In this issue...
FEATURE
WA Winegrowers with Supply to Support Canadian Wineries
Advocacy
Farm Bill Update
Federal Appropriations Update
Liquor and Cannabis Board Policy Statement Emergency Alcohol Permit
Education & Events
Walter J. Clore Scholarship Recipient
Field Days: Optimizing and Use of Sprayers in the Vineyard - August 6
Be Confident, Be Compliant Webinar Series - July 31
Piece Rate Record Keeping Webinar Wrap-Up
Sustainable WA
Sustainable WA Opens Applications for 2024 Season
Meet the Sustainable WA Grower: Marissa Dineen of Dineen Vineyards
Membership
MEMBERS-ONLY! WA Winegrowers Crop Estimate Coming Soon
The Service & Supplier Directory is LIVE!
WA Winegrowers with Supply to Support Canadian Wineries
The prolonged and severe cold snap in British Columbia, Canada, this winter has proven devastating to the BC winegrape supply. The B.C. Provincial regulations are allowing temporary relief to allow B.C. wineries to import winegrapes, and the Washington wine community stands ready to supply winegrapes through cross-border shipment.
Farm Bill Update
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition & Forestry Committee recently passed the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act, boosting specialty crop insurance and research funding, while permanently authorizing conservation programs. Meanwhile, the House Committee on Agriculture approved the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2024, allocating over $1 billion to specialty crop research and disaster relief programs, with the full House expected to review it by September.
Federal Appropriations Update
The House and Senate Appropriations Committees passed their proposed FY 2025 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Appropriations bills, ensuring continued funding for the USDA and Agricultural Research Service starting October 1, 2024. Notable provisions include increased funding for research on wildfire smoke impacts on winegrapes, a prohibition on FDA enforcement of certain standards for winegrapes, and funding boosts for specialty crops and the National Grape Improvement Center, with final negotiations and approval expected later this year.
Liquor and Cannabis Board Policy Statement Emergency Alcohol Permits
The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) announced the implementation of House Bill 2204, effective June 6, 2024, allowing liquor licensees to apply for emergency permits when their premises are inaccessible due to disasters. These permits, issued free of charge, enable temporary sales and service at another licensed location, with specific conditions and a validity of 30 days, renewable if the emergency persists.
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.
Walter J. Clore Scholarship Recipient
Learn more about Olivia Walker, 2024 recipient of the Walter J. Clore Scholarship!
Field Days: Optimizing and Use of Sprayers in the Vineyard
Join WA Winegrowers and the Washington State University Viticulture extension at Tsillan Cellars in Chelan, WA on Tuesday, August 6 from 2-5pm to learn about all things sprayer application in the vineyard!
Be Confident, Be Compliant Webinar Series
The Washington Wine Institute and Washington Winegrowers Association are partnering to make Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board regulatory experts accessible to you from 9-10am on July 31. This webinar will break down top compliance issues with the goal of making lawful operations easier to understand and implement! We’ll also review recent legislation and rule changes.
Piece Rate Record-Keeping Webinar Thank You
Thank you to everyone who attended our Piece Rate Record-Keeping Webinar on July 11! This webinar was presented in partnership with the Washington Growers League and offered an abundance of insight and guidance on best practices for piece rate record-keeping.
The webinar focused on understanding compliance with piece-rate regulations, payroll situations, breaks, and overtime, offering practical guidance on economically meeting labor needs while adhering to new laws.
Thank you to the Washington Growers League for presenting this valuable information and Rabo Agrifinance for sponsoring this webinar!
Meet the Sustainable WA Grower: Marissa Dineen of Dineen Vineyards
Hear from Sustainable WA grower Marissa Dineen of Dineen Vineyards on everything sustainability means to her and her business, and what having a Washington state certification program means to the industry.
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 don't forget to apply next year! Applications open in the Spring.
MEMBERS ONLY! WA Winegrowers Crop Estimate Coming Soon
WA Winegrowers members should keep their eye out for the 2024 crop estimate, coming in August! This uniquely valuable crop estimate is complied thanks to the background provided by Washington winegrowers across the state to aid grower and vintner decision-making.
The Service & Supplier Directory is LIVE!
The WA Winegrowers Service & Supplier Directory is officially LIVE! This resource is the premier source of vendors for the WA wine industry and is now available year-round, and updated constantly as new members join. Visit the Directory to look around and find your next vineyard equipment supplier, accountant, legal team, and MUCH MORE!
Upcoming Events
Compliance & Understanding Webinar Series presented by TTB & WSCLB
In partnership with the Washington Wine Institute
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