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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:
- Political Billboards in Vineyards
- Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs Found in the Finger Lakes (New York)
- eAlert: Initiative Aimed at Securing Banking Relief for Agricultural Producers
Industry News:
- USDA Announces Application Deadline for Emergency Relief Program Assistance for Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters
- Sonoma Winegrowers Reach for On-Farm Efficiency
- Clear Lake Information Order Report 2 due August 31, 2024
- DPR Seeks Comments on Modifications to Reg on Statewide Pesticide Application Notification System
- Ciatti California Market Report, July 2024
- Monterey County Crop and Livestock Report 2023
Upcoming Events:
- Lodi Grape Harvest Safety Seminar
- Webinar: Establishing a Dry-Farmed Vineyard
- Webinar: New PAGA Amendments: What Does It Mean for Agricultural Employers?
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Countdown to CAWG's 50th Celebration
Countdown to #CAWG50 - In March 1979, the CAWG Board began planning "a goodwill trip to Washington, DC” to engage with the California Congressional delegation and other key figures.
This trip, organized with help from Fresno-based Allied Grape Growers and its President Robert McInturf—a CAWG Director and founding member—marked the beginning of an enduring tradition. Today, CAWG's annual trip to the nation’s capital continues, providing a vital platform to network and present grower concerns at the national level.
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Political Billboards in Vineyards
Going into the November election, a grower may think they have a First Amendment right to put up a roadside billboard supporting a candidate for elected office. However, in some circumstances, SB 399 (Wahab, D-San Leandro) (which is pending in Sacramento) could deem a billboard a form of prohibited and coerced political speech at work.
The stated goal of SB 399 is to ensure that no employer can subject their employees to the employer’s political rhetoric as employees perform their day-to-day tasks—an honest day’s pay does not include being subjected to your boss’s rants on who should be president of the United States.
However, SB 399 is so loosely drafted that it goes far beyond its stated purpose. For example, the following could present potential problems for growers under SB 399:
- Under the billboard example discussed above, employees could complain that the billboard is offensive and demand to be reassigned to a vineyard away from the billboard.
- If a wine tasting room hosts a political event, employees could refuse to work (and demand full wages for those pre-scheduled hours).
- If a grower discusses pending regulations in Sacramento (to train employees for what is needed to comply) employees could claim that they were forced to hear rhetoric about a pending regulation that was not even adopted yet.
CAWG is opposed to SB 399, which will be one of the last bills deliberated in the 2023-24 legislative session. Defeating this bill is a top priority for the reasons above. Consequently, CAWG may be asking growers to engage on this issue before the legislature adjourns at the end of August.
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Spotted Lanternfly Nymphs Found in the Finger Lakes
Last week, Spotted Lanternfly (SLF) nymphs were found in Romulus, NY when a member of the public notified the NYS IPM Program and Finger Lakes Grape Program. A follow-up inspection by an inspector from New York’s Department of Ag & Markets confirmed the finding. The inspector only found small numbers of nymphs at the site, but their presence indicates that they very likely hatched in the area this spring, and are likely there to stay.
The Cornell IPM program recommended that growers be active in scouting for Tree of Heaven. Start scouting treelines around vineyard blocks to identify any Tree of Heaven (TOH). While SLF can feed on many different plants, they have a special relationship with TOH. It’s likely the first plant on which you will find SLF, and females can produce more offspring if they feed on TOH than if they don’t.
Scouting vineyards in September and October for SLF is especially important, as this is when the spotted lanternfly adults move into vineyards from surrounding trees. Females will also be laying eggs on just about anything they find at that time.
California residents are encouraged to report any SLF findings, nymphs (now) or adults (starting sometime in August), to the CDFA Pest Hotline at 1-800-491-1899.
The Lodi Winegrape Commission put together a website with resources on identifying and managing both SLF and Tree of Heaven.
Additional news articles about SLF and its potential impact in CA.
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eAlert: Initiative Aimed at Securing Banking Relief for Agricultural Producers
This week, CAWG issued an eAlert about banking relief for agricultural producers. CAWG is supporting an initiative aimed at securing federal relief for banks to lend money to agricultural producers.
CAWG, as an association, will be signing on in support of this initiative and is asking that any growers who would like their names included in CAWG’s letter of support, please complete this form. A list of all names and related companies will be included in a package that will be delivered to Congressman John Duarte, requesting his assistance in advancing this matter for the agricultural industry.
Please do not hesitate to share with additional growers who may be interested in supporting this initiative.
Sign On in Support
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Quote of the Week
"According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), there are 57 large active wildfires in the western U.S. and evacuation orders are in place for residents of Utah, Idaho, California, Oregon, and Washington as of July 18."
Read more about the impact of wildfires in USDA's Water and Climate Update.
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USDA Announces Application Deadline for Emergency Relief Program Assistance for Producers Impacted by 2022 Natural Disasters
This week, USDA announced that the deadline for commodity and specialty crop producers to apply for the Emergency Relief Program (ERP) for 2022 natural disaster losses is Aug. 14, 2024.
ERP 2022 covers losses to crops, trees, bushes, and vines due to qualifying calendar year 2022 natural disaster events including wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, excessive heat, tornadoes, winter storms, freeze (including a polar vortex), smoke exposure, excessive moisture, qualifying drought, and related conditions.
For both ERP 2022 tracks, all producers must have certain required forms on file with FSA within 60 days of the August 14 application deadline. If not already on file, producers can update, complete, and submit the required forms to FSA by Tuesday, October 15, 2024.
ERP 2022 eligibility details and payment calculation factor tables are available on FSA’s Emergency Relief webpage, in the ERP Track 1 and ERP Track 2 fact sheets, and through the FSA at your local USDA Service Center.
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Sonoma Winegrowers Reach for On-Farm Efficiency
Sonoma County Winegrowers are embracing new technologies through partnerships to boost efficiency and sustainability in their operations. The group has initiated several projects, including a five-year agreement with Wilbur-Ellis to utilize SoilOptix gamma ray readers for planning soil amendments and cover crops across seven farms with distinct soil and climate characteristics.
Growers are also collaborating with Agrology, a platform featuring a carbon sensor that measures real-time water-holding capacity and soil temperature in the canopy. John Deere has also been involved, piloting its Smart Apply Intelligent Spray Control System on six farms. This system, an add-on for air-blast sprayers, aims to reduce chemical drift and decrease the amount of product used.
These partnerships are part of the Sonoma County Winegrowers' "Farm of the Future" initiative, focusing on sustainable farming practices, soil and vine health, site-specific crop goals, and improving vineyard longevity.
Read more here.
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Clear Lake Information Order Report 2 due August 31, 2024
If you are required to submit Report 2 under the Clear Lake Information Order, reporting will open on August 1, 2024.
Additional reporting information is provided below:
- For those reporting through the State Water Board, a link to the reporting platform will be posted on the Clear Lake Information Order website by August 1, 2024.
- For those participating in the Lake County Farm Bureau Alternative Compliance Pathway, Rebecca Harper will be reaching out with reporting instructions.
Visit Clear Lake Information Order webpage for more information about the Clear Lake Information Order including what to prepare for Report 2.
Please email ClearLakeHitch@waterboards.ca.gov or call (916) 341-5355 with any questions.
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DPR Seeks Comments on Modifications to Reg on Statewide Pesticide Application Notification System
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has unveiled modifications to its proposed pesticide application notification regulation. This regulation aims to establish a system for reporting of pesticides used in agriculture. DPR has invited public feedback on the proposed changes through a 30-day comment period and three public hearings. After this period, DPR will finalize the regulation and system design, with plans to implement the notification system statewide in the first quarter of 2025.
The final hearing on July 23 will be held at the Shafter Your Center (455 E Euclid Ave, Shafter, CA 93263).
DPR is accepting written comments, which can be submitted online through the department’s public comment portal, by mail, or provided by email to dpr23003@cdpr.ca.gov, through August 1.
Once finalized, DPR will submit the regulation to the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) for review and approval. Further details and the proposed revisions are available on the DPR website.
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Ciatti California Market Report, July 2024
Ciatti Company Wine Brokers released their July Report detailing their assessment of California's bulk wine and grape markets.
"Following a pleasant May and early June, much of California began experiencing a record heat spell in late June through the first half of July. The prolonged heat may potentially have slowed sugar accumulation and slightly affected yields in the vineyards, but as the growing cycle was running up to three or four weeks ahead of where it was in 2023, and water supplies are good after a wet winter, the heat is not yet – as of the time of writing on July 15th – a significant concern."
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Monterey County Crop and Livestock Report 2023
Earlier this week, the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner released the 2023 Annual Crop and Livestock Report for the County of Monterey. This report reflects a production gross value of all ag commodities at $4,353,338,000 which is a decrease of 6.1% from 2022.
Winegrapes were Monterey County's 5th largest commodity by value. Winegrape crop value and acreage can be found on page 10.
The full report is available in English and Spanish.
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Upcoming Events and Trainings | |
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Lodi Grape Harvest Safety Seminar
The annual Lodi Grape Harvest Safety Seminar is offered FREE of charge to Crush District 11 grape growers and their employees courtesy of the Lodi District Grape Growers Association and the Lodi Winegrape Commission. A variety of topics including night work safety and heat illness prevention will be covered.
RSVP to LDGGA at 209.339.8246 or info@ldgga.org. Specify your company name and number of attendees per session (English or Spanish).
When and Where:
- July 25, 2024 - 8 AM - 12 PM, Jackson Hall, Lodi District Grape Festival Grounds (413 Lockeford St., Lodi, CA)
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Establishing a Dry-Farmed Vineyard Webinar
Join California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and Community Alliance with Family Farmers for a webinar on establishing a dry-farmed vineyard in coastal regions. Included is a discussion on rootstock selection, land preparation, vine spacing, planting process and a watering regimen for the first two years of a dry-farmed vineyard.
Panelists include Riggs Lokka from Emeritus Vineyards, Jordon Lonborg from Tablas Creek Vineyard, Tod Mostero from Dominus Winery, and Rory Williams from Frog’s Leap Winery.
When and Where:
- August 8, 2024 - 10 AM, Vitrual
Register Here
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New PAGA Amendments: What Does It Mean for Agricultural Employers? Webinar
Join Fisher Phillips as they discuss the new California Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) amendments and how they will affect Agricultural employers.
PAGA will see an overhaul that would limit the types of employees who could bring claims, give employers a better chance to cure mistakes, reduce possible penalties, and boost procedural mechanisms that would reduce claims in court. This presentation will review the amendments, outline proactive steps companies can take under the law to reduce penalties, and discuss how these amendments impact businesses on a day-to-day basis.
When and Where:
- August 13, 2024 - 12-1 PM, Vitrual
Register Here
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