During last week’s hour-long all-industry Zoom we were joined again by some excellent guest speakers. I want to point first to those who presented a concise but thorough crop insurance overview starting at the 32-minute mark of the recording.
As you can see in the snapshot below, Oregon’s level of insured grape acreage is up almost 50% from a year ago and now stands at half of California’s coverage percentage according to data from USDA’s Risk Management Agency.
There was also an important update four minutes into the Zoom recording from the OWB’s Kai McMurtry on some welcome improvements made to eligibility and qualification guidelines for Travel Oregon’s Wine Country License Plates Matching Grant program. The five-week application window opened last Wednesday, Aug. 11, and continues to represent one of the best ways an AVA association can line up with their regional tourism counterparts to maximize the impact of joint investments. Don’t miss the due date: Wednesday, Sept. 15.
Don’t forget to register here for the next all-industry Zoom taking place Oct. 12 at 11 a.m.
And of course with extreme heat and fire smoke top of mind again for everyone in the West, we want to make sure you have access to this statewide air quality map from Oregon’s DEQ along with Oregon OSHA’s temporary rule on wildfire smoke that went into effect last week. OSHA Administrator Michael Wood discussed the wildfire smoke protection rule in this recording from Aug. 6, which lives in the OWB’s Wildfire Smoke Toolkit. After that, OSHA released an online training module that takes about an hour and covers six of the 10 training requirements for the new temporary rule.
While on the subject of smoke, see this technical bulletin on wildfire impact from ETS Labs that may have been overlooked in our last newsletter. Also, Oregon’s SAIF (State Accident Insurance Fund Corp.) has made this two-pager available on wildfire smoke training. It’s here as well in Spanish.
For business owners looking abroad to find new sales opportunities in 2022, you might be interested in learning more about the ways in which OWB deploys federal grant money to expand Oregon’s international presence. Check out this page on the OWB’s website where you’ll find things like the global event calendar, the industry’s International Committee participants—whom you are welcome to join any time—and the most recent newsletter. Contact Marie Chambers for further information.
Finally, this is the second notice that the governor’s office is accepting applications from those interested in a three-year appointment to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors. The next term begins Jan. 1, 2022, but the application deadline for that term is Oct. 1, 2021. The governor’s Executive Appointments Office asks that all applicants use this interest form, but be aware that a complete application packet includes the form along with answers to some supplemental questions plus a resume and a short bio. For answers to some FAQs about service on the Oregon Wine Board, click here.
And for still more information on the process, please click here. The governor’s staff directs applicants to send completed packets to: [email protected].
Tom Danowski
President
P.S. Way to go Walla Walla. For the second straight time, this acclaimed bi-state AVA has been named America’s Best Wine Region in USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards. Walla Walla Valley prevailed over 19 other finalists.
Marketing
Read our recent International Marketing newsletter
OWB’s latest newsletter about international marketing activities was published Aug. 10. It includes a recap of activities in international target markets over the last year and outlines the events planned for this upcoming cycle.
Wine Spectator co-op advertising opportunity | Deadline: Aug. 24
Wine Spectator is offering a cooperative advertising opportunity in its November 2021 holiday edition, providing exposure in the magazine at a more affordable price than standalone advertising. Participation is first-come, first-served. The deadline to reserve space is Aug. 24. Click here to learn more or contact Cheryl Lewis.
Research
August 2021 Weather and Climate Forecast
On Aug. 3, Dr. Greg Jones published an updated weather and climate summary and forecast. This report looks back at July conditions and forecasts conditions for August, September, and October.
OWB-SPONSORED V&E RESEARCH UPDATE
Developing a methodology to generate transgene-free edited grapevine
Dr. Laurent Deluc, associate professor of grape genomics at Oregon State University and the Oregon Wine Research Institute, has prepared an update about his research to establish a gene editing methodology to produce transgene-free edited grapevine material.
Participate in OSU Extension water use survey | Deadline: Aug. 31
OSU Viticulture Extension is asking for your input by Aug. 31 on vineyard water use and irrigation management through this survey. They would like to know how water is being used and managed in Oregon vineyards in order to determine industry education needs. The survey should only take a few minutes to complete.
Education
Summer School: Revisiting Symposium 2021
The Symposium team is hard at work getting ready for three days of live virtual education sessions taking place Feb. 15-17, 2022. In the meantime, we encourage you to take some time this summer to brush up on lessons offered at the 2021 Symposium. Go here for quick links to the top-rated sessions from each track, and find dozens more free to access on our website.
Opportunities
Wine Country License Plates matching grant application period open | Deadline: Sept. 15
Travel Oregon is now accepting applications for the next installment of the Wine Country License Plates matching grant program. Eligible projects or initiatives must provide for the improvement or expansion of the tourism economy in Oregon and must promote wine and/or culinary tourism. Learn more here and apply by Sept. 15.
Apply to the Oregon Wine Board of Directors | Deadline: Oct. 1
The Executive Appointments staff at the governor’s office are accepting applications from industry members interested in joining the Oregon Wine Board of Directors for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2022. Learn more about Oregon Wine Board service and submit your application by Oct. 1.
Applications are now open for vineyard stewards and employers to participate in the 2022 AHIVOY Wine Industry Professional training program. Application details and FAQs can be found on the AHIVOY website, and AHIVOY representatives are available to meet with vineyard stewards to answer any questions they may have about the program.
Other news
N95, KN95, and 3-ply masks available from ODA and OSU
ODA is offering to ship cases of masks to local industry associations or larger businesses who can help distribute them to workers regionally. The masks are authorized for distribution for both COVID and smoke. N95 masks come 960 per case, while procedural masks are 2,000 per case. Contact Jonathan Sandau at ODA by Aug. 18 to order. Smaller quantities of masks including KN95s may be available to pick up directly from OSU extension offices. Contact your local extension office to confirm availability.
New resources added to OWB’s Wildfire Smoke Toolkit
OWB’s Wildfire Smoke Toolkit has been recently updated to incorporate new resources. These additions include information about Oregon OSHA’s latest temporary rule, helpful documents from SAIF, and more.
See OWB’s COVID-19 Toolkit for latest news
OWB’s COVID-19 Toolkit has been updated to include the latest information on Governor Brown’s statewide mask mandate as well as information from Oregon OSHA. The latter includes a workplace advisory memo regarding employer enforcement of facial coverings in response to the reinstated mandate.
Make a nomination for the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Awards | Deadline: Nov. 15
Nominations for the 2022 Oregon Wine Industry Awards are being accepted until Nov. 15. The awards recognize contributions to the industry in the categories of Lifetime Achievement, Founder, Outstanding Industry Leadership, Vineyard Excellence, and Industry Partner.
Oregon Wine Industry Forum | Next meeting: Oct. 12
The monthly Oregon Wine Industry Forum will be on haitus during September, with the next meeting scheduled for Oct. 12. Register for the final three meetings of 2021 to stay current on industry trends, connect with industry members across the state, and keep informed on OWB programming and opportunities.