Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/155925
DEBORAH PARKER WONG FARM BILL DEADLINE LOOMS With the Sept. 30 deadline for passage of the Farm Bill looming, the U.S. Senate's bill, S. 954, the Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2013, passed on June 9 with a solid showing of bipartisan support. Viewed as the most significant reform of U.S. agriSEPTEMBER culture policy in decades, the Senate bill trimmed $24 billion in spending by eliminating unnecessary direct-payment subsidies, consolidating 23 existing conservation programs into 13, and cracking down on food assistance abuse. On July 11, the House of Representatives passed a farm bill that included hundreds of billions of dollars in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), or food stamp program. 30 NEWS FLASH American Wine Consumer Coalition Launches The American Wine Consumer Coalition (AWCC), an organization focused on increasing consumer rights to access wine via direct shipping, supermarket sales and privatization, launched in June. The new organization is the brainchild of wine blogger and wine industry public relations consultant Tom Wark, who will serve as AWCC executive director. David White was named AWCC president. WWIF Receives Safety Grant California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) president John Aguirre spent time this past spring in Washington, D.C., lobbying committee members on behalf of research programs that have historically been funded by the Farm Bill, including the Specialty Crop Block Grants and crop insurance. According to Aguirre, the House bill provides funding at the following levels: + Specialty Crop Block Grants funded at $72.5 million (FY2014-2017); $85 million (FY2018). + Specialty Crop Research Initiative funded at $50 million (FY2014-15); $55 million (FY2016-2017); $65 million (FY2018). + Coordinated Plant Manage- ment Program funded at $62.5 million (FY2014-2017) and $75 million (FY2018). The Washington Wine Industry Foundation (WWIF) received a $174,000 grant to develop safety education for small to mid-sized wineries. The grant, funded by the state of Washington's Safety and Health Investment Projects Program, will be used to reduce workplace injuries through on-demand and self-directed training available in English and Spanish, and in multiple formats including mobile apps, CDs and classroom training. + Market Access Program and Paso Robles Ag Leaders Forge Alliance The Senate bill includes $200 million annually for the Market Access Program (MAP), funds for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program ($70 million per year) and the Specialty Crop Research Initiative ($200 million over five years), along with pest and disease control programs. Now the Senate and House will have to work together to reconcile the two bills by the end of September, or policy will revert to a 1949 law governing the industry. The Paso Robles Agricultural Alliance for Groundwater Solutions (PRAAGS) is a new association formed by agricultural leaders interested in finding and implementing solutions for the Paso Robles Groundwater Basin. The alliance's primary purpose is to work cooperatively to secure a sustainable groundwater supply in the Basin. PRAAGS is operated by a board of directors. Exhibit Celebrates Mondavi's 100th June marked the 100th anniversary of the birth of renowned California vintner Robert Mondavi. To celebrate, UC Davis is unveiling the Robert G. Mondavi: Celebrating the Good Life exhibition. Located in the university's Peter J. Shields Library, the exhibit features the Robert G. Mondavi Papers collection that was donated in 2011. The exhibit is free and runs through December 2013. For more industry news briefs, visit the News Flash page on V&WM's website: http://www. vwmmedia.com/magazine/web-exclusive1.asp. 12 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | Sept - Oct 2013 Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops fully funded at 2008 Farm Bill levels. w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m