having spent 38 years as a UC Cooperative Extension advisor specializing in vineyard weed management in Napa County.
If you missed yesterdays event, you still have three more opportunities to hear John speak! Roncroni's presentation will focus on best management practices for weed control in vineyards and how those practices can minimize residues and offsite movement of herbicides. He will talk about utilizing IPM principles to deliver more sustainable weed management in the vineyard. Register Now
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A special THANK YOU to our premier sponsors! |
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· Meeting Dates and Locations · |
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March 15 | Paso Robles
JUSTIN Downtown Tasting Room
811 12th St, Paso Robles
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wine Social
March 16 | Monterey County
Monterey Farm Bureau
1140 Abbott St, Suite C, Salinas
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Lunch Provided
May 12 | Lake County
The Ripe Choice Farm
2550 Soda Bay Rd, Lake Port
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker: John Roncoroni
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May 17 | Madera
The Vineyard Restaurant
605 S I St, Madera
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker: John Roncoroni
June 27 | Lodi
Woodbridge Golf & Country
800 East Woodbridge Rd, Woodbridge
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker John Roncoroni
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Complimentary registration for all CAWG members.
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CAWG Foundation Scholarships - Deadline Tomorrow, March 4 |
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For more than 20 years, the CAWG Foundation has awarded thousands of dollars annually in college scholarships to students whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) are employed by a California winegrape grower.
The four-year scholarships are $8,000 each for students attending a University of California or California State University campus. The two-year scholarships are $2,000 each for students attending a California community college. The Robert Miller Scholarship for Viticulture and Enology is awarded to a Central Coast student who is enrolled or will enroll at Allan Hancock College or Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
The application deadline is March 4, 2022.
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Advertise in CAWG's Annual Supplier Directory! |
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The 2022 Digital Membership Directory provides an opportunity for additional exposure to the winegrape industry.
The annual directory acts as a comprehensive guide to the many vineyard management products and services available to our CAWG growers. This is your chance to be part of this valuable industry reference guide. This digital directory has search capabilities with the option to link your advertisement directly to your website or product page.
This is a MEMBERS ONLY guide, advertisements are not available to non-members.
If you are interested in advertising, please reserve your space by March 31. Artwork due by April 15.
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MARCH
APRIL
26 / Awards of Excellence Reception - Sacramento
MAY
JUNE
27 / CAWG Foundation Golf Tournament - Woodbridge
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