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- Written by: California Department of Food and Agriculture
COPAC advises the secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the SOP on organic issues, and provides guidance on enforcement, education, outreach, and technical assistance for organic producers.
“Those who serve on CDFA advisory boards for the California Department of Agriculture provide us with highly valued insight,” said CDFA secretary Karen Ross. That insight assists our department in meeting the ever-changing needs of our growers, producers, processors and consumers.”
The COPAC is comprised of leaders from the California organic industry, including producers, processors, wholesale distributors, a representative of an accredited certifying agency, a consumer, an environmental representative, a retail representative, and technical representatives with scientific credentials related to agricultural chemicals, toxicology, or food science.
Each of the 15 representatives has an alternate counterpart who fits the same criteria.
The current vacancies include:
– One technical representative;
– Two producer alternates;
– Two processor alternates;
– One environmental representative alternate;
– Two technical representative alternates; and
– One consumer representative alternate.
Appointments for advisory committee positions will normally be for three years from the date of appointment. A member may serve for two consecutive terms.
After one year of absence from the committee, a former member may reapply for other vacant seats and may be appointed. As needed some appointments may be made for two years to allow staggering of terms. Term limits do not apply to alternates.
To apply or learn more about the committee, visit the COPAC Web site at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/i_&_c/organic_publications.html#COPAC.
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- Written by: California Department of Insurance
Assembly Bill 1797 (Levine) and Assembly Bill 1875 (Wood) will help homeowners avoid being underinsured-a terrible problem faced by many survivors of the 2017 fires.
"These bills are designed to help fire and mudslide survivors avoid the huge financial burden of being underinsured and unable to afford to rebuild by tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands of dollars," said Commissioner Jones. "They offer California consumers more peace of mind knowing that if disaster strikes their insurance coverage should be sufficient to cover the costs of rebuilding and they will be able to move forward with certainty. I am pleased the Assembly Insurance Committee recognized the need for this legislation and am hopeful the full Legislature will agree and pass these important consumer protection bills."
Underinsurance is one of the most significant problems facing fire and mudslide survivors in the aftermath of the 2017 firestorms.
According to a survey conducted by United Policyholders following the 2017 North Bay fires, 66 percent of survivors were underinsured on the dwelling portion of their claim and 47 percent were underinsured on the contents portion of their claim.
AB 1797 is aimed at making sure that homeowners are given an updated replacement cost estimate for their home.
Current regulations require a complete and comprehensive estimate of the cost to replace a home when a replacement estimate is provided by the insurer, but state law does not mandate that insurers produce or regularly update a replacement cost calculation.
AB 1797 would require insurers to either provide a policyholder with a full replacement cost estimate every other year or apply an inflation factor to the dwelling limit at each renewal and clearly offer the consumer the option to obtain a full replacement cost estimate.
AB 1875 addresses confusion surrounding extended replacement cost coverage (ERC). Almost all insurance companies offer ERC, which allows property owners to purchase limits above the replacement cost policy limits, which are typically based upon the insurance company's estimated cost of replacement.
However, those ERC limits can vary dramatically from the low of a 20 percent option to higher options of 50, 75, or 100 percent.
Many consumers are never provided these options by insurers nor are they told how the coverage options, if available, would impact their premiums.
AB 1875 would require an insurer who does not provide at least 50 percent ERC to help direct the consumer to an insurer that does. This will give consumers reasonable options against underinsurance.
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- Written by: Middletown Area Merchants Association
Social media and technology consultant, author and keynote speaker Kerry Rego will explore the possibilities and limitations of social media for business.
Rego is a lecturer at Sonoma State University, an adjunct faculty member of Santa Rosa Junior College, and has written books on social media strategy and reputation management.
“I want you to be an educated consumer, feeling confident, and walk out feeling more centered about your social media approach than when you arrived,” she said.
This workshop will cover topics from posting to scheduling, quirks of the systems, providing online customer service, handling negativity, crisis management, how to get around obstacles, editorial calendars, and how to minimize the amount of time spent and impact on a work day.
"Kerry is one of the most well researched social media experts that I know. Her ability to share insights, knowledge and practical application is unsurpassed,” said Sam Euston of Euston Productions in Lower Lake.
Spots may be reserved for $15 by using the link on the homepage of the Merchants Association, www.MiddletownAreaMerchants.com. Students with a current ID may attend for free but must also reserve a spot at the same link.
Questions may be directed to Beth Rudiger, MAMA president, at 707-326-1291.
A MAMA Certificate of Completion will be available after successful completion of a quiz following the workshop.
An optional Social Media Book and Workbook Starter Kit ($32) will be available for purchase from Kerry at the workshop.
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- Written by: County of Napa
Agricultural Commissioner Greg Clark released the 2017 Napa County Agricultural Crop Report during the April 24 Napa County Board of Supervisors meeting.
The total value of the 2017 wine grape crop was a record setting $750,832,400, up 2.9 percent, or $21,325,100, from the previous year. Also, the 2017 wine grape crop was 35.2 percent or approximately $195,629,300 higher than the previous 10-year average of $555,203,100.
Total 2017 wine grape production decreased by approximately 10,630 tons, or 6.9 percent from 2016. The total wine grape tonnage for the 2017 crop (142,413 tons from 43,584 bearing acres) was 3.4 percent lower than the previous 10-year average of 147,386 tons.
The average price paid per ton for all wine grapes was $5,272. In 2017, the highest average price paid for any Napa County wine grape variety was $7,871 per ton for Cabernet Franc. There were 1,113 bearing acres of Cabernet Franc in 2017.
In the past several years, the top three varieties in bearing acres planted were Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, and Merlot.
In 2017, approximately 66,733 tons of Cabernet Sauvignon (20,953 acres) were harvested and sold at an average price of $7,498 per ton. Chardonnay (6,261 acres) exceeded Merlot (4,535) acres by 1,726 bearing acres, but Merlot sold at $579 more per ton on average. Merlot production was 13,160 tons, valued at an average of $3,390 per ton. Chardonnay production of 20,684 tons was valued on average at $2,811 per ton.
These three varieties together accounted for more than 70 percent of all production and about 80 percent of the total wine grape value.
Olive production increased approximately $63,400 due in part to cool, wet weather conditions suppressing olive fruit fly populations. Livestock values increased approximately $3,400 and field crops increased $13,100 from the previous year.
Vegetable production decreased by $45,000 due to wet weather conditions in 2017. Floral and nursery production decreased in value by $1,481,700 primarily due to the closure of several production nurseries and wet weather conditions.
County staff continued to survey for all life stages of the Glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in 2017. This year 2,533 plant shipments were inspected, resulting in the discovery of 3 GWSS egg-masses, one of which was viable. Out-of-state nursery shipments, inspection of household goods for gypsy moth, and other “high hazard” shipment inspections continued to be a priority for inspectors.
This year’s crop report highlights the 50th anniversary of the Napa County Agricultural Preserve, a landmark zoning ordinance – the nation’s first – that dictates the highest and best use of land is for agriculture.
The Ag Preserve ordinance was originally passed by the Napa County Board of Supervisors in 1968 to protect 26,000 acres of local farmland. It has since grown to 31,609 acres and has been a central force preserving the county’s open space.
The 2017 crop report would not be complete without taking a look at the impact, response, and ongoing recovery brought on by the October wildfires.
While approximately 3,500 acres (less than 8 percent) of Napa County’s planted vineyard acres were located within the fire areas, only 126 of those acres burned.
The report is available online, and at each of the libraries and at the Agricultural Commissioner’s office, 1710 Soscol Ave., Suite 3 in Napa.