YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Cheers to the 27th Annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium! |
TRADE SHOW IS STILL OPEN! If you haven't had a chance to visit the virtual trade show, check it out tomorrow (Jan. 29 / 8-11 a.m.).
THANK YOU to all of the CAWG members who participated, supported, organized and presented at this week’s 27th annual Unified Wine & Grape Symposium. We missed the traditional in-person format, but we hope the virtual format was still valuable for you and your business or organization. The February and March issues of The Crush will include feature articles on some of the sessions.
PLEASE TAKE THE SURVEYS: Attendees are strongly encouraged to take the brief online surveys for the sessions. Your responses are important for future planning. A general post-conference survey – to be emailed soon to all session registrants – will enable you to rate and comment on all aspects of the event.
2022 UNIFIED - SAVE THE DATES! Next year's event will be Jan. 25-27 (exhibits Jan. 26-27). We anticipate a return to our traditional format and enthusiastically look forward to seeing everyone IN PERSON!
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Cal/OSHA ETS Hearing Update |
Today, the legal challenge to the emergency temporary standards (ETS) – for protection against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace – was heard in its first judicial hearing. CAWG is a plaintiff in this case.
The lengthy hearing involved testimony from CAWG, other plaintiffs and the state. Earlier today, a judge issued a tentative ruling declining to issue a stay against the ETS, indicating deference to the state during the present COVID-19 emergency.
However, the hearing involved additional substantial information, and it is not clear where the court is headed. Ultimately, Judge Ethan Schulman asked for additional filings in advance of a hearing on Feb. 11, 2021.
CAWG Director of Government Relations Michael Miiller has been asked to serve on Cal/OSHA’s advisory committee for the COVID-19 ETS. The committee will provide input on proposed changes to the ETS and will consist of about 30 individuals from business and industry, labor and community groups, public agencies and the health sciences.
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- Continue vaccinating all persons in phase 1a. (healthcare workers and long-term care residents)
- Begin vaccinating persons 65 years of age or older. Based on available supply, prioritize and target outreach efforts as follows:
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Age: With persons 75 years or older prioritized due to increased risk of mortality and other severe disease
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Occupational Risk Exposure: Individuals working in sectors in phase 1b, tier 1 with high occupational exposure (education and childcare, emergency services and food and ag)
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Residence in vulnerable communities: As determined by the California Healthy Places Index (CHPI) or comparable local health department knowledge, to address equity and communities disproportionately affected by the pandemic.
Things are confusing on the surface, as those 75 or older appear to be covered twice as they are also over 65. Additionally, CHPI is not a criterion in 1a, 1b or 1c. In general, the new approach appears to switch from an effort to slow the spread to also focus on reducing the mortality rate.
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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Watch: COVID-19 Vaccine – How it Will Impact Your Workplace and Business Operations
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HOSTS: CAWG and Wine Institute
PRESENTERS: Mark S. Goldstein and Ronnie Shou of Reed Smith LLP discussed legal issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine, including the permissibility of mandatory employee vaccination policies and other workplace issues triggered by the vaccine.
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
>REGIONAL STAY AT HOME ORDER
>COUNTY DATA AS OF JAN. 26:
Widespread (purple) = 54
Substantial (red) = 3
Moderate (orange) = 1
Minimal (yellow) = 0
Jan. 27
ABC7, Jan. 26
Jan. 26
CA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
CAWG
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With over 30 harvests, the G3 Ag Team has deep experience in winegrape hauling. Our operational expertise and agile planning combine to provide responsive service for wineries and grape growers large and small. Click on image or here to view video.
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REMINDER: Sign Up for Crop Insurance! |
Many growers view crop insurance as their most important risk management tool. If you are planning to purchase winegrape crop insurance, you must sign up no later than Monday, Feb. 1 to have coverage for the 2021 crop year. For more information, visit the CAWG website or contact Pan American’s Greg Merrill (760) 485-0456 or Kristine Fox at (559) 381-8981.
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State Water Board Imposes First Statewide Rules for Winery Wastewater |
The State Water Resources Control Board on Jan. 21 adopted a general order for how wastewater is processed and discharged at winery locations in an effort to safeguard groundwater and surface water from wastewater discharges. The action comes after a five-year effort that included feedback from wine industry stakeholders. The Wine Institute estimates 2,036 of the 3,612 bonded wineries in California will be subject to the new regulations.
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PD/GWSS Board and PD Advisory Task Force Meeting |
The joint meeting will include the election of officers; updates on membership, research program, outreach and education, area-wide program; and staff reports.
WHEN: Friday, Jan. 29 / 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
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Wine Shipments to Consumers Reach Record $3.7B in 2020 |
- U.S. wineries shipped more than $3.7 billion worth of wine DtC.
- Largest year over year volume increase (27%).
- Largest decrease in a decade (-9.5%) in average bottle price.
- Cheaper varietals prevailed.
- Early pandemic gains translated into sustained DtC momentum in late 2020.
- Sonoma had the biggest volume gains.
- Large wineries continued to gain DtC market share.
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Hearing Scheduled for Ag Secretary Nominee Tom Vilsack |
The Senate Ag Committee on Feb. 2 (10:30 a.m. ET) will hold a hearing to consider the nomination of Tom Vilsack for USDA secretary. Vilsack previously served as ag secretary for the entire eight years of the Obama administration.
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New CA Plan to Reduce Wildfire Risks, Improve Forest Health |
Gov. Newsom’s Forest Management Task Force earlier this month issued a 45-page Wildfire and Forest Resilience Action Plan to reduce wildfire risk for vulnerable communities, improve the health of forests and wildlands, and accelerate action to combat climate change. The overall goal is to increase the pace and scale of forest management and wildfire resilience efforts by 2025 and beyond. The action plan sets state and federal goals and describes a number of activities to work towards achieving these goals.
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Epic Atmospheric River Pounds CA:
Stay Safe and Be Prepared!
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California needs rain, but this week’s all-at-once massive storm can cause dangerous flooding and mudslides (especially in regions with wildfire burn scars). Helpful resources to utilize:
>PG&E (storm/outage/safety tips)
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Generate Cash Incentives for Charging Your Electric Material and Cargo Handling Equipment |
WHEN: Tuesday, Feb. 2 / 10 – 11 a.m.
HOSTS: CAWG and e-Mission Control
ABOUT: You will learn how your company can participate in the California Air Resources Board’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard Program and start receiving incentive payments as early as April 2021. You will also hear about other vehicle and infrastructure funding opportunities, including rebate programs and grants.
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Post Form 300A Starting on Feb. 1 |
Cal/OSHA is reminding all eligible employers to post their 2020 annual summary of work-related injuries and illnesses (Form 300A) from Feb. 1 through April 30. Instructions and form templates can be downloaded from Cal/OSHA’s recordkeeping overview, which gives instructions on completing the log (Form 300) and annual summary (Form 300A). The annual summary must be placed in a visible and easily accessible area at each worksite.
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California Ag Leadership Program Seeks Applicants for Class 51 |
After suspending the recruitment of Class 51 candidates in 2020 due to COVID-19, the California Agricultural Leadership Program has reopened the application process. Dozens of CAWG member employees are alumni of the program, an advanced leadership development experience for emerging or mid-career leaders in agriculture.
Applicants must be growers or individuals working in allied businesses or organizations. The 17-month program (October 2021 to February 2023) includes about 55 days of formal program activities. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend virtual recruitment events and talk with alumni about the program. Phase one applications are due April 26.
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January 2021
The event is on Feb. 2 / 1-4 p.m.
Lodi Winegrape Commission
Gov. Newsom’s proposed budget includes funds for ag programs designed to build climate resilience and support farmers’ financial resilience and water security. This Q&A with CDFA Secretary Karen Ross highlights the progress on those programs and what’s on the horizon.
PPIC, Jan. 27
Radio interview with the Rep. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove), who is a member of the House Water Resources and Environmental Subcommittee.
KSTE 650, Jan. 27
Napa Valley Register, Jan. 27
Statement from CDFA Secretary Karen Ross, Jan. 27
WOTUS and other regulatory rollbacks are back on the radar.
Farm Progress, Jan. 25
Q&A with Greg Gonzalez of Scheid Vineyards.
Wine Industry Advisor, Jan. 20
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JANUARY
FEBRUARY
APRIL
21 / CAWG Advocacy Day - virtual
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