In this issue...
Noteworthy
-Sustainability in WA
-USDA RMA (New Crop Insurance Endorsement)
Policy + Politics
-State Update (Legislature Outcomes)
-Federal Update (Tariffs, Funding, TTB)
Sustainable WA / Sustainability
-Salmon-Safe Addition
Is Your Business in Compliance?
-EPA Label Changes
-WSDA Pesticide Applicator Licensing Changes
Around the Industry
-Sprayer Calibration & 2025 Grape Pest Managment Guide
-Interested in Serving on the Wine
Commissioner Board?
-CWU Requests Participation
-WSU CAHNRS Director Search
Winegrowers Upcoming Events
-Winery Sanitation and Food Safety Compliance Webinar (May 21)
-Roll out the Barrels Field Day (June 12)
-WSLCB and TTB Webinars (Summer 2025)
Noteworthy
Sustainablility in WA
This year, the Sustainable WA program introduces a new auditing partner: Heather Muser, Ed.D., of Muser Consulting LLC. With more than a decade of experience in regulatory compliance and sustainability programs. Muser brings both breadth and depth to her role.
USDA RMA
In 2025, the USDA rolled out a new crop insurance endorsement—the Fire Insurance Protection – Smoke Index (FIP-SI) Endorsement, which provides protection against widespread smoke loss.
Policy + Politics
State Update (Legislature Outcomes)
Outcomes of the Washington State Legislative Session.
Federal Update (Tariffs, Funding, TTB)
An update on federal tariffs, funding, staff reductions, and TTB Labeling!
Sustainable WA / Sustainablitiy
Salmon-Safe Addition
The Salmon-Safe and Sustainable WA partnership focuses on enhancing water quality protection, wildlife habitat conservation, and climate resiliency elements already embedded in Sustainable WA. The partnership announcement followed an 18-month standards harmonization process led by Salmon-Safe.
For 2025, Sustainable WA vineyards have the option of obtaining dual certification that includes Salmon-Safe, provided all standards are met.
Is Your Business in Compliance?
EPA Label Changes
EPA’s 2021 biological evaluation for carbaryl determined that use of the pesticide according to label instructions was “likely to adversely affect” at least one animal or plant for 1,640 listed species and 736 designated critical habitats. EPA initiated formal consultation with NMFS and FWS and, in response, both developed biological opinions for carbaryl.
WSDA Pesticide Changes
The WSDA is updating their pesticide rules to meet federal standards set by the 2017 update to EPA's Federal Pesticide Certification and Training Rule (40 CFR Part 171). Most licensees will need to do something to meet new requirements and maintain their license. Many will need to take a C&T-specific recertification course. Some will also need to pass an updated exam.
Around the Industry
Sprayer Calibration & Grape Pest Managment
Serve on the Wine Commissioner Board!
CWU Requests Participation
The Central Washington University Wine Studies program is launching a survey focused on marketing and tourism strategies among small to mid-sized, independently owned destination wineries in Washington State.
WSU CAHNRS
Director Search
WSU CAHNRS is beginning a search to identify a new Director of the Clean Plant Center Northwest (CPCNW) at IAREC in Prosser. Unlike past directors, this one will not be a traditional faculty member and will spend 100% of their time running the center to generate clean plants for the tree fruit, grapevine and hop industries.
Upcoming Events
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Registration open for "Winery Sanitation & Food Safety" (Webinar) Wednesday, June 12, 2025 |
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Registration open for "Roll out the Barrels" Wednesday, April 23, 2025
WSU Viticulture Intern Boot Camp - 20 May 2025 Registration is now open for the 2025 WSU Viticulture Intern Boot Camp! For more information, including registration details, visit: https://wine.wsu.edu/event/2025-viticulture-intern-boot-camp/
WSU / WA State Grape Society Viticulture Field Day - 24 July 2025 Registration is now open for the 2025 WSU / WSGS Viticulture Field Day! Space is limited to the first 80 registrations, so register early at: https://wine.wsu.edu/event/2025-viticulture-field-day/ |
