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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:
- Make an Impact: Join CAWG for Advocacy Day - March 25
- The Latest on Trump’s Immigration Crackdown – and the Reality of Limited Resources
- CAWG Foundation Scholarships - Deadline to Apply Feb. 28
- Trump Roll Backs
- Creating a Climate Change Price Tag
- Low Carbon Fuel Standards Rejected
- CAWG's January/February Issue of The Crush Newsletter
Industry News:
- USDA-ARS Researcher Cuts Impact Key Grape Research Areas
- Trump Nominates David Keeling to Lead OSHA: 7 Things Employers Need to Know
- Applications Open for California Ag Leadership Program Class 55
- GO-Biz Hosting Webinars on $214.7 Million in Available Tax Credits
Upcoming Events:
- UC Davis Viticulture & Enology - On the Road Programs
- Spotted Lanternfly Summit
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Make an Impact: Join CAWG for Advocacy Day - March 25
The California winegrape industry is facing never-before-seen challenges—now is your chance to be part of the solution!
CAWG has a strong voice in Sacramento. But there is nothing like policymakers hearing directly from you -- The boots on the ground in our industry. Especially when those boots are from their community. CAWG’s 2025 Advocacy Day brings growers and industry leaders together for a day of grassroots lobbying, where you'll meet face-to-face with key legislators, staff, and regulators to drive legislative change.
Led by CAWG Director of Government Relations Michael Miiller and Jack Gualco of The Gualco Group, Inc., this event is designed to be informative, productive, and impactful.
After Advocacy Day, join us for a reception at the CAWG office, where you can network with fellow growers, legislators, and Newsom Administration officials while enjoying California wines.
Make your voice heard—join CAWG and help shape the future of our industry!
Register Today!
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The Latest on Trump’s Immigration Crackdown – and the Reality of Limited Resources
Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration three weeks ago, the U.S. has seen an increase in arrests and deportations of undocumented immigrants. However, the administration is beginning to be limited by the resources the administration has, or will have, to continue to operate at the current pace. For instance, the speed of deportations has already been criticized by President Trump and has increased pressure on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to deport more individuals. Specifically, as of last week, two top Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials within ICE’s enforcement division were demoted.
Q: How many people have been arrested and detained?
A: As of February 3, DHS posted its agents have arrested 8,768 people and deported 5,693 individuals. However, the administration has hit space limits and has resulted in the release of over 400 individuals released from custody. Currently, without additional congressional funding, the operation has enough capacity to hold 41,500 detainees at any given time at 106 facilities nationally, costing $57,378 annually per detention bed. In light of the limited space available, the administration has ordered further efforts to support their campaign including opening up the Guantanamo Bay facility to house approximately 30,000 migrants awaiting deportation.
Q: How much is this costing?
A: Republicans in Congress, moving forward with their budget reconciliation plans, have allocated hundreds of billions of dollars in the respective House and Senate bills to address immigration and border security matters. However, President Trump has commented that there “is no price tag” on the cost of his administration’s detention and deportation campaign. ICE’s average cost during the Biden Administration was approximately $10,500 per deportation, including the arrest, detention, and deportation flight costs. Moreover, in a 2023 budget hearing, the acting ICE Director said deportation flights cost $17,000 per flight hour for 135 migrants deported and last five hours.
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CAWG Foundation Scholarships - Deadline to Apply Feb. 28
Each year, the CAWG Foundation awards six scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower.
The six scholarships are for either a University of California or California State University Four Year Program ($8,000 each) or a California Community College Two Year Program ($2,000 each). Students may study the subject of their choice.
In addition, one Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship is awarded each year. The Robert Miller Memorial Scholarship provides either $500 for Alan Hancock College or $1,000 for Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (see the link below for the eligibility and study subject requirements of this scholarship).
Since its inception in 1998, the CAWG Foundation has been committed to supporting the children of vineyard employees who are looking to pursue a higher education. Generous donations from CAWG members and the California wine community fund the scholarship program.
The application deadline is February 28, 2025 - Learn more and encourage high school seniors to apply!
Save the Date for the 6th Annual CAWG Foundation Scholarship Golf Tournament - May 12 at the Stockton Country Club. Sponsorship opportunities are available!
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Trump Roll Backs
In the 2017/2018 legislative session, there were dozens of bills in the California legislature that would “protect against Trump roll backs.” The idea being that if President Trump reduces or eliminates stringent environmental federal laws, California would automatically cut and paste those federal laws into state law. Fast forward eight years, and we find that history is repeating itself.
For example, this week, AB 794 (Gabriel, D-Los Angeles) was introduced to block any regulatory changes under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. There is growing concern that such federal changes could disproportionately harm poor communities. This is why Mr. Gabriel is proposing to allow for the adoption of emergency state regulations that would be expedited through the regulatory process and take effect immediately after it is approved.
Regardless of potential merits, AB 794 is an example of the kind of legislation that will be debated in the California Legislature in response to potential actions by President Trump.
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Creating a Climate Change Price Tag
SB 222 (Weiner, D-San Francisco) proposes to allow Californians to file lawsuits seeking damages related to climate-related events affecting businesses and other entities that have used, sold, or been associated with fossil fuel products. These climate events would include extreme weather, wildfires, and rising sea levels. Such litigation would drive up grower costs for fuel, energy, fertilizers, and more.
SB 222 would effectively turn climate change policy into litigation, with damage awards determined through the courts rather than through a regulatory framework. The California Center for Jobs & The Economy did a deep dive into SB 222 and determined potential damage claims exceeding $300 billion annually. Please see the report below:
Special Report: Consumer & Fiscal Impacts of SB 222:
Download Executive Summary
Download Full Report
Download Fact Sheet
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Revised Low Carbon Fuel Standards Rejected
The recently updated clean air rules, which were expected to raise California gas prices substantially, are officially on hold. According to a market notice posted on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) website, their proposed changes to the Low Carbon Fuel Standards (LCFS) were rejected this week by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL).
Last fall, the updated LCFS were quite controversial. CARB approved the new standards just days after the November election without providing an explanation of how the changes would change gas prices. After initially saying the updated standards could result in an increase of 47 cents per gallon, CARB walked the number back, but then refused to analyze the potential cost impacts to motorists.
OAL seldom rejects proposed regulations. But, in this case, OAL asserted that CARB’s fiscal analysis of the proposed regulation was incomplete. CARB reports that they plan to address the concerns raised by OAL and then resubmit the LCFS amendments to OAL within 120 days.
In related news this week: Senator Hurtado (D-Bakersfield) proposed SB 441 to provide that any member of the CARB board may be removed from office by the Legislature.
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CAWG's January/February Issue of The Crush Newsletter
Earlier today, the January/February issue of The Crush Newsletter was released.
ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS
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Feature Article: Unified State of the Industry
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Federal Update: Fair and Reciprocal Trade Plan, ARS Smoke Research Terminations, Brooke Rollins Confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Agriculture
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State Update: Wine's Sputnik Moment
- Climate Change Tools and Resources
- Live Music Benefiting the CAWG PAC
- CAWG 2025 Awards of Excellence Reception
- Remembering Dr. Anita Oberholster
- Feb. 28 - Last Chance to Insure Your Winegrape Crop Revenue
- Support the Upcoming PD/GWSS Referendum
- Immigration Legislation and Red Cards for AG Employees
- 2024 Crush Report
- CAWG Foundation Scholarships
- Webinar Recordings
- Advertise in CAWG's Membership Directory
- Specialty Crop Producers - Workforce Survey
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Associate Member Spotlight: Robotiq
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Ads: Relation Insurance
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USDA-ARS Researcher Cuts Impact Key Grape Research Areas
As part of the Trump Administration's efforts to reduce the federal workforce by 10%, at least seven ARS scientists working in critical grape research areas received termination notices. Among those impacted were two lead researchers focused on the effects of wildfire smoke on the wine industry, who were based at UC Davis. ARS implemented cuts to all probationary staff with fewer than three years of service, regardless of performance.
In response, CAWG has been actively building coalition support to ensure that the vital research conducted by ARS continues.
Additional grape research areas affected by the cuts include:
- Grape Breeding (Parlier, CA and Geneva, NY)
- Grapevine Viral Diseases (Parlier, CA)
- Precision Viticulture (Prosser, WA)
- Agricultural Pests, including Vine Mealybug (Hilo, HI)
In a recent Wine Business article, CAWG President Natalie Collins highlighted the significance of these losses. “This is a huge loss for us because Arran, who led the research at ARS and was stationed at UC Davis, has been a driving force in bringing people together. We have spent years securing funding for smoke research, and we finally had a dedicated smoke researcher.”
Dr. Rumbaugh noted that her termination halts vital research aimed at developing real-time smoke risk assessment tools for growers. Adding to these current challenges, the recent passing of Dr. Anita Oberholster of UC Davis leaves California without a designated lead researcher focused on wildfire smoke impacts on winegrapes.
Congressman Mike Thompson condemned the terminations in a press release, warning that they undermine a decade of research progress and hinder growers’ ability to recover from wildfires.
Meanwhile, the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF) is exploring options to restore this critical research. CAWG President Natalie Collins, who serves as WCSETF Co-Chair, will keep CAWG members informed as updates become available.
Additional Coverage on the Federal Workforce Cuts:
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Quote of the Week
Poppies, and Redwoods, and Bigfoot, oh my!
“It is the intent of the Legislature to enact legislation that would designate Bigfoot as the official state cryptid.” AB 666 (Rogers, D-Santa Rosa)
NOTE: A cryptid is “a creature that some people believe exists but that has not been proven to exist.”
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Trump Nominates David Keeling to Lead OSHA: 7 Things Employers Need to Know
President Donald Trump has nominated David Keeling, a workplace safety veteran with experience at UPS and Amazon, as the next Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA. His appointment could bring shifts in workplace safety policy, enforcement priorities, and regulatory focus.
CAWG Associate Member Fisher Phillips LLP has put together key takeaways on what Keeling's leadership could mean for workplace safety and what employers should expect.
Read the full article here.
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Applications Open for California Ag Leadership Program Class 55
Applications are now being accepted for Class 55 of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. Applicants should be mid-career growers, farmers, ranchers, horticulturalists, foresters, and/or individuals working in other areas of California’s agricultural industry. More than 1,400 individuals have participated in the 17-month program.
More information and the application can be found here. Phase one of the three-phase application process is due no later than April 1, 2025.
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GO-Biz Hosting Webinars on $214.7 Million in Available Tax Credits
The next California Competes Tax Credit application period opens on February 24, 2025, with at least $214.7 million available for businesses looking to expand in California. To assist applicants, GO-Biz is hosting webinars explaining the application process.
The application deadline is March 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. and businesses can apply starting February 24 at www.calcompetes.ca.gov.
Upcoming Webinars
Additional resources, including an application guide, FAQs, program regulations, and a webinar presentation, are available here.
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Upcoming Events and Trainings | |
UC Davis Viticulture & Enology - On the Road Programs
The UC Davis Viticulture & Enology Department is hosting On The Road programs in Stanislaus, San Joaquin, and Sonoma Counties. The On The Road programs provide an opportunity for UC Davis to communicate and present relevant topics with the California grape and wine industries by bringing faculty to different regions of California.
When and Where:
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March 5 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties - Robert Cabral Agricultural Center, Stockton - Agenda & Registration
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March 19 - 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM: Sonoma County - Sonoma County Farm Bureau, Santa Rosa - Agenda and Registration
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Spotted Lanternfly Summit
The annual Spotted Lanternfly Summitt will include three days of presentations and discussions to learn about Spotted Lanternfly research and management.
When and Where:
- March 11-13, 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM - Zoom
Register Here
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