Could farmers in California get a tax credit for paying their employees to work overtime? Other states have already implemented this to alleviate the pressures of inflating wage costs burdening ag employers. Watch this brief interview as Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) joins Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share how CAWG is working with the California Farm Bureau and Senator Shannon Grove through SB628 to support California ag employers and make this happen.
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California growers investing in compost to boost soil fertility on the farm may soon reap additional benefits in the form of a tax credit. Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) joined Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share how this promising CAWG-sponsored bill is currently making its way through legislature. Watch this brief video to learn more.
California ranks last in both housing affordability and availability, compared to the rest of the United States. This is having a major impact on California farm workers who are having to commute long distances to get to work or are otherwise struggling to get by. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as they push for legislative support to streamline the permitting process for on-farm ag employee housing. Read more about it in the May issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Last Fall, Governor Newsom signed SB 659, The California Water Supply Solutions Act of 2023, sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers and the Regional Water Authority in Sacramento. But what does this mean for California farmers implementing groundwater recharge practices in the coming months? Watch this video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers to find out.
It’s getting to be time soon for California grape growers to vote on the continuation of the Pierce’s Disease Glassy-winged Sharpshooter Control Program. You may not feel that Pierce’s Disease is a threat to your vineyard, but other pests and disease are. Watch this brief interview with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he shares about some new pests and diseases covered under this program that may soon otherwise become a threat to your vineyard. Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Senator Jeff Stone and CAWG Board Member Jeff Wiens
California legislators awarded gold to nine wines at the fourth annual California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) Foundation Gala on April 10. The friendly wine competition featured 31 red and white wines from 23 California wineries. Legislative leaders from the California Assembly and Senate attended the gala and participated in the wine judging.
The CAWG Foundation hosts the annual gala to raise funds for scholarships available to children of California agricultural workers. The foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors whose parent or legal guardian is employed by a California winegrape grower. More than $433,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the CAWG Foundation was formed in 1998.
“The gala is a special event where winegrape growers, wine industry friends and political leaders join together for a very worthy educational program,” CAWG President John Aguirre said. “The foundation is proud to offer student scholarships made possible by the generous donations of those in the California wine industry and we are pleased to share the program’s achievements with legislators.”
WINNING WINES
Albariño: 2016 Albariño, King Andrews Vineyard, Suisun Valley (nominated by: Assemblymember Jim Frazier)
Chardonnay: 2017 Chardonnay, Fenestra Winery, Livermore (nominated by: Sen. Steven Glazer)
Other White Wines: 2017 Alder Grove Sauvignon Blanc, Quivira Vineyards, Healdsburg (nominated by: Assemblymember Jim Wood)
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon, Berryhill Family Vineyards, Ceres (nominated by: Assemblymember Adam Gray)
Pinot Noir: 2017 Pinot Noir, Alara Cellars, Gilroy (nominated by: Assemblymember Robert Rivas)
Port: Old Vine Tinta Port, Ficklin Vineyards, Madera (nominated by: Sen. Andreas Borgeas)
If you missed the CAWG Summer Conference this year, be sure to check out this video presentation honoring the CAWG Grower of the Year, Steve Schafer. Diversified grower and Vintner in Madera, Schafer grew up in the industry and has also been involved in the community. He has served on many grower boards and leadership roles. Watch this video and read more about him in American Vineyard Magazine.
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