YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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- California Weather Woes Continue: Wildfire Risks and Frost
- Farmland Conservation May Get Boost
- CAWG Events: Awards Reception, Roadshow, Golf Tournament
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California Weather Woes Continue: Wildfire Risks and Frost |
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Frost Events Damage Vineyards
Earlier this week, winegrape growers in many parts of the state were contending with significant frost events. While the extent of frost damage can vary greatly within growing regions and is often a highly localized experience, growers report potentially significant damage appears to have occurred in the Sierra foothills. Crop insurance agents have received notices of potential losses from growers in the Lodi region, Clarksburg AVA, and Napa, Sonoma, Lake, and Mendocino counties. Growers are assessing the status of their vineyards and it will take time to determine fully the extent of damage that has occurred. However, it’s clear that continuing drought conditions combined with this week’s April frost event are two factors likely to limit the size of the 2022 wingrape crop.
Growers who suspect potential frost damage and are currently insured through the federal multi-peril crop insurance program or who have a stand-alone frost policy should contact their agent to discuss filing a notice of possible loss. Growers' insurance policy language states, growers should notify their agent within 72 hours of an event occurring, or the discovery of damage.
Kristine Fox, Vice President and Director of Crop Insurance, Pan American Insurance Services reminds growers, “There is no penalty or additional premium charged for filing a crop insurance claim, regardless of the outcome. Which is why we recommend any insured grower should act now if he or she suspects any amount of frost damage.”
Wildfire Risks Predicted to Increase
On April 1, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) published its latest predictions for wildfires. The agency forecasts above normal fire potential for Northern California, with significant increased risk from May into July. The NIFC notes in its report that an early start to the growing season and ongoing long-term drought, mean the typical seasonal curing wildland vegetation across lower elevations will occur earlier, therefore creating earlier than normal flammable fuel loads and an early start to the main portion of the fire season. NIFC will issue a new report on May 1.
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Celebrate CAWG Awards of Excellence Winners on April 26 |
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Please join us in celebrating the winners of this year's CAWG's Awards of Excellence Grower and Leader of the Year. The Grower of the Year and Leader of the Year will be honored with an evening reception to take place on Tuesday, April 26, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM, at the Sutter Club, located in downtown Sacramento.
2022 Grower of the Year Award winner, Bogle Vineyards. The Grower of the Year Award is the highest honor given by CAWG. It is bestowed to an individual, family or company that represents an outstanding example of excellence in viticulture and management. The Bogles – Warren, Jody and Ryan – are leaders in the Clarksburg AVA and role models for growers throughout the state through their longtime commitment to sustainability, success in producing quality wines, advocacy for their community and fellow growers, and well-deserved respect as an employer.
2022 Leader of the Year Award winner, Dr. Anita Oberholster, Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. The Leader of the Year Award recognizes an individual whose record of exceptional leadership has benefited California’s wine industry and is an inspiration to others. Dr. Oberholster is an esteemed researcher and leading voice as an educator and expert on the complicated issues surrounding wildfire smoke and winegrapes. Relentless in her efforts to educate and help growers and wineries who have been challenged by wildfire smoke issues, Oberholster has excelled as a researcher and educator. CAWG appreciates all she has done for California’s winegrowers.
We hope to see you in Sacramento on April 26.
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Farmland Conservation May Get Boost |
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California Legislators are interested in renewed funding for The Williamson Act, the single most important program in California specifically aimed at keeping farmland in agricultural production. The Department of Conservation (DOC), which administers the program, estimates individual landowners participating in the program save anywhere from 20 percent to 75 percent in reduced property taxes each year, depending upon their circumstances.
The Williamson Act conserves agricultural and open space land by allowing private property owners who agree, through voluntary contracts with counties and cities, to restrict the future use of their land to agriculture, open space, and other compatible uses to obtain relief in the form of reduced property taxes. Under the program, county assessors must lower the assessed value of the contracted lands to reflect their use as agricultural or open space instead of a potentially higher market valuation based on another use (i.e., residential or commercial).
Last year, Governor Newsom signed into law SB 574 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz) which streamlined the DOC’s oversight of the program and delivered other cost-efficiencies and other improvements. However, the effectiveness of The Williamson Act has been diminished over the years due to a lack of state funding for the program. The state supports The Williamson Act by providing subvention payments to counties to offset their loss of property tax revenue due to lower assessments, but the last time the state made subvention payments was 2010. Absent that funding, many counties are simply unable or unwilling to conserve additional farmland through Williamson Act agreements.
This year, Assemblymember Jim Patterson (R-Fresno) is carrying a bill, AB 1773, that would provide $40 million in subvention payments to counties for fiscal year 2022-23. Since its inception, the Williamson Act has been very successful, protecting more than 16.5 million acres of farmland and open space, which is equivalent to nearly one-third of all privately-owned land in California. If passed, Patterson’s $40 million budget augmentation would build on that legacy of success.
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· CAWG Regional Roadshow - REGISTER NOW · |
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May 12 | Lake County
The Ripe Choice Farm
2550 Soda Bay Rd, Lake Port
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker: John Roncoroni, Ph.D., Weed Specialist
May 17 | Madera
The Vineyard Restaurant
605 S I St, Madera
3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Wine Social
Guest Speaker: John Roncoroni, Ph.D. Weed Specialist
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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 THREE
Meetings 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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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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