November 7
CAWG PAC reception at Bien Nacido, Santa Maria
November 8
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Buellton
January 29-31
Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Sacramento
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Government Relations Report
THE CENSUS & AGRICULTURE
This week the Public Policy Institute of California released a new study that looks at the upcoming 2020 census and what it could mean for reapportionment. In short, reapportionment is the allocation of the 435 seats in the House of Representatives that happens every 10 years following the census. The census will also be important as the Redistricting Commission later draws district lines for Congress and the California Legislature.
Unfortunately, ag communities are susceptible to being undercounted, which could result in underrepresentation and a loss of state and federal funding. This is because California is highly susceptible to an undercount as three in four Californians belong to at least one "hard-to-count" population. This includes migrant workers, renters and others. If the census does a poor job reaching hard-to-count populations, more than 1.6 million Californians could be missed.
To hopefully avoid undercounting, Gov. Brown created the California Complete Count census program. He also created the California Complete Count Committee, a statewide panel of community members to guide California's outreach for the 2020 census. Additionally, last month he signed AB 2592 (Berman, D-San Jose) to require the secretary of state to engage in census outreach and education.
DEM VS. DEM SENATE RACE
The 22nd Senate District covers the San Gabriel Valley east of Los Angeles and is a race between party-line Democrat Mike Eng and independent Democrat Susan Rubio. Both candidates tend to agree on the big picture issues. However, their differences are mostly in their approaches to governing.
Mike Eng is seen as a party loyalist and is endorsed by party leaders including the California Democratic Party, labor unions, Congresswoman Judy Chu (Eng's spouse), Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon and Senate leader Toni Atkins. Conversely, Rubio is seen as being more independent and is endorsed by New Democrats (moderate legislators), black and Latino community leaders, and law enforcement.
Eng has a huge war chest and is the favorite. In June, he bested Rubio by a margin of 45-26 percent. However, in a four-candidate field, the third and fourth candidates were both Latino. This means that Latino candidates garnered 55 percent of the vote in June. Part of this Senate district is represented by Blanca Rubio (Susan's sister), which will help turn out "Vote Rubio" voters.
The biggest unknown is whether independent and Republican voters are more likely to break for the more moderate Rubio. Or, do they just skip the race altogether?
-- Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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Wildfires and Smoke Taint
It's been one year since wildfires tore through Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Since about 90 percent of the grapes had been picked,
only a small percentage of the 2017 grape harvest in those counties may have been potentially impacted by the wildfires and smoke, reported UCCE viticulture and enology specialist Anita Oberholster at the time. This year, smoke taint issues have come up again due to wildfires in Lake and Mendocino counties. Below are recent articles/interviews related to the topic:
A 17-minute interview with Anita Oberholster on the work she's doing to better understand the effects of smoke on wine. UC Davis, Oct. 8
As much as one-third of the haul Clay Shannon (CAWG member) is taking on is because the original buyers reportedly told him the grapes would be tainted by smoke from wildfires in Lake and Mendocino counties.
North Bay Business Journal, Oct. 8
Some wine producers are refusing to pay growers for smoke-tainted grapes. Article also looks at winemaking practices, lab testing and collaborative research. San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 5
Key information from Pan American.
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CoBank Report on USMCA's Impact on Ag
"From NAFTA to USMCA: Implications of the New U.S.-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement for American Agribusiness" is a new report from CoBank that breaks down the impacts of the new agreement on agricultural sectors and assesses the issues facing those sectors.
The report points out that the USMCA did not provide a pathway to eliminate existing retaliatory tariffs on U.S. agricultural goods. Specialty crops and wine exports are mentioned on page 5.
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California Farm Exports Down: Analysis
Beacon Economics is reporting a fall-off in California farm exports in an analysis of U.S. trade statistics released Oct. 5 by the U.S. Census Bureau. The analysis says exports of agricultural commodities fell by 7.8 percent to $2.64 billion from $2.86 billion, as shipments of
wines, fruits, nuts and dairy products all faced higher tariffs abroad. "When President Trump imposed higher tariffs on imported steel and aluminum earlier this year, America's trading partners retaliated with tariffs that disproportionately targeted agricultural exports, including
California wines, fruits, nuts and dairy products," said
Jock O'Connell of Beacon Economics. "So it comes as no surprise that our once vibrant agricultural export trade has suffered, while the state's high-tech manufacturing sector continues to thrive."
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DHS Warns About Cyber Threats to Agriculture, Offers Mitigation Measures
The Department of Homeland Security has published a 24-page report to address cybersecurity threats related to the adoption and impact of new digital technologies used in crop and livestock production. Precision agriculture uses a variety of embedded and connected technologies that rely on remote sensing, GPS and communication systems. The advancement of this technology means increased exposure to cyber and other vulnerabilities to agriculture. The report provides key findings, threats and potential scenarios, as well as how to implement security measures. Public and private sector experts from agriculture, government and security contributed to the project.
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VINEYARDS & WINE
AB 2452 (Aguilar-Curry), signed into law on Sept. 22, gives wineries and alcohol producers the opportunity to post photos on social media to promote upcoming events, such as tastings.
Wine Business, Oct. 9
Kruse writes about the tragedy, how the wine industry and community came together, and her personal perspective.
North Bay Business Journal, Oct. 8
CAWG member Brad Goehring is in the vineyard discussing how the Oct. 3 rainstorms affected vineyards/winegrapes.
News10, Oct. 4
October edition
October edition
Twenty PD-resistant winegrape selections are being advanced to Foundation Plant Services for certification.
October issue
AGRICULTURE
Tulare County program estimated to collect more than 90,000 pounds of old, unwanted chemicals for safe disposal -- at no
cost to growers.
Western Farm Press, Oct. 9
GOVERNMENT
Feinstein has agreed to an Oct.17 debate, her first since 2000. It will be streamed live online by the Public Policy Institute of California.
Sacramento Bee, Oct. 10
In 2018, the CA Legislature introduced more than 2,600 bills; CalChamber tracked 213 bills, stopping 115 opposed bills (including 29 job killers), and backing 27 bills signed into law.
Oct. 5
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Senate Overwhelmingly Passes Water Resources Infrastructure Legislation
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Protecting Independent Contractors Roundtable
The
I'm Independent Coalition is hosting a
Lunch & Learn Roundtable to discuss the impacts of the
Dynamex ruling on independent contractors and small businesses and to find solutions to this overreach. The coalition -- supported by CAWG and other agricultural organizations -- is an effort of businesses and workers to urge the California Legislature to protect independent contractors.
WHEN: Oct. 17 / 12-1 p.m.
WHERE: San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, 402 West Broadway #1000, San Diego
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California Farm Academy Offers Program to Train Farm Managers
To help fill critical management positions on farms, the California Farm Academy offers a professional training program for those seeking a career in farm management.
The program lasts about two years, and is a formal, state-registered apprenticeship with paid on-the-job training and supplemental coursework. Upon completion, apprentices will graduate to a journeyman level in the occupation of a beginning farm and ranch manager. There are several ways that farmers (employers) can be involved and train an apprentice on their farm. You can hire an apprentice via the application process or if you have an employee who would be a good fit for this program, then they can be enrolled in the program.
Applications for the 2019 program are due by Nov. 4. An informational session will be held on Oct. 14 in Winters.
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You're Invited! Receptions for Assembly, Senate Candidates Next Week
Join CAWG at upcoming evening events for Assemblyman
Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove), who is running for re-election for the 9th California Assembly District, and
Rob Poythress (R), who is running for the 12th California Senate District. CAWG is pleased to support candidates who understand and can help the winegrape industry. Please see flyers for details and sponsorship information.
Rob Poythress
Oct. 16 / 5:30-7:30 p.m.
The Berryhill Pond, 1912 East Taylor Road, Ceres
Jim Cooper
Oct. 17 / 5:30 p.m.
Home of Joe and June Daehling, Big Oak Nursery, 10045 Grant Line Road, Elk Grove
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CAWG PAC Reception · Nov. 7 · Join Us!
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| Click on image to see full flyer / registration form. |
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Preparing the Vineyard for Winter -- Webinar
WHEN: Nov. 5 / 1 - 2:30 p.m.
ABOUT: Learn key tips and practices in preparing your vineyard for winter and how to prevent erosion during the rainy season. Experts will share their experience working with vineyards.
WHEN: Nov. 6 / 7 a.m. - 2 p.m.
WHERE: Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, Turlock
FEATURES: Grower seminars, grower/PCA breakfast, industry lunch, PCA credits.
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