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FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY

This Week's eNews Includes:

CAWG News:

• Successful CAWG PAC Dinner at Guantonios in Lodi
• CDFA Secretary Karen Ross to Keynote 2024 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium Luncheon
• Rep. Mike Johnson Elected as Speaker of the House
• Synthetic Turf is Good (Bad?)
• CAWG Submits Comments on EPA’s Draft Herbicide Strategy
• Labor Unions & Climate Change

Industry News:

• California’s Economic Outlook Worsens as Newsom Travels Overseas
• USDA Bolsters Investments in International Trade and Food Aid
• Wine Industry Fires Back Against the WHO's 'Zero Safety' Alcohol Policy
• TIME Recognizes CAL FIRE AI & AlertCalifornia as a Best Invention of 2023
• All Employers Must Use the Revised Form I-9 Starting Nov. 1
• A Warm, Wet El Nino Winter is in Store For California and Much of the U.S.
• Eight Picked for California North Coast Women in Wine Awards
• Generational Farmers



Upcoming Events:

• Biochar: Observed Vineyard Impact & Practical Insights for Application Webinar - Nov. 6
• Napa Valley Grapegrowers ROOTSTOCK Conference - Nov. 6-7
• Malcolm Media's Tree and Vine Expo - Nov. 7
• CAWG Wine Reception and Dinner Celebrating Outgoing Chairman Tom Slater - Nov. 8
• Malcolm Media's Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo - Nov. 10
• Agrichemical Remote Sensing to Improve Sustainable Grape Disease Management Webinar - Nov. 13
• New CA Laws for 2024: What Employers Need to Know Webinar - Dec. 12

CAWG News

Successful CAWG PAC Dinner at Guantonios in Lodi

A sold-out event featuring growers, key vendors, and wine industry leaders, proved to be an outstanding evening in support of the CAWG PAC. Attendees enjoyed a farm-to-fork curated meal prepared by Guantonios in Lodi. 

CAWG extends a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and the following directors: Davindar Mahil, Creekside Farming; Craig Ledbetter, Vino Farms; Aaron Lange, LangeTwins; Mike Manna, Manna Ranch; and Amy Blagg, Lodi District Grape Growers Association, for their efforts in making the evening a success. 

CAWG recognizes the challenges facing the industry and pledges to continue supporting candidates who appreciate and understand the contributions of winegrape growers to the state and nation. 

Rep. Mike Johnson Elected as Speaker of the House

The U.S. House of Representatives had been without a speaker for 22 days, but yesterday, Republicans rallied around their fourth speaker-designate which was brought to the floor for a vote. Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) won election of the role with the support of all 220 Republicans in attendance, surpassing the 215-vote total required to win. All 209 Democrats in attendance voted for Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the party’s House Leader.

Rep. Johnson has been a member of the House of Representatives since 2016 and is currently serving his fourth term in the House. Prior to joining the House, he served in the Louisiana Legislature from 2015-2017. 

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross to Keynote 2024 Unified Wine and Grape Symposium Luncheon

Karen Ross, secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), will open the 2024 Unified Wine & Grape Symposium with her keynote luncheon address on Tuesday, January 23. As past president of CAWG, Secretary Ross played an instrumental role in shaping the Unified Wine and Grape Symposium into what it is today. She will focus on exploring climate-smart agriculture, automation, biological solutions, and energy challenges in the context of California’s agricultural and winegrape landscape.

“As the Unified Symposium celebrates its 30th anniversary, it feels especially fitting to welcome back former CAWG President Karen Ross,” said current CAWG President Natalie Collins. “Secretary Ross possesses a unique understanding of the interconnected issues and challenges confronting the wine and grape industry and continues to be a strong voice for our community.”

The luncheon begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel. Registration for the Unified Wine & Grape Symposium is available online. The Keynote Luncheon is priced separately from general registration and includes a plated lunch and wine. 

CAWG Members receive a $200 discount on their general registration before January 16. Member codes were emailed earlier this month. Please contact CAWG if you have not received your member code.

Synthetic Turf is Good (Bad?)

Whenever California is in drought, the first place regulators look to conserve water is in our fields, orchards, and vineyards. Fortunately, a few years ago, the Brown Administration also began the push for water conservation in urban and suburban settings. This was in part through the increased use of synthetic turf as a replacement for real grass. However, that public policy, some of which is still in place today, may change if environmental organizations, and the legislature, have their way.

The legislature recently approved legislation that would have prohibited the use of artificial turf that contains perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Sierra Club and other environmental groups supported AB 1423 (Schiavo, D-Los Angeles) because earlier this year, there were 171 water wells in California that were tested and found to be contaminated with “forever chemicals” such as PFAS. AB 1423 was intended in part to keep PFAS from leaching into groundwater. 

In vetoing the bill, Governor Newsom directed the Department of Toxic Substances Control to, “consider alternative approaches to regulating the use of these harmful chemicals in consumer products.” This means that the final decision on artificial turf has not yet been made. 

There are at least two key takeaways for ag on this issue: First, growers may be rightly concerned with any efforts to reduce water conservation in suburban and urban settings. In a drought, agriculture should not be the only one conserving water. Secondly, it would be nice if policymakers in Sacramento would do their research and collect data before writing new laws.

Case in point: We may soon be facing a ban on the use of a product that, only a few years ago, was encouraged for public use.

CAWG Submits Comments on EPA’s Draft Herbicide Strategy

CAWG joined a host of agricultural organizations in signing a letter prepared by the Minor Crop Farm Alliance to address concerns with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Draft Herbicide Strategy (Strategy). This Strategy is a component of the EPA's broader initiative aimed at safeguarding endangered species from the exposure of agricultural pesticide use by focusing on developing and implementing early protections for more than 900 listed species and designated critical habitats. 

The Strategy outlines potential mitigation measures for conventional agricultural herbicides, aimed at reducing pesticide transport via spray drift and runoff/erosion. Part of the mitigation efforts proposed include the requirement that growers gain “efficacy points” by calculating mitigation measures in place for certain conservation practices (no-till, vegetative filter strips, contour terracing, etc.) in their operations. Each herbicide product would have a specified efficacy point threshold that a grower would need to meet or exceed to be able to use that product.

In the letter submitted to the EPA, CAWG aided in developing a scenario for winegrape growers in California, taking into consideration current farming practices and the feasibility of attaining enough efficacy points to continue pesticide use.

There are currently four Pesticide Use Limitation Areas (PULAs) outlined in the Strategy. In California, these PULA’s encompass most of the coastline and Central Valley.

Nationwide it is estimated that more than 60% of grapes (wine and table) are located within a designated PULA.  

Labor Unions & Climate Change

When looking at pending legislation in Sacramento, there is a broad generality with progressive elected officials that, unfortunately, goes something like this:

• When it’s labor unions vs. business groups, labor unions win.
• When it’s environmental groups vs. business groups, environmental groups win.
• When it’s labor unions vs. environmental groups, labor unions win . . . most of the time.

Consequently, labor unions have figured out they can’t win them all. So, they need to start dealing with climate change policies pushed by environmental groups. 

To achieve this, a labor coalition called the California Labor for Climate Jobs (CLCJ) was recently formed. The CLCJ claims, “Our member unions represent public sector workers including in oil and gas-dependent counties, as well as teachers, utility workers, domestic workers, healthcare workers, farmworkers, janitors and many more.”

The coalition’s main goal is to create a safety net for workers whose jobs may be impacted by climate change. This may mean hazard pay for employees (including agricultural workers) due to heat, smoke, or other workplace risks associated with climate change. This may also mean public subsidies for employees who lose their jobs because of legislation pushed by environmental groups.

Sadly, while CLCJ is demanding a safety net for workers, there is no safety net for companies that are shutting their doors. For example, this week the Sacramento Business Journal included the following headlines:

• Manufacturer closing Woodland operation, moving work to Mexico
• Region's largest tech employer plans more layoffs
• Telecom company to cut 94 local jobs next week
• This Rocklin therapy center is closing, laying off 96 workers
• Big solar installer plans to cut its staff by 50 in Sacramento
• Chipmaker Solidigm announces layoffs at Rancho Cordova headquarters

There are several reasons companies are moving, downsizing, or closing. This includes the high cost of doing business in California – which is going up with almost every new state law supported by environmental groups or labor unions.

Industry News

California’s Economic Outlook Worsens as Newsom Travels Overseas

Governor Newsom is currently visiting Israel and China while California's economy is experiencing an economic slowdown.

Cal Matters reports that California's latest employment report, issued last week for September, revealed a decrease in the number of employed Californians compared to the previous year. Concurrently, the number of unemployed individuals rose by 144,100. The state's unemployment rate also inched up to 4.7%, ranking as the second highest among all states. Meanwhile, the labor force, encompassing those employed or actively seeking employment, continued its decline. Additionally, California's population has decreased by half a million people.

The ongoing exodus of California's residents, whatever the underlying reasons, has adverse financial repercussions for the state, particularly in terms of income tax revenues. Governor Newsom and the state legislators dealt with a $35 billion deficit in the 2023-24 budget adopted in June, and they anticipate another $15 billion gap for the 2024-25 fiscal year.

Compounding the financial challenges, the six-month delay in the income tax filing deadline, from April to October, has made revenue forecasting challenging, and more guesswork than usual. The deadline was pushed back another month just last week. This means Governor Newsom will have limited data as he finalizes his proposed 2024-25 budget in December.

USDA Bolsters Investments in International Trade and Food Aid

USDA Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced earlier this week that the department is providing $2.3 billion to help American producers maintain and develop markets for their commodities and use U.S. commodities to bolster international food aid.

USDA states that consistent with a bipartisan request from the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, they are utilizing $1.3 billion in funds from the Commodity Credit Corporation for the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (RAPP) and support for specialty crop industries, to diversify export markets.

The program will be modeled after the existing USDA Market Access Program and will help expand existing markets and develop new markets for agricultural commodities and specialty crops. 

Wine Industry Fires Back Against the WHO's 'Zero Safety' Alcohol Policy

The global wine industry is facing serious threats from both scientific and medical misinformation that is currently being used to drive a neo-Prohibitionist agenda — that there is no safe level of alcohol consumption.

In February 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a statement saying that “no level of alcohol is safe for our health.” The statement from the WHO is based on research from the Global Burden of Disease.

As the WHO’s views are the basis for the alcohol policies of many countries, this statement is leading to anti-alcohol guidelines globally. The Lifestyle, Diet, Wine & Health conference held in Toledo, Spain, brought together some of the world’s top experts on wine and health, to address the WHO's alcohol policies.

Throughout the Lifestyle, Diet, Wine & Health conference, the speakers also tore the research apart, saying that it had failed to account for different populations and modes of drinking. According to the scientists and doctors who were presenting, there is no question that small amounts of alcohol have cardiovascular protective effects.

The biggest issue now is that debunking misinformation takes more effort than spreading it.

TIME Recognizes CAL FIRE AI & AlertCalifornia as a Best Invention of 2023

An innovative partnership between CAL FIRE and UC San Diego's AlertCalifornia utilizing article intelligence (AI) to recognize wildfires was recognized by TIME magazine as one of 2023's Best Inventions.

CAL FIRE’s Wildfire AI Detector and UC San Diego’s AlertCalifornia utilizes AI to monitor more than 1,000 cameras to detect wildfires throughout California, allowing CAL FIRE to respond quicker. Prior to 911 calls coming in, 77 wildfires have been detected throughout the state in the last four months alone through the use of the cameras. In 2019, Governor Newsom funded the first 100 cameras for this project.

“California is fighting fires smarter, combining cutting-edge technology with a world-class firefighting force – all to better protect our communities. CAL FIRE has been spearheading this effort from the very beginning, proactively partnering with UC San Diego and embracing innovation in their constant efforts to make California more resilient to wildfires,” said Governor Newsom.

All Employers Must Use the Revised Form I-9 Starting Nov. 1

Reminder: Starting on November 1st, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept the new Forms I-9 and I-129 when completing the employment eligibility verification process.

The updated Form I-9 reflects the option for eligible employers to verify employment eligibility remotely. This edition is available now, and starting November 1, all previous versions will no longer be accepted. If you do not use the 8/01/23 edition of Form I-9, you may be subject to penalties.

More information can be found here.

A Warm, Wet El Nino Winter is in Store For California and Much of the U.S.

Federal scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have predicted that a warm, wet winter driven by El Niño is in store for California and much of the rest of the country following a summer of record heat, wildfire, and unseasonable storms.

The NOAA predicts that a strong El Niño will remain in place through the spring, with further strengthening possible over the next few months. From December through February, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions for portions of the Western United States along with other regions throughout the country.

“The anticipated strong El Niño is the predominant climate factor driving the U.S. winter outlook this year,” said Jon Gottschalck, chief of the operational prediction branch at NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center.

NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center updates the three-month outlook each month. The next update will be available on November 16. 

Eight Picked for California North Coast Women in Wine Awards

The North Bay Business Journal has announced the winners of its first Women in Wine Awards program. The recipients, representing various within the wine industry, will be recognized on November 8, at Louis M. Martini Winery in St. Helena.

Among the award recipients are CAWG Members and past CAWG Board Directors.

• Impactful Leader Award: Karissa Kruse, CEO, Sonoma County Winegrowers and former CAWG director
• Heart of the Community Award: Carrie Mauritson, Director of Hospitality, Mauritson Wines

Tickets for the awards event are available for purchase.

Generational Farmers

Sonoma County's vineyards and agricultural industry hold a unique place in the heart of California, for many reasons including location, diverse microclimates, and the wide array of crops produced. Another is the tradition of multigenerational farming. Today, 95% of the county's vineyards are family-owned and operated, ranging from large enterprises like Jackson Family and Gallo to smaller, family-run businesses.

Among the many multigenerational farmers is Sangiacomo Family Vineyards, CAWG's 2024 Grower of the Year. Additionally, several CAWG Board Directors and members, including Serres Ranch, Mauritson Family Wines, Balletto Ranch, and more, stand as great examples of the multigenerational farming legacy present in Sonoma County.

To learn more about the inspiring stories of these families and their enduring commitment to agriculture in an article published by Sonoma County Winegrowers.

Upcoming Events and Trainings

Biochar: Observed Vineyard Impact & Practical Insights for Application Webinar

This presentation will provide an overview of biochar, impacts observed to vineyards in NYS and beyond, and practical insights into its application in perennial systems from Debbie Aller, PhD, Extension Associate at Cornell University.

Biochar is a charcoal-like material produced from organic waste materials through a process called pyrolysis. Biochar is being used in viticulture globally and has been shown to improve productivity through improved plant and soil health without negatively impacting grape quality or wine flavor.

When and Where:

• November 6, 6 AM, Virtual

Register

Napa Valley Grapegrowers ROOTSTOCK Conference

ROOTSTOCK is an end-of-harvest conference and an opportunity for industry colleagues to connect and hear from experts in the field. The primary focus of this year's conference will be on herbicides including the history of herbicide use in vineyards and agriculture, the public perception, the various forms of its use, alternatives offered, a case study, and regulatory plans that will take effect in the future.

When and Where:

• November 6-7, Napa Valley College Performing Arts Center

Register

Malcolm Media's Tree and Vine Expo

The annual Tree and Vine Expo will include an industry trade show, State of the Almond, Pecan, Pistachio, Walnut & Wine Grape Industry presentations and seminars on Pesticide Regulatory Changes to Prepare For, Whole Orchard Recycling, AI Vineyard Management, Comparing Pomegranate Irrigation Requirements, Tree & Vine Disease Management, Vine & Rootstock Pairing, Navel Orangeworm & Vine Mealybug IPM, On-Farm Wildlife Management, and New & Upcoming Ag Legislation. 

Michael Miiller, CAWG's Director of Government Relations, will provide the Ag Legislation Update at 11:30 AM. The full agenda is posted online. 

When and Where:

• November 7, Stanislaus County Fair

Registration is free

CAWG Wine Reception and Dinner Celebrating Outgoing Chairman Tom Slater

Join the CAWG Board of Directors as we gather for an evening of wine, food, networking, and camaraderie to celebrate the outstanding leadership and contributions of outgoing CAWG Chair Tom Slater and the six departing CAWG directors. 

CAWG looks forward to a night of celebration, reflecting on Tom's unwavering commitment, leadership, and dedication to not only CAWG, but the entire winegrape industry. 

A special thank you to Relation Insurance, NAU Country, and Farm Credit for their sponsorship of the dinner. 

When and Where:

• November 8, Prelude Kitchen and Bar, Downtown Sacramento

RSVP

Questions? Email Jenny Devine

Malcolm Media's Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo

The annual Grape, Nut & Tree expo will include an industry trade show, State of the Raisin, Table Grape, Wine, Almond, Walnut, Pistachio, Pecan & Tree Fruit Industry presentations and seminars on On-Farm Groundwater Recharge, Crop Load Management, Spatial Soil Variability, Powdery Mildew/Bunch Rot Management, Pistachio Dormancy Research, Almond Nutrient Management, New DOV Raisin Varieties, Chill Accumulation in Cherry, Laws & Regulations, and Weed Management in a Wet Year. PCA and CCA credits are available.

The full agenda is posted online. 

When and Where:

• November 10, Big Fresno Fair County Fair

Registration is free

Agrichemical Remote Sensing to Improve Sustainable Grape Disease Management Webinar

Join Dr. Katie Gold, Assistant Professor of Grape Pathology at Cornell University as she presents her research findings on Agrichemical Remote Sensing to Improve Sustainable Grape Disease Management.

Dr. Gold’s Grape Sensing, Pathology, and Extension Lab at Cornell studies the fundamental and applied science of plant disease and plant-microbe interaction sensing to improve integrated grape disease management. The Gold Lab specializes in the use of in situ and imaging spectroscopy (also known as hyperspectral imaging) deployed at a range of spatial scales, from proximal, autonomous rovers to spacecraft, to characterize asymptomatic disease physiology and the impacts of management intervention on early grape disease detection.

When and Where:

• November 13, 6 AM, Virtual

Register

New CA Laws for 2024: What Employers Need to Know Webinar

Join CAWG and Fisher Phillips for a webinar providing a roundup of new state labor legislation, guidelines, and regulations that recently took effect or will take effect in January 2024.

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, along with Michael Miiller, CAWG’s Director of Government Relations.

When and Where:

• December 12, 10 AM, Virtual

Register

November

8 - CAWG Board Meeting & Outgoing Chairman Dinner

December

12 - New CA Laws for 2024: What Employers Need to Know Webinar

January

23-25 - Unified Wine & Grape Symposium

STAY CONNECTED