YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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- Newsom Wants More Funding for Ag Water Conservation
- USDA to Provide $6 billion in Disaster Assistance to Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers
- PD/GWSS Board Recommends 2022-23 Research Funding
- Does Governor Newsom Want to Ban Pesticides?
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CAWG Events: Regional Roadshow, Foundation Golf Tournament, Smoke Summit on June 6
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Newsom Wants Increased Funding for Ag Water Conservation |
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On May 13, 2022, Governor Newsom presented a revised state budget proposal to the Legislature. This annual proposed revised budget is called the “May Revision.” The Legislative Analyst’s Office estimates the governor had a $52 billion general fund surplus to allocate to various spending priorities in his May Revision for the 2022-23 State Budget.
Those revisions included $187 million to support agricultural water conservation practices; incentivize farmers to install efficient irrigation equipment and provide on-farm technical assistance; provide direct relief to small farmers; and support additional water conservation projects. While details are not available at this time, the funding priorities and amounts are as follows:
- $26 million – Sustainable Groundwater Management Act implementation
- $50 million – Agriculture drought response program
- $10 million – Delta drought response program
- $20 million – Relief for small farm operators
- $15 million – On-farm water-use technical assistance
- $40 million – State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program
- $26 million – Improving water efficiency in state facilities
During the next four weeks, the state legislature will review and make changes to the governor’s proposed budget. The legislature has until June 15 to pass a budget which would take effect at the start of the new budget year on July 1.
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USDA to Provide $6 billion in Disaster Assistance to Commodity and Specialty Crop Producers |
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This week, USDA announced that commodity and specialty crop producers impacted by natural disaster events in 2020 and 2021 will receive emergency relief payments through the newly created Emergency Relief Program (ERP) through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The ERP is another relief component of the Extending Government Funding and Delivering Emergency Assistance Act and is estimated to benefit more than 220,000 producers in the first phase who have crop insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) coverage. A second phase of ERP will commence later this summer for growers affected by disasters who did not have crop insurance. Full ERP payment calculation factor tables are available on the emergency relief website and in the program fact sheet.
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PD/GWSS Board Recommends 2022-23 Research Funding |
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The Pierce’s Disease/Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board voted to recommend funding 16 new projects, for a total of $2,699,292 over three years, and $566,562 for five continuing projects for fiscal year 2022-23. The Board’s funding recommendations were approved by California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross.
The Board has invested over $51.8 million since 2001 in research and outreach to protect vineyards, prevent the spread of pests and diseases, and deliver practical and sustainable solutions. The consistent, reliable funding made possible by the winegrape grower assessment means that California’s wine industry supports leading scientists dedicated to finding solutions to PD and other serious pests and diseases of winegrapes. Click to learn more about Board-funded research.
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Does Governor Newsom Want to Ban Pesticides? |
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California has a long history of regulating pesticides more stringently than the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Today, DPR employs more than 400 staff and maintains an operating budget of over $400 million. Environmental and consumer groups have consistently pushed for stricter regulation of pesticides in California, including bans on many important crop protection products. Last week, Governor Newsom touted his anti-pesticide stance during his presentation on the May Revision. At about 50 minutes into the presentation, Newsom said his policy agenda includes “banning pesticides.”
While Newsom proudly proclaimed he is a “champion” of banning pesticides, officials at DPR and that California Department of Food and Agriculture were quick to respond by asserting the governor didn’t intend to make a broad policy statement. However, the governor’s spouse, Jennifer Seibel Newsom, joined the discussion with a statement on Twitter that “California is a pro-life state, and we prove it” through a variety of actions including banning pesticides.
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Video Profile of Selma Wingrape Grower John Chandler
Take a video visit to Selma California and learn about grape grower John Chandler. “A Grower’s Story” is produced by Malcolm Media, publishers of American Vineyard and Pacific Nut Producer magazines, in cooperation with UPL.
Central Valley Grower John Duarte Running to Represent CA 13th Congressional District
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· CAWG Regional Roadshow - REGISTER NOW · |
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June 27 | Lodi
Woodbridge Golf & Country
800 East Woodbridge Rd, Woodbridge
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker John Roncoroni, Ph.D., Weed Specialist
Only One
Meeting Left!
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THANK YOU to our Regional Roadshow Premier Sponsors! |
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Complimentary registration for all CAWG members.
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West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force Smoke Summit: June 6 |
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Join the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF) for their annual Smoke Summit, to be held June 6, 1 - 3:30 pm (Pacific). During this webinar leading researchers from OSU, UC Davis and WSU will present their latest findings and insights on smoke issue. Also, Tim Rinehart, USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) will review the efforts underway at ARS to launch a multi-million dollar research effort to address the many complicated challenges that can follow wildfire smoke events.
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CAWG Foundation Golf Tournament |
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The California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation 3rd Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament, sponsored by Duarte Nursery, is scheduled for Monday, June 27 at Woodbridge Golf and Country Club. Tournament proceeds support scholarships for college age children whose parent or guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.
Tournament check-in opens at 9 a.m. followed by a 10 a.m. shotgun start. The tournament will be played as a four-person scramble format. The day will include games, a hole in one contest, and a reception with prizes, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. Following the golf tournament CAWG will host its Regional Roadshow reception at the club house, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM. To register for the tournament, click here.
The 92-year-old Woodbridge Golf & Country Club is located in the heart of Lodi’s wine country and the valley’s finest wineries. The golf course features 27 distinctive holes on its three-championship course.
For information about the CAWG Foundation, please click here.
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