YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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New COVID-19 Workplace Standards As of June 17 |
In the weeks prior to today, the Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board struggled to develop a revised emergency standard consistent with federal guidance developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Gov. Newsom’s planned reopening of the California economy. Today, the board readopted COVID-19 prevention emergency temporary standards (ETS), which take effect immediately. The newly readopted ETS represents an improvement over the original ETS, lessening the burden on employers whose workers are fully vaccinated.
Highlighted changes:
- No physical distancing requirements in employer-provided housing and transportation.
- Where all employees are vaccinated, employer-provided housing and transportation are exempt from those regulations.
- Fully vaccinated asymptomatic employees do not need to be tested or quarantined after close contact with COVID-19 cases.
- No face covering requirements outdoors, regardless of vaccination status.
- Fully vaccinated employees are not required to wear face coverings indoors, but the employer must document vaccination status (which may be through self-attestation).
- Upon request by unvaccinated employees, employers are obligated to provide N-95 respirators for voluntary use to those employees who are unvaccinated and who are working indoors or in vehicles with more than one person.
- Employers may not retaliate against employees who choose to wear face coverings.
- Employers must evaluate ventilation systems to maximize outdoor air and increase filtrations efficiency.
The following requirements remain in place:
- Written COVID-19 prevention program.
- Training and instruction to employees.
- Some requirements for housing and transportation.
- Notification of outbreaks to public health departments.
- Notification to employees of exposure and close contacts.
- Responding to COVID-19 cases and outbreaks.
- Testing after potential exposures in some cases.
- Quarantine and exclusion pay requirements in some cases.
The latest news and resources:
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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Webinar: California Moves Closer to Final Amendments to COVID-19 Workplace Safety Rules
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WHEN: Friday, June 18 / 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. PDT
ABOUT: Employers monitoring proposed changes to Cal/OSHA’s ETS in recent weeks likely have whiplash from trying to keep up with the back-and-forth slew of developments. However, it appears we are close to final resolution. Join Fisher Phillips attorneys Ben Ebbink and Hannah Sweiss to learn more about the latest developments.
This event has been approved for 1 hour of HRCI/SHRM credit.
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California Has Fully Reopened |
REOPENING HIGHLIGHTS
- What’s open: California is fully reopen, with no capacity limits and no distancing required by the state.
- Masking: If you’re vaccinated, masks are not required in MOST places. Mask up until you are.
- Color tier system: No more county color tiers!
Links for safely reopening, Vax for the Win, business and employers, vaccines, masks, education and more.
ARTICLES
Capital Public Radio, June 15
June 14, 11 Alive
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More Funds Via Pandemic Assistance Program |
To help food, agriculture and forestry sectors “get back on track,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack this week announced additional aid to ag producers and businesses as part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Since March, the agency has announced approximately $6.8 billion in assistance through several programs, including $6.3 billion to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) and $170 million to the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
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USDA Begins Natural Disaster Payments to Ag Producers |
Over the next several weeks, USDA will release more than $1 billion in payments for ag producers with approved applications for two disaster assistance programs:
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Quality Loss Adjustment (QLA) Program: Provides assistance to crop and forage producers who suffered a quality loss due to qualifying natural disasters in 2018 or 2019. Applications were accepted from Jan. 6 to April 9, 2021.
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Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+): Provides payments to producers to offset production losses due to wildfires and other qualifying natural disasters occurring in 2018 and 2019. WHIP+ covered losses of vines, crops, trees and bushes caused by those disaster events.
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Are You Prepared for the Heat? Check Out These Helpful Resources |
With extreme heat hitting many regions of California this week, CAWG has compiled a list of resources (videos, websites, materials, etc.).
>JUNE 17 ALERT: Amid extreme heat wave stressing energy grids across western U.S., Gov. Newsom acts to increase energy capacity
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Government Relations Report |
NEW UCANR FUNDING IN THE STATE BUDGET
The California Legislature this week approved the 2021-2022 state budget and sent it to Gov. Newsom for his consideration. The budget includes restoration of vitally needed funding for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UCANR). This funding includes more than $32 million from the general fund in new funding. The money will be provided on an ongoing basis as the funding was achieved through a UCANR line item in the budget.
In the last two decades, UCANR’s budget has been cut in half. As such, funding for critical positions such as viticulture advisors has suffered. Since 1990, California has lost more than 55% of those specialist positions. To address this, it is anticipated that UCANR will expend $21 million on UC Cooperative Extension positions (relatively 120 advisors and specialists), $9 million on programmatic support (such as 4-H community educators, REC’s lab and research assistants) and $2.6 million on business operations.
CAWG was part of an ag coalition – led by the California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) – that successfully pushed for this funding increase. Sen. John Laird (D-Santa Cruz), chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee, led the efforts in the Legislature. CAWG is extremely grateful to CFBF staff, Sen. Laird and especially the wine industry associations that participated in this effort.
—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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Palos Verdes Peninsula is California's Newest AVA — Cheers!
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Effective June 19, the approximately 15,900-acre Palos Verdes Peninsula AVA will be established. Located in the southwestern coastal region of Los Angeles County, the AVA does not lie within, or contain, any other viticultural area. See Docket No. TTB–2020–0003 for documents and public comments related to this rulemaking.
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Have You Filed Your Crop Acreage Report? |
If you want to participate in many USDA programs – including crop insurance, safety net and disaster assistance programs – you must file timely acreage reports to remain eligible for program benefits. If you have not completed your crop acreage report, USDA Farm Services Agency (FSA) is asking growers to file as soon as possible. July 15 is the reporting deadline for most crops, but it varies by county, so growers need to contact their FSA county office.
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Podcast: How to Develop a New Vineyard Site |
The Vineyard Team’s June 17 podcast features Steve Vierra, director of vineyard operation at Derby Wine Estates and a certified professional soil scientist, who has developed many vineyards since the 1990s. The podcast includes a deep dive into all aspects of the prospective vineyard, including climate, rainfall, aspect, slope, rootstock, soil types and best varieties to create a self-sustaining vine.
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FPS Director Dr. Deborah Golino to Retire July 1 |
Foundation Plant Services (FPS) Director and UC Cooperative Extension specialist Dr. Deborah Golino will retire on July 1 after serving as director for the past 27 years. FPS was established in 1958 to distribute virus-tested, professionally identified grape, fruit and nut tree propagation stock. Under Golino’s leadership, FPS and its programs have grown considerably. Among her many accomplishments, she revived the grape importation program that was dormant for several years. Read the full article on the FPS website.
CAWG appreciates Dr. Golino’s years of dedication and significant contributions to the winegrape industry and wishes her the best in retirement and future endeavors.
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Economic Impact Study: Proposed Tax Changes Would Raise Taxes for Farms |
A new study analyzing the economic impacts of the tax provisions of two Senate bills found that they would have a devastating impact on families that own and operate farms and ranches. The study – by the Agricultural and Food Policy Center at Texas A&M University – looked at the Sensible Taxation and Equity Promotion (STEP) Act, which would eliminate stepped-up basis upon death of the owner, and the For the 99.5 Percent Act, which would decrease the estate tax exemption.
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WATER
Radio interview with CFBF President Jamie Johansson.
KFBK, June 17
CalMatters, June 16
AP News, June 16
CalMatters, May 24
OTHER
June
Spring issue
Wine Institute and Wine America are among the 50 members of the coalition.
June 17
June 17
CalMatters, June 14
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CAWG FOUNDATION GOLF TOURNAMENT |
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Thank you again to our generous sponsors! Click here to view larger images of the posters.
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Taste of California: Specialty Crop Showcase & Virtual Buyers Meetings
HOSTS: CDFA and partner groups. Funded by the 2018 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.
ABOUT: This showcase is a virtual trade show designed to assist California specialty crop producers, large and small, connect with international food and ag industry executives throughout the world. Virtual buyer meetings in July and August are with United Kingdom, Australia, Hong Kong and India.
ASEV-NGRA Precision Viticulture Symposium
WHEN: June 21 / 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
ABOUT: This symposium convenes precision viticulture experts, as well as growers applying precision technology. Segments: Keynote presentations, vine management, pests and diseases, crop estimation and other tools, and early adopters.
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JULY
21 / CAWG Annual Meeting (virtual)
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