Arnulfo Solorio has been named the 2022 Napa Valley Grower of the Year. Solorio (“Nufo”) is a partner and vice president of operations at Silverado Farming Company, where he has served in leadership roles since 2002.

Solorio served three three-year terms on the Napa Valley Grapegrowers board of directors, the first Hispanic person to serve in that capacity. His legacy may, however, be the creation of the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation in 2010.

​Solorio was passionate about starting the foundation as a way to provide professional development and educational opportunities to farmworkers and their families. The Farmworker Foundation now serves thousands of people each year through its programs in literacy, leadership, vocational training, mentorship and community participation. Solorio is a director on its board and is currently chairman of the Farmworker Education Committee.

It’s no surprise that the notion of preparedness and designing defensible spaces has made its way into the mainstream vernacular for all members of our community. Since 2017, 60% of the landcover in Napa County has been touched by fire. Across California, over 4.3 million acres of land burned in 2020 alone.
​
Wildfires may have become the new normal in California, but as a community we can work together to be more resilient and better prepared. To this end, creating fire-ready vineyards and landscapes is essential.

In the aftermath of the 2020 Glass Fire, which burned large swaths of the Viader family’s Howell Mountain estate vineyard, as well as 30,000 surrounding trees, proprietor Delia Viader and her son, grape grower and winemaker, Alan Viader, are rebuilding their estate property through a new lens.

​They are preparing for the next fire threat by creating a defensible space that protects their vines and structures and, in circumstances as serious as the Glass Fire, gives firefighters a chance to fend off impending flames safely. And they want to help their wine country neighbors to do the same.

​Beautiful and alluring acres upon acres of vineyards along the valley floor and up to the mountains attract many to the Napa Valley to live, work, and visit, and while the tourist economy is going strong it has become increasingly challenging to live and work in the area, motivating many growers in the region to explore alternatives to traditional farming.

Of significant importance to growers is how best to plan for and incorporate sustainable alternatives to traditional agricultural burning in vineyard management. Health and climate change concerns are a crucial part of reevaluating and renovating outdated farming practices. There is clear motivation to implement innovative, community-based solutions to minimize effects on air quality from various sources including transportation, building energy use, wood burning stoves, agricultural practices and more. And after devastating wildfires that have rocked the region and a significantly dry year, growers have more reason to invest in alternatives to traditional agricultural burning.

What is WHIP+?
Wildfire Hurricane Indemnity Program (WHIP+) program will provide $10 billion in critical relief to growers who suffered financial losses in 2020 and 2021 as a result of:

• Wildfire
• Smoke exposure
• Drought
• Excessive heat
• And other natural disasters

 
Eligibility and Application Details 
Eligible producers include an individual or legal entity that assumes ownership share and risk of the crop, production, and market risk associated with the agricultural production of the eligible crops (including trees, bushes, and vines) that were verifiably grown/produced at the time of the disaster.  The application is anticipated to open in the Spring of 2022.
 
What to do now to prepare for WHIP+ applications 
Growers who are interested in applying when funding becomes available must first establish their farm records with the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and complete a crop report before applying.
 
This can be done now by filling out the FSA form.  Proof of farm ownership (i.e. with a deed of trust, or property tax coupon that shows the APN#) and a ranch map is required, and can be submitted via email to your local FSA office at FSA.Vacaville.CA@usda.gov.

Professional grant writing assistance at no cost to small producers!
As part of our recent California Underserved and Small Producers Program (CUSP) grant award, we are offering growers who fit the "small producer" criteria the ability to engage with a consulting firm to receive professional grant writing assistance when establishing farm records and applying for WHIP+ funding. If you are interested in utilizing these complimentary services to assist in your WHIP+ application, please contact Molly Williams at mwilliams@napagrowers.org at your earliest convenience.
 
All producers are encouraged to contact the Solano/Napa County FSA office for assistance with establishing records and applying for WHIP+. 
 
Solano/Napa County FSA Office
810 Vaca Valley Pkwy Ste 102, Vacaville
P: (707) 448-0106 | F: (844) 206-0106
FSA.Vacaville.CA@usda.gov

Pandemic Cover Crop Program (PCCP) Financial Assistance
The USDA has also announced this new financial assistance program for agricultural producers.  Growers who have coverage under most crop insurance policies are eligible for a premium benefit if you plant cover crops during the 2022 crop year.
 
Application details:

• Producers must establish farm records by submitting the FSA-AD-2047 form to their local FSA office along with proof of farm ownership (i.e. with a deed of trust, or property tax coupon that shows the APN#).
• Request the FSA-578 form to report cover crop acreage
• The application must be completed and submitted to your FSA office by March 15, 2022  

 
Contact the Solano/Napa County FSA office via email or phone at (707) 448—0106 for assistance and more information.

Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) announces that bud break has begun in Napa Valley.  “We’re seeing variable bud break in our chardonnay planted in the Carneros AVA,” said Brittany Pederson, Director of Viticulture for Renteria Vineyard Management, “Within the next week, we’ll begin seeing bud break throughout the valley.”
 
Pederson added that her water reserves were full in most locations, and while grape growers need rain, she feels good heading into the new season. “Because the soils are dry, we got a head start with floor management this year,” Pederson said, “For example, we’ve been able to mow and disk early, which helps prepare us for frost season.”  By mowing and disking cover crop now, soils can hold the necessary heat to keep frost from damaging delicate buds, it also allows for air flow – both of which support a healthy growing season for Napa’s vineyards.
 
With sustainable practices top-of-mind, many grape growers are also welcoming sheep into their vineyards.  As herds graze freely on hearty cover crop, their nutrient-rich manure provides a quick way for grape growers to feed their soils, and an excellent way to reduce the usage of mowers throughout the vineyard. 

​The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) kicked off the year collecting cold-weather clothing through their very first Winter Coat Drive.
 
Throughout January, Napa Valley grape growers, vineyard managers, and ag-based businesses donated high-quality, warm clothing – coats, scarves, socks, and gloves – digging deep into their closets to support community members in need.  In total, 335 coats were donated for distribution through local community groups, like Puertas Abiertas, On the Move, and the Salvation Army.
 
“Whether it is a seminar on climate-smart vineyard practices with NVG or a summer mentor program for local high school students with the Farmworker Foundation – everything we do aims to support and strengthen the Napa Valley community for a brighter tomorrow,” said Jennifer Putnam, Executive Director and CEO of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation, “To collect warm coats for families in need was an effective and meaningful way to support this winter – and NVG members contributed beyond any expectations!”

The Napa County Pruning Contest is almost of drinking age, having just celebrated its 20th year on Saturday at Beringer Vineyards’ Gamble Ranch.
 
Put on each year by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation and Napa Valley Grapegrowers, the pruning contest is a way for the organizations to recognize the valley’s talented vineyard crews.
 
This year’s winners came from Renteria Vineyard Management and Joseph Phelps Vineyards, with Erika López taking the women’s title and Casimiro Zaragoza for the men, respectively.
 
​Those who came in second, third, and fourth also were awarded, with Atlas Vineyard Management’s Agustín Arias, St. Supery’s Hector Rodríguez, and Walsh Vineyards Management’s Lorenzo Hernández Aquino winning in the men’s category. Verónica Medina Reyes from Bayview — who won first place in the 2019 competition, Ana Mejia from Trefethen, and Rosa Martínez from Bettinelli Vineyards were honored in the women’s contest.

By Kristen Bieler

In the fall of 2020, the grapes in Alison Sokol Blosser's vineyards were ripe—and she had no one to pick them.
Pandemic-related travel restrictions meant that none of her international harvest interns had arrived, and the local labor pool in Oregon's Yamhill County, where the winery is located, was essentially nonexistent. "We had to get the grapes off, so I pulled my kids out of school and my nephews and my parents—who hadn't picked grapes in 30 years—all worked in the vineyard."
Grappling with a similar labor shortage in 2021, Sokol Blosser, like so many desperate vintners across the U.S., turned to farm labor contractors for hiring needs, which drove up seasonal costs exponentially. "We need solutions; the labor crisis is not going away," she told Wine Spectator.

There is so much going on in our personal and professional lives right now. We want to make it easy for you to get a quick digest of what the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) and Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) are doing for you this winter.
 
How NVG is Working for Members This Winter:

• With the ever-changing landscape of COVID-19 Regulations, we are reviewing all current resources to make sure you have the most accurate information at your fingertips. Don't miss our webinar on January 27!
• We are introducing more wildfire education and site tours led by our Wildfire Task Force to share best practices with members.
• Our 2022 Strategic Sponsorship Program has launched to highlight our partners in agriculture through ongoing promotion throughout the year.
• The 2021 Wages & Benefits Survey will go out to growers & vineyard manager members to analyze vineyard labor practices and compensation in our industry.
• Two Sustainable Vineyard Practices seminars will be held in partnership with Napa Valley Vineyard Technical Group (Vit Tech).
• We will continue to provide our Weather Alert, free to NVG members.

 
How FWF is Working to Support Farmworkers This Winter:

• The English Literacy Program begins in January for beginner and intermediate students.

• We are introducing a new Excel for Supervisors intensive course; intended for vineyard supervisors and managers who would like to improve their skills.
• After a 2-year hiatus, 2022 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Napa County Pruning Contest! We are revising the format of the event to adhere to all safety standards that will allow us to still celebrate the amazing skills of our vineyard workforce.
• Our first Train the Trainer workshop will start with a virtual Pesticide Safety certification.
• Due to popular demand, we have 3 days of CPR & First Aid training in Spanish.
• Finally, following the success of last year, we have launched our 2022 Strategic Partner Program for companies that want to join us in support of the Napa Valley farmworker community.
• Learn More about the Farmworker Foundation on their new, dedicated site!

​Step 1:
Review the latest Cal/OSHA COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standards (ETS), effective January 14, including new testing, exclusion, and face covering requirements. ​For Spanish resources and information on updates and revisions, visit the Cal/OSHA website.

​Step 2:
Register for NVG's upcoming webinar: COVID-19 Updates for Employers with Erica Rosasco, Partner at McKague Rosasco LLP. Topics include Cal/OSHA's ETS, what to do when an employee tests positive, sick leave, return to work, testing, and vaccine policies, and more. 

​Step 3:
Order free rapid tests through USPS! Every household in the U.S. is now eligible to order 4 free at-home rapid tests. For more information and FAQs visit the covidtests.gov. 

Step 4:
Work with supervisors and foremen to ensure general COVID-19 safety protocols:

1. Review CDPH Guidance for Isolation and Quarantine at a glance
2. Provide face coverings when required and encourage the use of NIOSH-approved N95 masks; a list of CDC-approved sources can be found here
3. Utilize NVG COVID-19 resources for members in English and Spanish
4. Provide employees with access to testing when required; view testing options on NVG's COVID Testing page.

Step 5:
Encourage booster shots for all employees! Our partners at St. Helena Hospital Foundation continue to provide vaccine clinics. No appointments are necessary.