In this issue...
Feature: Washington Winegrowers Association in D.C.
Advocacy
Federal Appropriations Update
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (Farm Bill)
Updates to the Winery General Permit for Washington State
Education & Events
Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship Recipient Announced
Washington State Wine Commission Grower Positions Appointed
Washington Department of Ecology Glass Summit
New Wildfire Smoke Regulations for Washington State
Wrap-Up of Rolling with the Punches: Making Excellent Wine with the Grapes You're Given
Save the Date: Winegrowers Summer Events
Sustainable WA
Meet Sustainable WA Grower: Steve Elerding of Elerding Vineyard
Sustainable WA Applications for 2024 Season Close June 14th
Washington Winegrowers Assocation in D.C.
Learn about WA Winegrowers' advocacy efforts this month in Washington D.C.! Winegrowers is passionate about advocating for the needs of our Washington wine industry, and this was the perfect opportunity for our team to represent YOU at the federal level.
Federal Appropriations Update
WA Winegrowers engaged in Fiscal Year 2025 federal appropriations requests on major issues that impact our Washington wine community.
Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (Farm Bill)
On May 24, 2024, the House Committee on Agriculture passed H.R. 8467, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024 (2024 Farm Bill). Â The House bill would provide over $1 billion for programs that support research for specialty crops.
Updates to the Winery General Permit for Washington State
On May 29, 2024, the Washington Department of Ecology issued updates to the Winery General Permit. The permit provides coverage to wineries for conditional discharge of wastewater to wastewater treatment plants, lagoons or other liquid storage structures, infiltration basins, subsurface infiltration systems, or for irrigation to managed vegetation or road dust abatement.
Washington Wine Industry Awards Inaugural Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship
The Washington wine industry has awarded its inaugural Allen Shoup Memorial Fellowship for emerging writers and communicators to Gwendolyn Elliott. Elliott is a writer and editor based in Walla Walla, Washington.
WA State Wine Commission Board - 2024 Grower Seat Appointments
WA Winegrowers engaged, as we do each year, in an outreach campaign to alert the Washington wine industry (members and non-members, growers and vintners) to all expiring positions on the Washington State Wine Commission Board. The grower seat positions for new terms beginning July 1, 2024 have been filled.
WA Department of Ecology Recycling Development Center Glass Summit
On May 2, 2024, the Washington Department of Ecology Recycling Development Center (RDC) sponsored a glass summit focused on glass reuse and recycling.
New Wildfire Smoke Regulations for WA State
As temperatures rise, WA Winegrowers wants to highlight the new wildfire smoke regulations put into effect earlier this year. Our Grape Post article from January provides a broad overview of the regulations and what they mean for compliance and safety in the vineyard this year.
Wrap-Up of Rolling with the Punches: Making Excellent Wine with the Fruit You're Given
WA Winegrowers partnered with the Washington Wine Technical Group to host this May 16th event that featured speakers, an educational wine tasting, catered lunch, and more! Thank you to all attendees who participated!
WA Winegrowers Summer Events
Check out our upcoming events! Our summer webinar series kicks off on June 27th, and we have a Field Day in Chelan in August. Stay in the loop with our events calendar.
Meet Sustainable WA Grower: Steve Elerding
Hear from Elerding Vineyard's Steve Elerding on what sustainability means to him, and how Sustainable WA certification has been important to his business and Washington wine.
Courtesy of WA State Wine Commission
Sustainable WA Applications Close June 14th
Applications for the 2024 season of Sustainable WA are open through June 14th! Learn more and apply today at SustainableWA.com.