YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Webinar: Friday, July 16 / 10 a.m.
Smoke Issues and Grape Contracts
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A LEGAL ANALYSIS: 2020 WINEGRAPE REJECTIONS
CAWG and Allied Grape Growers will discuss the findings of this recent report prepared by Downey Brands LLP. It analyzes various grape transactions in 2020 that resulted in rejections or severe price discounts due to alleged quality problems associated with wildfire smoke.
PRESENTERS
- John Aguirre, CAWG president
- Jeff Bitter, Allied Grape Growers president
- Ashley Boulton, Downey Brand, LLP
- Dale Stern, Downey Brand, LLP
READ THE ANALYSIS AT:
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Please Join Us for One Hour!
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We hope you can take a one-hour break from your busy workday to join CAWG leadership and staff for our annual meeting. We promise you a short, information-packed meeting! We appreciate your participation. |
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Protect Workers from Unhealthy Air Caused by Smoke |
Cal/OSHA is urging employers to be prepared to protect workers from unhealthy air due to wildfire smoke. California’s protection from wildfire smoke standard requires employers to take steps such as changing the location of work operations, modifying work schedules or providing N95 respirators.
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Vintner Insurance Webinar |
WHEN: July 21 / 3 p.m. PT
ABOUT: A virtual roundtable discussion about insurance availability for California vintners.
HOST: California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara
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Office Hours with Dave and Anita: Harvest Readiness in Times of Wildfire |
WHEN: July 27 / 2-3 p.m. PT
ABOUT: Dr. Anita Oberholster will conduct the presentation, then answer questions. This webinar is part of an ongoing series hosted by Oberholster and Dave Block of UC Davis.
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WHEN: Aug. 2 / 2-3:30 p.m. PT
ABOUT: You will learn about the latest issues and developments related to crop insurance coverage in the event of wildfire and smoke-related losses, and how lessons learned from the 2020 crop season will affect crop insurance this year and next.
SPEAKERS: John Aguirre, CAWG; Jeff Yasui and Benjamin Thiel, USDA Risk Management Agency; Kristine Fox, Pan American Insurance Services; Erika Ledbetter, NAU Country; and George Harris, Northwest Farm Credit Services.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Data on COVID-19 Workplace Cases |
Following the hearing the San Francisco Chronicle reported, “In the past 30 days, workplace outbreaks have climbed to more than 331, board members heard Tuesday during a subcommittee meeting on COVID-19 workplace rules. Board members said they worried that their decision to loosen workplace safety measures last month was partly responsible for the increase in outbreaks.”
CAWG staff testified at the hearing and asked the board to gather data on the numbers of COVID-19 cases where the employee contracted COVID-19 at work. As COVID-19 is a community spread virus, and the scope of the board is limited to workplace safety, it is essential that any data considered by the board be focused on those cases where COVID-19 was actually contracted at work.
This is important because these hearings are part of an ongoing discussion of whether there should be a permanent standard in place to deal with a future pandemic. As a permanent standard could take a variety of approaches, it is critical that such a standard be based on relevant workplace data and measurable protections for workers.
—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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Government Relations Report |
BROWN SOUNDS ALARM ON STATE BUDGET
In 2008, when Jerry Brown was elected as California’s 39th governor, he inherited a state budget that was dripping in red ink. He almost immediately cut spending and put in place a rainy day fund, helping to create a balanced and sustainable budget.
Looking at the current budget, Brown has predicted “fiscal stress” for state government within the next two years. Brown said the state’s spending plan “is not sustainable” due to dire economic projections and a one-time windfall of federal funding. Figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Labor Department reinforce Brown’s concerns. The Consumer Price Index, a key indicator of inflation, jumped 5.4%, making it the biggest rise since 2008.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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New AVA Proposed in Stanislaus County |
Paulsell Valley – northeast of Modesto, south of Knights Ferry – is on track to be a new American viticultural area in California. The TTB on July 15 published a proposed rule in the Federal Register for the establishment of the approximately 34,155-acre AVA in Stanislaus County. It is not within any existing AVA. The proposal is in response to a petition from Patrick Shabram on behalf of Rock Ridge Ranch. Comments on the proposal must be received by Sept. 13, 2021.
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Applications Open for Specialty Crop Block Grants — One-Time Funding
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CDFA is accepting proposals for the 2021 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP) under H.R. 133 Stimulus Funding. In addition to the regular SCBGP funding, Congress is awarding additional one-time SCBGP funding due to the COVID-19 impacts on food and agriculture. According to CDFA, up to $10 million will be awarded to projects, with grants ranging from $250,000 to $1 million. The deadline to submit proposals is Aug. 8.
WEBINARS
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New Spotted Lanternfly Resources |
CDFA and the PD/GWSS Board have posted new resources – please share within your company or organization.
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Nomination Hearing for CDFA's Jenny Lester Moffitt |
The U.S. Senate Ag Committee today held the nomination hearing for CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt for USDA under secretary for marketing and regulatory programs. Her introduction by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, committee chair, begins at 00:24:50 on the video. 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. Moffitt also worked for American Farmland Trust and graduated from the California Ag Leadership Program.
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Podcast: How Deficit Irrigation Impacts Soil Quality |
The Vineyard Team's July 15 podcast features Joan Davenport, Washington State University emeritus professor of soil sciences. She talks about her research project to compare soil quality between Washington vineyards irrigated with snow melt (surface water) versus ground water (water from wells).
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UCD Receives $6M for Pesticide Safety Outreach and Resources |
The Pesticide Educational Resource Collaborative (PERC) is a cooperative agreement between U.S. EPA’s Office of Pesticide Programs and UCD Extension, in collaboration with Oregon State University. PERC develops materials and projects that promote safe pesticide use and help prevent pesticide exposure to applicators and handlers, workers and their families. EPA recently awarded UC Davis $6 million over a five-year period to fund PERC 2.0, the second phase of the program.
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CAWG AWARDS OF EXCELLENCE |
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The CAWG Awards of Excellence Program spotlights exceptional individuals or families who have benefited the broader community of winegrape growers through exemplary leadership and outstanding commitment to the well-being of the winegrowing industry, California communities and the environment. Please take the time to nominate candidates you believe have made an impact on the winegrape industry. Thank you! Nominations due Sept. 10.
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WINE & AGRICULTURE
July issues
Ag Net West, July 14
Interview with Steven Mirassou about cabernet franc.
NBC Bay Area, July 12
GOVERNMENT
Press release, July 14
Ag Alert, July 14
Press release, July 12
WATER
ACWA press release, July 14
DWR press release, July 14
New York Times, June 28
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JULY
16 / Smoke Issues and Grape Contracts Webinar — register
21 / CAWG Annual Meeting (virtual) — register
AUGUST
2 / West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force: Crop Insurance Webinar — register
SEPTEMBER
10 / Nominations due for CAWG Grower & Leader of the Year — details
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