YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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PPP Extension Act Signed, Extending Loan Applications Through May 31 |
President Biden on March 30 signed into law the PPP Extension Act of 2021. It extends the Paycheck Protection Program application deadline from March 31 to May 31, and extends the PPP authorization through June 30 to provide the Small Business Administration (SBA) additional time to process applications received by the deadline. The Senate voted 92-7 and the House voted 415-3 on the bill. >AFBF PRESS RELEASE
The SBA released its latest PPP report on 2021 approved lending through March 28. California businesses accounted for 370,475 loans totaling $28.1 billion. The agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting subsector (national) had 408,681 loans totaling nearly $7.9 billion (4% of the total amount of 2021 PPP loans).
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Biden Unveils $2T Infrastructure and Jobs Plan |
President Biden today outlined a massive $2.25 trillion American Jobs Plan that he says is “an investment in America that will create millions of good jobs, rebuild our country’s infrastructure, and position the United States to out-compete China.” >WHITE HOUSE FACT SHEET
According to a Western Growers Association press release commenting on the plan, a national coalition of more than 200 ag organizations and urban and rural water districts is urging the federal government to further bolster investment in the nation’s aging water facilities. “The coalition said it looks forward to working with the administration and Congress on the larger need for Western water infrastructure. With Western states facing another drought and their importance in supplying much of the nation’s food supply, the coalition said it is even more critical to recognize the need for rural water infrastructure investments to capture and store water for use when it is needed most.”
>ARTICLE: Biden’s infrastructure and job plan – Here’s where the money would go (April 1)
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Government Relations Report |
TOTAL RECALL
As it seems all but certain that Gov. Newsom will face a recall election later this year, it is important to note he is not alone. Several California officials are also being threatened with recalls for various reasons.
- Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is accused of failing to act on the homeless challenges facing his city.
- Many Shasta County voters are unhappy with three county supervisors because of county actions related to the lockdown.
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San Francisco District Attorney Chesa Boudin and Los Angeles District Attorney George Gascón, both considered politically liberal, are the targets of recall efforts by law and order advocates who think these prosecutors are soft on crime
Carla Marinucci, Politico senior political writer, sums up the recall Newsom effort with a short explanation: “It’s the pandemic, stupid” (watch her five-minute video, “Five things you need to know about the Gavin Newsom recall”). Of all the reasons for voter unrest, school restrictions have been the most powerful and Newsom’s opponents have made it a centerpiece of their argument to remove him.
Throughout history, the California electorate has recalled only six state officials, but recalls are not necessarily permanent. Most recently, Democratic Sen. Josh Newman was recalled in 2018 in Orange County after he voted to raise gas taxes to fund road improvements. Newman won back his seat in the 2020 general election.
>POLITICO ARTICLE: Arnold Schwarzenegger has a warning for Gavin Newsom (March 31)
—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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Check Out the New California Sustainable Wine Website |
Coinciding with the start of Down to Earth Month, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) today launched a new website dedicated to the Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing program. Developed for trade, media, consumers and visitors who want to find sustainable wines, wineries and vineyards that are certified, the website also illustrates how sustainable vineyards and wineries are making wine in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
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Recent CDFA Reports: Ag Exports and Organic Production |
The top five export commodities in 2019 were almonds, $4.9 billion; pistachios, $2.01 billion; dairy and products, $1.81 billion; wine: $1.26 billion (down 5.6% from 2018); and walnuts: $1.25 billion. In addition to other statistics, the report shows the top four major destinations for wine exports were European Union, Canada, China/Hong Kong and Japan. The state’s ag exports totaled $21.7 billion in 2019, a 3.4% increase from the previous year.
Winegrapes were ranked No. 12 in harvested acreage with 20,663 acres. The top 10 counties for organic winegrape production were Mendocino, Napa, Madera, Tulare, Sonoma, Kern, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, Fresno and Santa Barbara. In 2019, sales of organic products in California totaled more than $10.4 billion, an increase of 3.5% from 2018.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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New Grape Varieties Approved for Wine |
The TTB has administratively approved the use of two new grape variety names: albillo mayor and the synonymous names tibouren and rossese. Wine bottlers can use these names, as well as other names granted administrative approval, to label American wines pending TTB’s next rulemaking. See the complete list of grape variety names approved for use for American wines.
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Ambassador Tai Releases National Trade Estimate Report |
Wine is mentioned numerous times in the just-released 2021 National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report, released by United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai (download PDF and search wine). The 574-page report is a comprehensive review of significant foreign trade barriers affecting U.S. exports of goods and services. It focuses on the largest export markets for the United States, covering 61 countries, the European Union, Taiwan, Hong Kong and the Arab League. “USTR will continue to engage foreign governments on barriers that hamper the ability of U.S. farmers, ranchers and food processors to access markets worldwide,” stated a press release.
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF MARCH 30
Widespread/purple = 3 (March 23 = 8)
Substantial/red = 36 (March 23 = 39)
Moderate/orange = 17 (March 23 = 9)
Minimal/yellow = 2 (March 23 = 2)
MYTURN.CA.GOV
Click here to check vaccine eligibility and appointments.
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
VACCINE FINDER.ORG
Capital Public Radio, March 29
State-by-state data on number of people fully vaccinated and percent of population fully vaccinated. California has the highest number of people fully vaccinated, but is ranked in the bottom 10 for percentage of population (15.16%).
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CA Congressional Lawmakers Push for Federal Efforts on Wildfires |
A group of 23 U.S. senators and representatives from California have signed a letter urging the Biden administration to transition two agencies to a year-round federal wildland firefighting workforce. “Because the federal government owns 57% of the forest land in California, and climate change all but ensures an ever-expanding fire season in the years to come, we must begin to adapt our federal resources to better align with needs on the ground,” the lawmakers wrote to the secretaries of agriculture and interior.
In addition, nearly 50 lawmakers wrote a letter to President Biden and Vice President Harris to include at least $200 million in its fiscal year 2022 budget for science-based strategies to prevent and respond to destructive wildfires. They also requested the establishment of a coordinating body to ensure a comprehensive strategy for combatting wildfires. “It is time for the federal government to start treating wildfires more like other major disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods by making sustained investments beyond traditional disaster relief efforts,” the letter stated.
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Webinars: Statewide General Waste Discharge Requirements for Wineries |
The State Water Resources Control Board is holding three public webinars in April on the General Waste Discharge Requirements for Winery Process Water (notice). Topics include enrollment eligibility, compliance timelines and overview of requirements.
WHEN: April 8 (5:30-7 p.m.), April 21 (12-1:30 p.m.) and April 23 (12-1:30 p.m.)
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Latest Snow Survey and Drought Conditions |
The Department of Water Resources today conducted its fourth snow survey in the Sierra Nevada east of Sacramento. The survey recorded a snow depth of 49.5 inches and a snow water equivalent (SWE) of 21 inches, which is 83% of average for this location. Statewide, the snowpack's SWE is 59% of the April 1 average. In comparison, the statewide SWE was 53% of average at this time in 2020 and 162% of average at this time in 2019. >DAILY SWE DATA
As of April 1, drought conditions are mostly moderate to exceptional drought. Read a drought summary for the West and see statistics comparing current conditions with conditions at this time last year.
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Documentary to Raise Awareness About Sacramento River |
A three-woman team is currently rafting/kayaking down the Sacramento River to the ocean and creating a short documentary to shed light on the value of the river. According to an article, they plan to “film interviews with farmers, recreationists, Native American groups, scientists and Sacramento legislators at stops along the river…and hope to explore diverse views and often-conflicting interests sparring over water rights for agriculture, protection of wildlife and use of hydroelectric plants and dams.” The website includes a live map and more information about their 400-mile excursion.
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Advocacy Day: Have You Registered? |
Join CAWG members and staff for 2021 Advocacy Day on April 21 (9-11:30 a.m.).
CAWG’s state advocacy team – led by Tom Slater, CAWG Government Relations Committee chair; Michael Miiller, CAWG director of government relations; and Jackson Gualco, The Gualco Group – has planned an exciting and informative morning with key legislators and top regulatory officials. You will hear about priority bills and issues facing the wine industry and find out how you can take action by engaging on issues. Complimentary registration for all CAWG members! Please consider sponsoring this important event.
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Register for the Second Annual US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit |
Join the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, regional winery and vineyard associations, growers, vintners and others committed to sustainability for this virtual summit. You will learn some of the driving forces behind the increasing interest in sustainable winegrowing, and become inspired with new ideas on how to bring sustainability education and outreach to your region’s vineyards and wineries, consumers and trade.
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Mark Your Calendar! CAWG Foundation Golf Tournament |
Our golf tournament is back! We are excited to host our first in-person event since the pandemic started – and for a great cause: raising funds to support CAWG Foundation scholarships. The day will consist of fun and games; a hole-in-one contest; and an awards reception with prizes, drinks and hors d'oeuvres. We will take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe outdoor event. We hope you will join us on June 10!
>BROCHURE (details, sponsorships, registration)
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PD/GWSS Board Research Screening Committee Meeting
WHEN: Friday, April 9 / 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
PD/GWSS Board and PD Advisory Task Force Meeting
WHEN: Monday, April 19 / 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
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Wine Institute
CalChamber, March 29
Press release, March 27
Press release, March 27
Blog post by Mike Veseth
The Wine Economist, March 23
Penn State News, March 15
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APRIL
22 / CAWG PAC Wine Tasting Event - virtual
JUNE
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