YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Government Relations Report |
COVID-19 EMERGENCY TEMPORARY STANDARDS REMAIN UNCHANGED
California’s Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (board) today held a public hearing to consider amendments to the emergency temporary standards (ETS), which are widely opposed by business groups as unworkable and unnecessary. The amendments would have eased some of the most burdensome restrictions, as greater numbers of employees become vaccinated.
CAWG and other ag organizations pushed for a repeal of the ETS, as they have been out of date for more than six months and take the wrong approach to regulating workplace safety for COVID-19.
At the urging of Cal/OSHA staff, the board took no action. This means for the time being, the ETS will remain unchanged. Today’s action appears to be a result of new guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Gov. Newsom’s stated desire to reopen the state’s economy more fully by June 15.
Cal/OSHA is expected to release new amendments to the ETS on May 28. The board may act on those amendments at an emergency meeting, scheduled for June 3, so that a revised ETS is in place before June 15. While it is not clear what the amendments may include, they likely will address the following:
- Reduced paid leave, physical distancing and face covering requirements for vaccinated employees.
- Clarifications in reporting requirements.
- Reducing requirements for workplaces with high vaccination rates.
- Reduced restrictions for housing and transportation.
- Expansion of N-95 respirator requirements.
At a minimum, CAWG and other ag organizations are optimistic the ETS, if they remain in effect, will be amended to be more consistent with guidance from the CDC and California Department of Public Health and less burdensome to ag employers.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF MAY 18:
Substantial/red = 10 (May 11 = 11)
Moderate/orange = 35 (May 11 = 38)
Minimal/yellow = 13 (May 11 = 9)
CDPH
CAWG
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Congressional Dems Reintroduce Fairness for Farm Workers Act |
Rep. Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) and 54 Congressional Democrats on May 13 reintroduced the Fairness for Farm Workers Act (H.R. 3194), which is included in the Biden administration’s immigration plan, the U.S. Citizenship Act. According to Grijalva’s press release, the bill would “update the nation’s labor laws to ensure farmworkers receive fair wages and compensation” and “amend the Fair Labor Standards Act to end the overtime and minimum wage exemptions for farmworkers.”
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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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PD/GWSS Board Update on Nursery Programs |
Nursery Stock Approved Treatment Program (ATP):
As of March 31, there were 3,188 ATP shipments, consisting of approximately 644,416 plants. No regulatory actions have been taken against any ATP nurseries for viable life stages so far this year.
Nursery Regulatory Program:
As of March 31, there were 10,702 nursery stock shipments to non-infested areas of the state. Origin county inspectors have stopped one GWSS adult, one nymph and four egg masses from moving in nursery stock shipments. All nursery shipments were free of GWSS during destination inspections.
GWSS-RELATED ARTICLE
Growing Produce, May 18
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Vineyard Resources from UCCE |
May 7 webinar by Mark Battany, farm advisor in SLO and Santa Barbara counties. It reviews how to access satellite NDVI data, which can be used in various ways to better understand issues in vineyards and other crops.
A new/free guide – a collaboration between UCCE and California Invasive Plant Council – that includes a chapter on grazing.
An interactive map displays markers representing contract grazers with herds for hire.
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Smartphone App Predicts Vineyard Yields |
From the Cornell Chronicle / May 17: Cornell engineers and plant scientists have developed a low-cost system that allows grape growers to predict their yields much earlier in the season and more accurately than costly traditional methods. The new method allows a grower to use a smartphone to video grapevines while driving a tractor or walking through the vineyard at night. Growers can then upload their video to a server to process the data. The system relies on computer-vision to improve the reliability of yield estimates.
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Podcast: Using Satellite Data for Irrigation Scheduling |
The Vineyard Team’s May 20 podcast features IrriWatch founder and CEO Wim Bastiaanssen, who aims to provide practical guidelines for irrigation management. The IrriWatch software aggregates data from 10 satellites to provide daily moisture measurements down to the pixel, allowing growers to optimize irrigation water applications in a world of dynamical weather, soil and crop processes.
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US, Mexico, Canada Trade Officials Meet for First USMCA Summit |
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and colleagues from Mexico and Canada this week convened the inaugural USMCA Free Trade Commission (FTC) virtual meeting. The three countries recommitted to “fully implementing, enforcing and fulfilling the agreement’s terms and high standards throughout the life of the USMCA.” A number of issues of concern were on the agenda, including labor standards.
Tai highlighted her intention to lead a worker-centric trade policy: “I pledge my commitment to ensuring that workers and environmentalists enjoy their own pride of place, so that we can continue to address the race-to-the-bottom that has characterized the trading system over the past several decades,” she said.
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The U.S. Senate on May 13 confirmed Jewel Bronaugh for USDA deputy secretary by bipartisan voice vote. She previously received bipartisan support from the Senate Ag Committee. Bronaugh’s confirmation is historic, as she is the first woman of color to serve in this position.
OTHER NOMINEES, APPOINTEES
- CDFA Undersecretary Jenny Lester Moffitt is still awaiting committee consideration.
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USDA announced the appointments of Meryl Harrell as deputy under secretary for natural resources and environment and Terry Cosby as chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. They will begin their positions on May 24.
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Drought: Sonoma County Ag Loss Survey for 2021 Crop Year |
The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture is conducting an ag loss survey to determine the extent and nature of crop loss due to the drought conditions in Sonoma County during the 2020-21 rainy season (October 2020 to April 2021). The results of this survey may lead to additional assistance to Sonoma County producers. Surveys should be returned as soon as possible, but no later than Sept. 1, 2021.
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New Report: What Can We Learn from How the State Responded to the Last Major Drought? |
Legislative Analyst's Office report summary: As we prepare for what could be an extended period of dry conditions, it is helpful to review how the state responded to the last major drought. Such information can inform – and thereby potentially improve – the state’s current and ongoing response to developing conditions. In this report, we summarize the major activities, spending and policy actions undertaken by the state to respond to the 2012-2016 severe drought. We also describe current conditions, and highlight some key lessons the California Legislature can learn from previous efforts to help guide its response to the emerging drought.
SNOW WATER EQUIVALENT LEVELS
DROUGHT-RELATED ARTICLES
Ag Alert, May 19
Ag Alert, May 19
Sonoma Index Tribune, May 13
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Wildfire Preparedness Webinar
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WHEN: May 24 / NEW TIME: 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
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ABOUT: Join CAWG, CSWA and Wine Institute for this webinar focused on wildfire preparedness for vineyards and wineries. Topics will include grants for wildfire prevention and preparedness, and wildfire-related insurance issues.
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SPEAKERS: Representatives from the Natural Resources Conservation Service, CalFire, CAWG, CSWA and Wine Institute.
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Federal Agencies Outline Wildland Fire Preparedness and Response Goals |
USDA and Interior secretaries last week shared their vision for wildland fire preparedness and response in a memo to leaders of the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The memo discussed 2020 wildfires, COVID obstacles, the current drought conditions in the West and the effects of climate change.
“We used to call it fire season, but wildland fires now extend throughout the entire year, burning hotter and growing more catastrophic in drier conditions due to climate change,” Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “USDA will increase the resiliency of communities at risk for wildfire with more effective land management decisions and partnerships with local communities and Tribal Nations to address climate adaptation, conservation and ecological resilience.”
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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!
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May issue
New technology fights grape powdery mildew at the genetic level. Primary funding for the UC Berkeley project came from the American Vineyard Foundation (AVF) and the National Science Foundation.
Good Fruit Grower, May 18
Ag Net West, May 18
Ag Net West, May 17
Farm Progress, May 17
CDFA Planting Seeds Blog, May 14
Press release, May 14
Wine Industry Advisor, May 6
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Labor and the Harvest Season
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WHEN: June 3 / 8:30 a.m.–9:30 a.m.
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ABOUT: The webinar will discuss how the worsening labor shortage may impact the harvest season and ways that integrated logistics planning and scheduling can help you prepare.
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HOSTED BY: CAWG and G3 Enterprises
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PRESENTER: Yvonne Sams, senior director of CA logistics for G3’s hauling team, will share her insights and expertise on the future of ag trucking in California.
The Importance of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Grape and Wine Industries
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WHEN: June 7 / 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
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PRESENTERS: Representatives from UC Davis and individuals working in the wine/winegrape industries.
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