In this issue...
Advocacy
Farm Bill 2024 Update
Federal Appropriations Update
Education & Events
Eye Safety for Vineyard Workers
Winery Cellar Leadership Graduation
West Cost Smoke Exposure Task Force 2024 Smoke Summit Summary
Upcoming Webinars and Events
Sustainable WA
Meet the Sustainable WA Grower: Doug Frost of Taggart Vineyard
Farm Bill 2024 Update
Senator John Boozman released the minority’s framework for the 2024 Farm Bill, proposing significant increases in funding for conservation, market access, research, and specialty crop programs, along with new initiatives for crop insurance and mechanization. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Agriculture passed H.R. 8467, which allocates over $1 billion for specialty crop research and support, with further steps for the bill pending full House consideration and the Senate’s draft release.
FY25 Federal Appropriations Update
The House Appropriations Subcommittee for Agriculture passed the 2025 Agriculture Appropriations Bill, including allocations for APHIS, specialty crop pests, and FDA enforcement of certain produce standards for winegrapes, hops, pulse crops, and almonds. The next step is consideration by the full Committee, with WA Winegrowers playing a key advocacy role for these provisions.
Eye Safety for Vineyard Workers
Learn about hazardous conditions threatening eye safety in the vineyard and regulations in place to prevent injuries.
Winery Cellar Leadership Program Graduation
The Winery Cellar Leadership Program is an opportunity for cellar workers to expand their knowledge and gain meaningful experience through instruction at Yakima Valley College. This program is presented in partnership with Yakima Valley College. The most recent graduating class celebrated the conclusion of the two-year program at a reception on May 31. Congratulations, grads!
West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force 2024 Smoke Summit Summary
The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF) hosted its 2024 Smoke Summit, attracting over 300 attendees nationwide to discuss wildfire smoke's impact on the winegrape industry. Learn more about the takeaways from the summit.
Upcoming Webinars and Events
We have a slate of amazing educational programming lined up for the summer. We just wrapped up the first of four webinars, and next up, we have the Piece Rate Record Keeping Webinar on July 11 from 11am to noon. Check out our full lineup of webinars and our Field Day for the Optimizing and Use of Canopy Sprayers in the Vineyard on August 6.
Winery Sanitation & Food Safety Compliance: Training the Trainer Webinar Thank You
Thank you to everyone who attended our Winery Sanitation & Food Safety webinar on Thursday, July 27! This webinar is presented in partnership with Washington State University. This was an amazing opportunity to learn from experts Dr. Thomas Henick-Kling and Dr. Tom Collins from WSU on all things winery sanitation.
Thank you to our sponsors IEH Laboratories and Central Industrial Sales and our Annual Partner Columbia Label for supporting WA Winegrowers' educational programming!
Meet the Sustainable WA Grower: Doug Frost of Taggart Vineyard and Echolands Winery in Walla Walla Valley
Hear from Sustainable WA grower Doug Frost of Taggart Vineyard and Echolands Winery on why he chose to become Sustainable WA certified, the value of sustainability, and what sustainability means to him.
Sustainable WA 2024 Season Underway
Sustainable WA covers the pillars of sustainability: environmentally sound, socially equitable, and economically viable. It is a rigorous, science-based program and built with continuous improvement in mind. Sustainable WA was built by and for the industry, specifically for Washington vineyards.
Our 2024 season is already underway, but it's not too late to apply! Just select your portal below.
Upcoming Events
Piece Rate Record Keeping Webinar
In partnership with the Washington Growers League
Thursday, July 11 11am-12pm
Compliance & Understanding Webinar Series presented by TTB & WSCLB
In partnership with the Washington Wine Institute
Wednesday, July 17 9-10am
Wednesday, July 31 9-10am
Field Days: Optimizing and Use of Canopy Sprayers in the Vineyard
In partnership with Washington State University
Tsillan Cellars, Chelan, WA
Tuesday, August 6 2-5pm