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YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS
FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY
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This week's eNews Includes:
CAWG News:
- CAWG-Sponsored Legislation Sent to Governor
- Action on the Insurance Crisis
- CLEARING THE AIR: Ag Burning Meeting for San Joaquin Valley Growers
- September Issue of American Vineyard Magazine - CAWG @ Work Column
- New Grapevine Crop Insurance Program Webinar
- eAlert: $20 Minimum Wage for Food Workers Does Not Apply to Ag Employees
Industry News:
- Governor Newsom Highlights Nearly $300 Million for Sustainable Water and Farming Projects
- As US Demand Drops, California Growers Worry About an Excess of Grapes
- Assembly Approves Two Constitutional Amendments Threatening Taxpayers' Rights
- Lake County Pruning School - Registration Open
Upcoming Events:
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Special Code for CAWG Members: FIRA USA 2023 - See Autonomous Farming Solutions in Action - Sept.19-21
- CAWG PAC Dinner at Guantonios in Lodi - Oct. 24
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CAWG-Sponsored Legislation Sent to Governor
This week, SB 659 (Ashby, D-Sacramento), which is co-sponsored by CAWG, cleared its final legislative hurdle and was sent to Governor Newsom for consideration.
SB 659, The California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023, puts California on a path to develop additional groundwater recharge opportunities that increase the recharge of the state’s groundwater basins. This is the first significant effort since creation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014 to focus so heavily on the supply side of managing groundwater.
Senator Ashby said, “Groundwater recharge projects provide multiple benefits, such as reducing flood risk, storing water for future droughts, maintaining agricultural productivity and domestic water use, improving management for environmental flows, and sustaining groundwater dependent ecosystems.”
Climate change has made it imperative that we capture water from storms and substantially accelerate our groundwater recharge efforts. SB 659 will help make sure that California has a plan in place to make this a reality and ensure that there is WATER FOR ALL of California.
This bill received bipartisan and bicameral unanimous support in the legislature. SB 659 is supported by 52 organizations representing the agricultural industry, builders, water agencies, local agencies, and environmental organizations. CAWG is proud to co-sponsor this important legislation and help bring together this diverse coalition in support. Newsom has until October 14 to sign, veto, or let the bill become law without his signature.
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Action on the Insurance Crisis
Last week, any potential reforms needed to resolve California’s insurance crisis went up in political smoke. This week, political winds shifted a bit as elected policy makers announced somewhat of a plan to move forward. Read more in the attached pdfs.
- This week Governor Newsom acknowledged California's growing wildfire insurance problem and said administration officials have been meeting regularly on the issue.
- Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced he will be moving forward with a package of regulatory solutions to streamline the rate review process.
- Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D-Hollister) also announced that the Assembly will hold a series of public hearings this fall.
Lawmakers failed to strike a deal before today’s end of the legislative session. Newsom said the negotiations “unfortunately” fell short. “I say unfortunately, because time is of the essence,” he added.
CAWG staff will be participating in legislative hearings and stakeholder meetings to move forward with action that could enhance the ability of our growers to obtain affordable and meaningful insurance coverage.
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CLEARING THE AIR: Ag Burning Meeting for San Joaquin Valley Growers
CAWG, the Lodi Winegrape Commission, and the Lodi District Grape Growers Association hosted a grower meeting on Tuesday to discuss open-air ag burning restrictions and alternatives in the San Joaquin Valley. The goal of the meeting was to provide clarity and understanding amongst the winegrowing industry, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, County Agriculture Commissioners, and policymakers.
District staff explained the current regulations while sharing information about the incentive program for growers. There is currently $34 billion of incentive money left for growers to utilize in phasing our open agriculture burning. More detailed information can be found on valleyair.org.
Michael Miiller, CAWG's Director of Government Relations, participated in a Q&A Panel with CARB and the District, moderated by CAWG director Aaron Lange.
Even with the incentive programs, challenges and frustrations continue to exist surrounding ag burning restrictions and how to remove diseased vineyards in the safest and smartest manner. The process of getting approval to burn removed vineyards can be laborious and time-consuming. CAWG has created a website for more information on open-air ag burning and a hotline where CAWG may be able to provide additional assistance.
Learn More
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September Issue of American Vineyard Magazine - CAWG @ Work Column
The September issue of the American Vineyard Magazine is now available featuring CAWG's new monthly column, CAWG @ Work.
Each month CAWG will contribute to the magazine, discussing relevant industry trends. For September, our spotlight is on "Harvest Preparedness: Safety Updates & Reminders." CAWG thanks Malcolm Media for the opportunity to connect with a wider range of growers and industry providers enhancing our capacity to advocate for and support California's winegrape growers.
Read the September column online, hint - it's on page 16.
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New Grapevine Crop Insurance Program Webinar
Join CAWG and Pan American Insurance Services on Thursday, October 5th at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar to learn about the newly released grapevine crop insurance program.
This announcement is a game-changer, addressing the longstanding challenge winegrape growers face in securing adequate property coverage for vine loss in the private market.
The deadline to sign up for coverage is November 1st, 2023 and coverage is available in Lake, Mendocino, Monterey, Napa, San Luis Obispo, and Sonoma counties.
Kristine Fox and James Dillon of Pan American Insurance Services will be presenting.
Register today
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eAlert: $20 Minimum Wage for Food Workers Does Not Apply to Ag Employees
On Monday, CAWG issued an eAlert focused on the $20 Minimum Wage for Food Workers. It is important to note, that this deal applies ONLY to fast food workers and to no other employees in the food service, food processing, or agriculture sectors.
Governor Newsom struck a deal with fast food franchises and labor unions where all parties agreed to a $20 minimum wage for fast food workers effective April 2024.
Read the full eAlert.
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Governor Newsom Highlights Nearly $300 Million for Sustainable Water and Farming Projects
This week, Governor Newsom highlighted the allocation of approximately $300 million through the Department of Water Resources (DWR) and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to enhance the resilience of California's water supply and support climate-smart agriculture practices.
DWR awarded $187 million for 103 projects throughout the state to enhance groundwater monitoring, water use efficiency, groundwater recharge, recycled water, and water quality.
CDFA awarded over $106 million in grants to 23 organizations to work with producers to design and implement carbon sequestration and irrigation efficiency projects.
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As US Demand Drops, California Growers Worry About an Excess of Grapes
It is no secret that there is an over-supply of winegrapes worldwide and that an equilibrium in the market is needed.
This week, Jeff Siegel reported that the current surplus of winegrapes can be attributed not to big harvests but rather to decreased consumer demand. “The short version of all this, is that this is the first time since the mid-1990s that we’ve seen an oversupply based on a lack of consumer demand,” said Greg Livengood, CEO for Ciatti Global Wine & Grape Brokers.
CAWG members, Kautz Family Vineyards, Turrentine Brokerage, and Ciatti Global Wine & Grape Brokers were quoted in the article.
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Legislature Approves Two Constitutional Amendments Threatening Taxpayers' Rights
The legislature has approved two constitutional amendments that would impact taxpayer protections and the vote requirements needed to approve new taxes. CalTax released an article outlining the amendments.
ACA 1 (Aguiar-Curry, D-Winters) would lower the vote threshold from two-thirds to 55 percent to pass infrastructure-related local bonds and special taxes. This would strip taxpayers of the two-thirds vote requirement established by Proposition 13 to prevent local governments from increasing taxes in response to Proposition 13’s property tax limitations.
ACA-13 (Ward, D-San Diego) would require any statewide initiative that changes any vote requirements to receive the same votes in support as the vote requirement specified in the initiative.
Both measures now go to the ballot in 2024 for the voters to decide if they should become law.
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Lake County Pruning School - Registration Open
Registration for the second year of the Lake County Pruning School, which will begin in December 2023, is now open. In addition to the introductory course that was offered last year, an intermediate-level course will also be offered this year as well.
The immersive training program will again be delivered in collaboration with Simonit & Sirch, the renowned grapevine pruning school. Vine Master Pruners Jacopo Miolo and Jett Johansson will share their knowledge about grapevine sap flow and teach innovative pruning techniques to foster grapevine health, longevity, and sustainability of the vineyard.
For eligibility and registration information, visit lakecounywinegrape.org.
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Upcoming Events and Trainings | |
FIRA USA 2023 - See Autonomous Farming Solutions in Action
FIRA USA is a three-day event bringing together all aspects of autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions.
FIFTA is offering a discount code to CAWG members. To access the discount, visit the registration Select tickets | FIRA USA 2023 | Humanitix , choose "Grower 3-day pass," and use the following promo code: FIRAUSA2023GROWERS, which provides a 3-day pass for $299.
During the event, attendees can expect to see robotic farming solutions, exhibitions, presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities. More than 20 demos and 35 robots will be on display from manufacturers from all over the world. All demos and exhibitions will take place onsite, making it easy for attendees to navigate between presentations and the exhibitor and demo areas.
FIRA’s panel discussions include:
- How the federal government is investing in agricultural robotics
- Developing open digital infrastructure for agricultural automation
- Ag robotics education and career pathways
- What robotic weeding can teach us about next generation farm operations
Michael Miiller, Director of Government Relations at CAWG, will be a speaker on the panel discussion of regulatory expectations relative to autonomous ag equipment.
When and Where:
- September 19-21, Salinas Sports Complex
The full agenda is posted online.
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CAWG PAC Dinner at Guantonios in Lodi
Join the CAWG PAC and the CAWG Board on Tuesday, October 24, for an intimate family-style dinner and fundraiser at Guantonios, in Lodi. Space is limited! The evening will include a farm-to-fork specialty dinner menu paired with California wines.
Guantonios is a family-owned and operated restaurant focused on, and inspired by, the beauty that is Northern California agriculture.
Don't miss this opportunity to support the CAWG PAC and join us at one of Lodi's most popular restaurants.
Download the event flyer here.
For Sponsorship opportunities, contact Jenny Devine.
Register here.
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