YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
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Updated Resource Page on CAWG Website
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Our
website resource page
includes all of our COVID-19 news alerts, as well as numerous links for state, federal and ag industry resources.
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Government Relations Report
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To help ag employers deal with keeping the workplace safe, several agencies and organizations have provided guidance documents and continue to update these documents to reflect the most current information.
>The UC Davis Western Center on Agricultural Health and Safety
issued the COVID-19 Ag Worksite Checklist in
English
and
Spanish
.
>Cal/OSHA
issued the COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Ag Employers and Employees in
English
and
Spanish
.
These guidance documents generally provide for the following workplace actions:
- Social distancing.
- Sanitization, including use of hand sanitizers and frequent hand washing.
- Staggering work schedules to help prevent group gathering.
- Use of PPE, including masks or cloth facial coverings.
- Training of workers.
However, many of these guidance documents are overlapping and somewhat conflicting. It is also confusing when it is not clear whether the guidance from a state or local agency is advisory or creates a requirement in law.
To keep growers and workers safe under these guidance documents, please consider the following:
- Check state and local guidance often. These change quickly and CAWG is providing frequent updates on our COVID-19 resource page.
- Without regard to whether a guidance document creates a workplace requirement, view the guidance as a resource based on healthcare information specific to this pandemic.
- Work with your HR professionals to determine what is best for you and your workforce.
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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Payroll Protection Program:
FAQs, Webinar and Other Resources
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The CARES Act included $349 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which provides small businesses with funds to pay up to eight weeks of payroll costs, including benefits. Funds can also be used to pay interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. Ag producers are eligible to participate in the program and should contact their ag lenders to apply immediately. The Small Business Administration (SBA), in consultation with the Treasury Department, is providing timely guidance concerning the implementation of the PPP. FAQs and other documents will be updated on a regular basis.
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Friday, April 10
Downey Brand COVID-19 Webinar
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State, local and federal governments are issuing guidance and regulatory and legal changes to 1) reduce health risks and 2) address the resulting effects of COVID-19 on the workplace and economy. Downey Brand (CAWG member) is hosting a webinar to help you and your business with strategies for understanding your legal options regarding the guidance and changes.
WHEN:
April 10 / 12-1 p.m.
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Related Resources and Articles
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Public Policy Institute of California
Rates are down from March. The CARES Act included a $14 billion replenishment to the CCC.
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Food and Ag Sector Praised by VP
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“…right below the healthcare workers are all the people working in critical infrastructure around the country, and some of the most important people are working in food supply. From the farmers and the ranchers to our processors, to our distributors, to our truckers, to our grocers, Americans are keeping food on the table for our fellow Americans. […] To all the hard-working people working in food supply today, thank you. Thank you for what you are doing to keep those grocery store shelves stocked. Thank you for showing up to work every day and working hard to keep that food supply rolling in America. […] It’s been these heroic Americans, from the farm to the fork, that have made it possible for Americans to have one less worry. And they are truly inspiring heroes."
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Please Vote!
Pierce's Disease Control Program Referendum
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CAWG urges growers to vote yes on the continuation of the valuable Pierce’s Disease Control Program. CDFA expected to mail the ballots today (April 9); growers have 30 days to mail them in. At least 40 percent of the eligible voters must cast ballots for the referendum to be valid. Passage requires either:
- Of those who vote, 65 percent vote “yes,” and the “yes” voters must have paid the majority of the assessment that was paid by those who voted; OR
- Of those who vote, a majority vote “yes,” and the “yes” voters must have paid 65 percent or more of the assessment that was paid by those who voted.
The last time growers voted, more than 80 percent favored continuing the winegrape assessment.
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Request for Growers to Complete Unharvested Price Adjustment Survey
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CAWG is collecting information on grape harvest costs for 2019 to assist USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). By completing the
seven-question survey
, you will help ensure RMA has the best available information for determining your crop insurance indemnity payments.
CAWG recognizes that these survey questions may not track how you allocate harvest costs, so your patience and participation are greatly appreciated. We will keep your responses confidential and provide a summary of our overall findings.
Please complete the survey by April 15.
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2020 California Green Medal Award Winners Announced
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Congratulations to the recipients of the sixth annual California Green Medal: Sustainable Winegrowing Leadership Awards! The awards recognize the leadership of wineries and vineyards that are committed to sustainability.
>
AWARD WINNER PROFILES
Leader Award:
J. Lohr Vineyards & Wine
Environment Award:
Bonterra Organic Vineyards
Community Award:
Clif Family Winery
Business Award:
Pisoni Family Vineyards
CAWG is proud to be one of the six organizations that presents the awards, along with the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance, Wine Institute, Lodi Winegrape Commission, Napa Valley Vintners and the Vineyard Team. Thank you to the 11 wine and sustainability experts who served as judges and to the award sponsors (Wine Business Monthly, Farm Credit Alliance, Grow West, MCE, ETS Laboratories and Protected Harvest). An award ceremony will be held in the coming months.
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Providing creative, integrated solutions for our beverage and agricultural industry partners with quality packaging products and supply chain services.
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CAWG's preferred partner for insurance products for more than 20 years. Group workers' comp, wine industry package, federal crop insurance, employee benefits...and more. For more information: 209-955-2600 or
email
.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
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National Safe Digging Month:
Call 811 Before You Dig, Excavate, Plant
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April is National Safe Digging Month, a public safety initiative supported by more than 1,000 utilities to raise awareness about the importance of having underground utility lines marked prior to any digging project. PG&E is reminding the public to call 811 before starting projects of any size that require digging or excavation.
"Even with the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, our locate and mark crews are essential workers and still in the field every day helping to ensure digging projects…can proceed safely, without risk to life, health or property,” a PG&E senior director said. "Calling 811 three working days before excavating to have the locations of underground gas or electric lines marked will help keep you, your family and your neighbors safe.”
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More Snow from Early April Storms
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Last weekend’s storms boosted the statewide snowpack. The Department of Water Resources’ snow survey on April 1 reported the statewide snow water equivalent was 15.2 inches, or 53 percent of the April 1 average. Following the storms, those numbers increased to 18.3 inches, or 64 percent of the April 1 average (April 9 data).
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VINEYARDS & WINE
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance wants to lead the effort.
Western Farm Press, April 8
Leafroll and red blotch diminish the product, plant pathologist says.
Western Farm Press, April 8
North Bay Business Journal, April 6
AGRICULTURE
Western Farm Press, April 8
Now available from the California chapter of the American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers
WATER & WEATHER
Updated April 8
AgNet West, April 8
Public Policy Institute of California, April 6
Weather West blog, April 3
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MAY
12 /
CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #1, Buellton
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CANCELLED
13 /
CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #2, Paso Robles
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CANCELLED
13 /
CAWG Regional & Board of Directors dinner, Paso Robles
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CANCELLED
14 / CAWG Board of Directors meeting
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LOCATION AND FORMAT TBD
JUNE
17 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #3, Santa Rosa
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TBD
17 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #4, Napa
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TBD
24 / CAWG Annual Meeting Roadshow #5, Lodi
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TBD
JULY
20 / CAWG Regional & Board of Directors dinner, Santa Rosa
21 / CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Santa Rosa
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