YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
|
Surveys and Recorded Sessions |
Before Feb. 26, please take a few minutes to complete the surveys, which are important for future planning.
If you were not able to attend the virtual Unified Symposium or missed some of the sessions, you can continue to log in through Feb. 12 to access on-demand sessions and visit virtual booths to review products and services. You can also request meetings with exhibitors.
SAVE THE DATES FOR 2022 UNIFIED
Jan. 25-27 at the Safe Credit Union Convention Center (formerly Sacramento Convention Center).
|
|
|
Report: Continued Growth of Sustainable Winegrowing |
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) this week released the following publications:
“The report provides statistics and demonstrates progress in adoption of sustainable practices by a growing number of certified vineyards and wineries over the past year,” CSWA Executive Director Allison Jordan said. As of December 2020, 171 wineries producing 80% of California’s total wine production (255 million cases) and 2,247 vineyards farming 32% of California winegrape acreage (204,122 acres) are Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.
“CSWA considers the code a ‘living document’ that is regularly updated to reflect the latest sustainability best practices,” Jordan said.
|
|
|
Grape Crush Prelim Report Scheduled for Release on Wednesday, Feb. 10 |
CAWG will send an email after the report is released at 12 p.m. PST.
|
|
|
Government Relations Report |
HERO PAY
Several months ago, California legislators were kicking around the concept of mandatory supplemental hazard pay for ag employees during the pandemic. The mandate did not advance, as CAWG and other ag groups argued that ag employers were already burdened with significant cost increases due to the pandemic and simply did not have the ability to absorb the additional costs of hazard pay.
Some California cities and counties are now requiring, or may soon require, an additional hourly wage supplement for those employees. This new mandate is called “hero pay.” The city of Long Beach recently approved a new requirement that essential workers receive an additional $4 per hour of hero pay. Citing the mandate as the reason, Kroger (parent company of Ralphs and Food 4 Less) on Monday announced it will close two of its Long Beach stores.
While there is currently no formal proposal, the Newsom administration and the California Legislature are considering a statewide hero pay mandate. It is unclear what jobs may be covered by such a requirement, but it is likely ag employees would be included. CAWG and other ag groups remain intently focused on this issue.
DISPOSING OF PRESSURE TREATED WOOD
Gov. Newsom last year vetoed SB 68 (Galgiani, D-Stockton), which would have allowed for continued disposal of treated wood waste (TWW) under a program of the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). This veto created an immediate problem for growers needing to safely dispose of TWW.
DTSC this week released new information about how it will consider TWW variances. DTSC will be accepting applications for a variance beginning Feb. 16. This is a temporary solution involving a six-step application process.
While the variance process proposes a much-needed Band-Aid, CAWG is working with industry partners in moving AB 332 through the Legislature to allow a permanent solution for safe disposal of TWW. Stay tuned.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
|
|
|
 |
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.
|
|
|
|
At the Jan. 29 meeting, the PD/GWSS board chose to stay with the existing slate of officers for another year.
- Chair: Domonic Rossini, Fratello Farming
- Vice chair: William Drayton, Treasury Wine Estates
- Treasurer: Randy Heinzen, Vineyard Professional Services
- New member: Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, Yount Mill Vineyards/Napa Wine Company
- Departing members: Keith Horn, Constellation Brands, and Pam Bond, Swanson Vineyards
|
|
|
2021 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards |
Applications will be accepted until April 2 for the 2021 California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards – now in its seventh year. California vineyards and wineries that participate in a sustainability program can apply in four categories that recognize outstanding achievement: Environment Award, Community Award, Business Award and Sustainable Winegrowing Leader Award. The awards are presented by CAWG, California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners, Sonoma County Winegrowers and The Vineyard Team.
|
|
|
|
Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
|
|
|
DREAM Act of 2021 Introduced |
U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) today introduced the DREAM Act of 2021. Versions of the same bill have been introduced in every congressional session since 2001. The act would provide an estimated 1.7 million young, undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children the opportunity to pursue a path toward American citizenship. The early reintroduction of the bill on a bipartisan basis signals increased optimism for movement on a comprehensive immigration bill that would also address the status of immigrant farmworkers and provide for an improved agricultural guestworker program. President Biden has indicated resolving the longstanding impasse over comprehensive immigration reform is a top priority for his administration.
|
|
|
Vilsack Nomination Heads to Full Senate |
The U.S. Senate Ag Committee on Feb. 2 advanced the nomination of Vilsack for secretary of agriculture. According to news reports, he is expected to be easily confirmed by the full Senate in the coming days.
|
|
|
Podcast: Subsurface Microirrigation in Vineyards |
The Vineyard Team’s Feb. 4 podcast features Pete Jacoby, Washington State University professor of crops and soil sciences, who discusses the promising results of subsurface irrigation system (vertically placed PVC pipe).
|
|
|
Winchell Receives 2021 Rich Smith Award |
Donniella "Donnie" Winchell, executive director of the Ohio Wine Producers Association (OWPA), was recently honored with the fifth annual Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award. She is the first female recipient of the award, which recognizes an individual who has made major contributions to the American grape and wine industry and research, while emulating Rich Smith’s defining traits of passion, commitment and collaboration.
|
|
|
Last Call! CAWG Foundation Scholarship Applications Due Friday, March 5 |
Students -- whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower -- must make sure their application is completed and POSTMARKED by Friday, March 5.
|
|
|
COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF FEB. 2
Widespread (purple) = 54
Substantial (red) = 1
Moderate (orange) = 3
Minimal (yellow) = 0
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
Ag Alert, Feb. 3
Ogletree Deakins, Feb. 2
UCD News, Jan. 27
|
|
|
Second Snow Survey of the Season |
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) on Feb. 3 conducted its second manual snow survey in the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento. The survey recorded 63 inches of snow depth and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 17 inches, which is 93% of average for this location (the Dec. 30 stats were 30.5 inches and 10.5 inches). Statewide, the snowpack is 70% of the Feb. 3 average.
|
|
|
Charge Up. Get Paid. > Watch e-Mission Control Webinar |
If you were unable to tune in to this week's webinar, click on the links below. You will learn how e-Mission Control can assist your operation in generating cash incentives for charging electric material and cargo handling equipment.
|
|
|
Webinar: Federal Labor Standards Enforcement in Agriculture |
Economic Policy Institute report and webinar exploring the significant challenges that farmworkers confront in the workplace and the options available to improve protections for them. Philip Martin and Zach Rutledge of UC Davis are among the presenters.
WHEN: Feb. 10 / 3-4:30 p.m. EST
|
|
|
CDFA Seeks Input on Climate Smart Agriculture |
In accordance with Gov. Newsom’s October 2020 executive order, CDFA is hosting Zoom meetings this month to hear from members of the ag industry and public on farmer- and rancher-led climate change solutions. Tree and vine (perennial) sessions will be on Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 9 a.m.
|
|
|
Second Annual US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit / April 19-21 |
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and regional winery and vineyard associations (including CAWG) are hosting a virtual summit to highlight some of the driving forces behind the increasing interest in sustainable winegrowing. Participants will learn about new ideas on how to bring sustainability education and outreach to vineyards, wineries, consumers and trade. The virtual sessions, including a wine tasting, will be held over three days.
|
|
|
Researchers seek long-term management strategies.
Good Fruit Grower, Feb. 2
CDFA Planting Seeds blog, Feb. 1
Jan. 31 issue
Grower report from Bruce Fry.
Ag Alert, Jan. 20
WATER
Cal Matters, Feb. 1
California Water Blog, Jan. 31
|
|
MARCH
APRIL
21 / CAWG Advocacy Day - virtual
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
