|
YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS
FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY
| |
|
- Smoke Research Legislation
- Deadline Fast Approaching for ERP Phase 1 - Dec 16
- CAWG Announces 2023 Grower and Leader of the Year Recipients
- Labor Secretary Leaves
- Rules Don't Apply to the Legislature
- Department of Conservation Taking Comments on Ag Land "Re-Purposing" Grants
- AB 2183 - Ag Industry Card Check Meeting
- UW&GS - Last Call - Sponsor or Advertise Today!
- Upcoming CAWG Webinars
- Workers Compensation - Time to Review Your Policy
- New CA Laws for 2023
- CA Minimum Wage Increase
- Webinars - $120 Million in Tax Credits for Businesses
- Padilla, Western Senators Urge USDA to Prioritize Drought and Conservation Efforts
- Exciting CAWG Opportunities During Unified!
- CA Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador Course Updated
- Call for Applications for the Ninth Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards
| |
|
This week, Assemblywoman Cecilia Aguiar-Curry (D-Winters) introduced legislation to create a smoke taint research program within the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). This is dependent on $5 million in funding for CDFA in the 2023-24 state budget.
In co-sponsoring AB 54, CAWG is continuing our efforts to obtain research funding at the state and federal levels. UC Davis and UC Santa Cruz are key research institutions, and while there have been federal funds put towards this effort, the State of California has provided no funding whatsoever for this research. Given the state’s $25 billion deficit in the budget, state funding for this issue will be a heavy lift in Sacramento. But given the severity of the problem, and its impact on our industry, we need to push forward.
Wildfires are becoming a year-round reality in California due to climate change. When trees burn, lignin, a chemical compound that gives wood much of its structure, releases into the smoke a range of volatile phenols, a class of airborne molecules. Permeable skins make grapes uniquely vulnerable. When smoke enters a vineyard, these volatile phenols get absorbed by grapes; enzymes in the grape then bind the phenols with sugars to create as many as 40 new compounds. These compounds are precursors to smoke flavors, but they’re time bombs — becoming noticeable to the palate only after fermentation and, in some cases, only after a wine has been aged.
The goals for winegrapes and wine are to research and investigate accurate measurements of smoke compounds, identify methods to mitigate the damage, and find solutions to prevent smoke damage.
| |
Deadline Fast Approaching for ERP Phase One | |
|
Winegrape growers and producers who are eligible for assistance through ERP Phase One have until Friday, Dec. 16, 2022, to contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center to receive program benefits. If you have not received your pre-filled application, please reach out to your local FSA office!
Going forward, if any additional ERP Phase One prefilled applications are generated due to corrections or other circumstances, there will be a 30-day deadline from the date of notification for that particular application.
MORE INFORMATION
| |
CAWG Announces 2023 Grower and Leader of the Year Recipients | |
|
The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) announced the selection of Central Coast grower Dana Merrill as the 2023 Grower of the Year, and employment and immigration attorney Jeanne M. Malitz as the 2023 Leader of the Year. To honor both, CAWG will be hosting an Awards of Excellence Reception on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 6:00 p.m. The reception will be held during the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, immediately following the welcome reception at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento.
"We applaud the leadership of both Dana and Jeanne, who are deeply deserving of recognition by their peers and our industry,” said CAWG Interim President Natalie Collins. “Dana has been a pillar in the winegrape sector, from his dedication to sustainable farming, to his innovation in developing new growing techniques. Dana has not only proven to be a leader within the vineyard space, but also through the industry and his local community.”
“Jeanne has been and continues to be the industry’s go-to attorney on all H-2A matters,” said Collins. “In a time when growers are exploring diverse avenues to hire labor, Jeanne’s advice has been instrumental. She has dedicated countless hours to education, speaking on a variety of panels and at industry events. The California winegrape industry has benefited greatly from Jeanne’s leadership and willingness to share knowledge.”
PRESS RELEASE
| |
Rules Don’t Apply to the Legislature | |
|
The legislature has a history of passing tough environmental and labor laws, with the understanding that those laws would not apply to the legislature. This week, the legislature got a bit of a wakeup call on collective bargaining and the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
Collective Bargaining
As the 2023-24 legislative session began in earnest on Monday, the very first bill introduced would allow legislative staff to be represented by a labor union. AB 1 (McKinnor, D-Los Angeles) has 28 co-authors including Robert Rivas (the Speaker Designate of the Assembly). This is a movement that is gaining speed.
If AB 1 is approved by the legislature and signed into law, this means that lawmakers could no longer put pressure on staff to “volunteer” (long hours without pay) on political campaigns, to run personal errands for the Senator or Assemblymember, or to work a 60-hour work week with no overtime pay.
CEQA
Last year, legislative offices were moved from the Capitol Annex to a new office building one block away. This was part of a multi-year plan to tear down the Capitol Annex and to build a new annex in its place. That $1 billion plan was put on hold this week when the 3rd District Court of Appeals in Sacramento found the State did not provide a thorough analysis of the project’s impact on historical resources, aesthetics or analysis of alternatives as required under CEQA.
Under existing law, the state will either need to re-engage in the CEQA process to address the court’s concerns or appeal the ruling to the State Supreme Court. Either way, this ruling could delay the project by several months to a few years.
Next Steps
Don’t be surprised if AB 1 gets bottled up somewhere in the legislative process in 2023 and never becomes law. Also, don’t be surprised if the legislature passes a bill exempting the Capitol Annex project from CEQA. This would be consistent with the legislature’s history of placing requirements on the people of California that do not apply to the legislative body representing the people. Absent that action or similar steps, the legislature may begin experiencing the consequences of the environmental and labor laws they pass.
| |
|
Department of Conservation Accepting Comments on Ag Land
“Re-Purposing” Grants
| |
|
Public comments are being accepted on the draft guidelines for Round 2 of the Department of Conservation’s Multi-benefit Land-Repurposing Grants. The program funds groundwater sustainability projects that reduce groundwater use, repurpose irrigated agricultural land, and provide wildlife habitat.
An online workshop to discuss the draft guidelines is scheduled for Dec. 13.
READ MORE
| |
AB 2183 - Card Check Meeting, Dec 21 at 1:00 pm | |
|
A cohort of agricultural organizations, including CAWG, are hosting a seminar on Wednesday, December 21 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm in Fresno to discuss AB 2183, the agricultural employee unionization card check legislation that goes into effect on January 1, 2023.
Presented by Barsamian and Moody, Attorneys at Law, this seminar will walk through the statutory changes to the Agricultural Labor Relations Act, including what is card check, labor peace elections, the administrative penalties, and appeal bond requirements in the new law. The seminar is intended for owner-operators, managers, human resources personnel, and farm labor contractors (FLCs) FLC representatives are encouraged to attend.
Spanish language interpretation and devices will be available for attendees. If you will need Spanish language translation, please register by Wednesday, December 14th and indicate the Spanish language option to ensure enough listening headsets can be provided.
(Please note that the content of the seminar will not constitute legal advice or counsel.)
The seminar is at no cost to attend but RSVPs are required.
Date: Wednesday, December 21, 2022 (Deadline to register is Tuesday, December 20th)
Time: 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Location: C.P.D.E.S. Hall of Fresno (172 W. Jefferson Ave., Fresno, CA 93706)
REGISTER
View Invite with Participating Organizations
| |
|
Unified Wine and Grape Symposium
Last Call! Sponsorship & Advertisement Opportunities
| |
|
The Unified Symposium is the ideal location to promote your company to thousands of industry professionals who attend. Our varied sponsorship and advertising program offers several different options for all size budgets. Banners and signs in the newly renovated SAFE Credit Union convention center proclaim your presence, print and online ads showcase your product, and exclusive sponsorship opportunities increase your brand visibility.
This is THE wine & grape industry show to attend where you invest in your future and discover new ideas and technologies—a can’t miss!
Sponsorship & Advertisement Opportunities Include
- Program & Exhibit Directory: $10,000
-
NEW! Spanish Track Sponsorships: $1,500 - $5,000
-
Breakout Session Sponsor: $3,500
- Tote Bag Sponsor: $10,000
-
Keynote Speaker Table Sponsor: $1,500
- Welcome Reception Hors D’oeuvres Sponsor: $3,500
-
NEW! Charging Station: $7,500
- Thursday General Session Coffee Sponsor: $5,000
- Regional Wine Tasting Sponsor: $2,000
- Escalator Decals: $8,000
- Free Standing Banner: $7,000
- Column Wrap: $6,000
For questions regarding the opportunities available, please contact Jenny Devine or visit unifiedsymposium.org.
VIEW BROCHURE
| |
|
Dec 13 · 10:00 am: Workers Compensation - Time to Review your Policy!
Did you know that CAWG members can take advantage of a competitive workers compensation program offered through Pan American Insurance Services?
Join CAWG on Tuesday, December 13 at 10:00 am for a webinar discussing considerations for your Workers Compensation policy and HOW TO SAVE MONEY, now and in the future.
This webinar will review:
- Items to consider when reviewing your workers comp policy.
- The difference between base rate & net rate.
- The variations among insurance providers.
- How new laws impact workers compensation and what can you do to insulate yourself from fines and fees.
As a qualified CAWG member, you will enjoy exclusive member-only low rates from an A.M. Best “A+” Rated Carrier; known for offering the best combination of price and coverage services of any workers' compensation carrier in California.
Dec 14 · 10:00 am: New CA Laws for 2023: What Employers Need to Know
Join the California Association of Winegrape Growers on Wednesday, December 14th at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar providing a roundup of state labor legislation, guidelines, and regulations that recently took effect or will take effect January 2023.
Governor Newsom signed some significant labor and employment legislation with which California employers will need to comply. Learn how these changes may apply to your operation and how best to ensure compliance.
Presenting will be Brandon Kahoush and Collin Cook with Fisher & Phillips, LLP. Also hear from Michael Miiller, CAWG’s Director of Government Relations.
Topics Include:
- Card Check
- Minimum Wage & Ag Overtime
- COVID-19 Workplace Safety
- Bereavement Leave
- Expansion of California Family Rights Act Leave for “Designated Person”
- Agricultural Workers and Wildfire Smoke
- Current Status of Employment Arbitration Agreements
- Settlement Agreements and Non-disparagement Agreements
- First Aid Kits at Work
- Heat Illness Prevention
All webinar registration pages are hyperlinked above. View each registration page for more information about each webinar.
| |
CA's Minimum Wage Increases Next Month, Effort for Bigger Raises Underway | |
|
California’s minimum wage is set to increase at the start of next month and, despite mounting inflation, it will be the smallest increase since 2018.
The new minimum wage for businesses in the state, regardless of the number of employees, will increase from the current rate of $15 an hour to $15.50.
That 3.33% increase is less than half of the 7.9% increase in inflation California’s Department of Finance calculated occurred from July 2021 to the end of June 2022.
It will be the first time since 2018 that the minimum wage did not increase by $1 at the start of a new year.
In 2016, Gov. Jerry Brown signed a law that increased the minimum wage by a predetermined amount every year until it reached $15 an hour. After the $15-an-hour wage was reached, regular annual increases were set to continue on the first day of the year.
According to the law, the size of those annual minimum wage bumps is one of two options, whichever is lesser: either the percent of inflation (as calculated by the state’s Director of Finance to have occurred from July of the prior year to June of the current year) or just 3.5%. Whichever percent is smaller becomes the wage increase, rounded to the nearest 10 cents.
| |
Webinars - $120 Million in Tax Credits for Businesses | |
|
The next California Competes Tax Credit (CCTC) application period starts Tuesday, January 3, 2023, with $120 million in available tax credits. Businesses interested in applying can register to view a live webinar explaining the application process.
CCTC is an income tax credit available to businesses that want to come to California or stay and grow in California and create quality, full-time jobs. Tax credit agreements are negotiated by Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz) and approved by the CCTC Committee. For more information about GO-Biz visit: www.business.ca.gov.
The deadline to submit applications is Monday, January 23, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. (Pacific Time) and the online application website will automatically close once this deadline has passed. The online application can be accessed starting January 3, 2023, at www.calcompetes.ca.gov.
Upcoming Webinars
January 4, 2023
Details and Registration
January 12, 2023
Details and Registration
January 17, 2023
Details and Registration
For assistance, contact CalCompetes@gobiz.ca.gov or (916) 322-4051. An application guide, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), program regulations, and a downloadable version of the webinar presentation are available here.
| |
Padilla, Western Senators Urge USDA to Prioritize Drought and Conservation Efforts | |
|
U.S. Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) joined a bipartisan group of fourteen Western senators in sending a letter urging the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ensure that its programs are funded and administered to more effectively address the dire drought conditions throughout the West. The agency’s programs often do not translate well to the needs of Western growers and communities. The senators ask the agency to ensure improvements to existing authorities, new funding for projects and practices that conserve water, and collaboration with state, local, and tribal governments. In the letter, the senators urge USDA to support the efforts of Western farmers and ranchers to conserve water, improve water infrastructure and efficiency, reduce erosion, and provide technical assistance for growers in regions affected by drought.
“The American West is in crisis. Across the major basins of the American West – including the Colorado River Basin, the Rio Grande Basin, the Great Basin, the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Basin, the Columbia River Basin, and the Arkansas-White-Red Basin – farm and ranch families hang in the balance as they grapple with a 22-year mega-drought,” wrote the lawmakers. “The acute shortage of water for Western growers threatens productive farmland across our states, which are both a pillar of our rural economies and drivers of America’s food production.”
“American farmers and ranchers manage over 895 million acres of ground in the United States, giving them a vital role in combating climate change risks while continuing to feed America,” continued the lawmakers. “Congress funded $20 billion for USDA agriculture conservation programs. We believe USDA should allocate these funds for agriculture conservation equally across the country to reflect the contribution of every region, including the West.”
California and the Western United States remain under threat by extreme drought and record heat. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, over 70 percent of the Western states are classified as experiencing some level of drought, with nearly 30 percent of Western land experiencing extreme or exceptional drought.
Senator Padilla has made developing sustainable water supplies a critical priority as California grapples with unprecedented drought. Earlier this year, Padilla secured a historic $4 billion in funding for drought resiliency in the Inflation Reduction Act to stabilize water supplies from the Salton Sea to the Colorado River. Padilla also introduced the Water Reuse and Resiliency Act to boost funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Pilot Program for Alternative Water Source Projects grants program for groundwater recharge, stormwater capture and reuse, and water recycling projects.
| |
Exciting CAWG Opportunities During Unified | |
|
There are several different CAWG opportunities to take advantage of during the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium.
CAWG Member Discount
Your CAWG membership entitles you to a $200 discount on your 2023 UW&GS registration. To secure your pre-registration discount, you must register no later than January 17, 2023. The registration discount may be used for all employees of your company, so the more you register, the more you save! You will need your CAWG code to register. REGISTER HERE
CAWG Conference Room Rental
Need a place to meet during the 2023 UW&GS? The CAWG Conference Room is located just two blocks from the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center & across from the Hyatt. The room includes internet access, space for up to 30 people, screen and conference room phone. You are allowed to bring in outside food and beverage. The room is available from 8 am - 5 pm, January 24 - 26, for $100/hr. ONLY available to CAWG Members! RENTAL INFORMATION
Awards of Excellence Reception
The 2023 CAWG Awards of Excellence Reception will be taking place on Tuesday, January 24, at 6:00 PM, immediately following the Unified Welcome Reception. CAWG will be honoring Dana Merrill, Mesa Vineyard Management as Grower of the Year and Jeanne Malitz, MalitzLaw as Leader of the Year. We invite all CAWG members to join at no cost. PRESS RELEASE
CAWG PAC Event
Join the CAWG PAC for a rockin' good time at the Torch Club on Wednesday, January 25 in downtown Sacramento. Live music will be on tap by Remedy 7, featuring our very own Michael Miiller (CAWG's Director of Government Relations) on drums. Sponsorship Opportunities are available! REGISTER HERE
Questions
CAWG Member Code & Conference Room Rental
Natalie Collins | natalie@cawg.org | 916-379-8995
CAWG Awards of Excellence & CAWG PAC Event
Jenny Devine | jenny@cawg.org | 916-432-0133
| |
California Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador Course Updated | |
|
Wine Institute and California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) have made significant updates, including the addition of new course content, to the California Sustainable Winegrowing Ambassador course since its launch in 2015.The free, one-hour, online certificate course provides education about all areas of sustainable winegrowing and winemaking, and helps wine professionals (those in winery sales, marketing, public relations and hospitality roles as well as retailers, restaurateurs, distributors and media) learn and test their understanding of California vineyards and wineries’ sustainability efforts. To date over 4,000 wine professionals from over 120 countries have utilized the course. Enroll today at ambassador.discovercaliforniawines.com.
NEWS RELEASE
| |
Call for Applications for the Ninth Annual California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards | |
|
California vineyards and wineries are encouraged to apply for the 2023 California Green Medal Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards.
Applications are accepted on greenmedal.org through Friday, January 20, 2023!
Vineyards and wineries that participate in a sustainability program in California are eligible to apply in four award categories, recognizing outstanding achievement in sustainability:
Leader Award, given to the vineyard or winery that demonstrates success and innovation in all of the below three areas of sustainable winegrowing and inspires others.
The 2022 California Green Medal recipients were:
- Wente Family Estates, Leader Award
- Trefethen Family Vineyards, Environment Award
- McManis Family Vineyards, Community Award
- Jackson Family Wines, Business Award
Applications are being accepted through Friday, January 20th, 2023
APPLY AT GREENMEDAL.ORG
| | | | | |
