Lake County Winegrowers Sustainable eNews – Jan. ’13

Welcome to our current edition of the Lake County Winegrape Commission’s Sustainable Winegrowing Program eNewsletter.

In this edition – Get involved with the upcoming Labor Management in Agriculture seminar on February 5th and 6th. Also, take advantage of a great day on February 21st for our Sustainable Winegrowing Program Grower Meeting…

Labor Management Seminar Coming February 5th & 6th!

Lake County, CA – The Lake County Winegrape Commission (LCWC) is bringing author, mediator, and teacher extraordinaire, Gregorio Billikopf to Lake County for a 2-day, specialized training – “Cultivating Personnel Productivity.” The seminar is designed for Spanish-speaking farm supervisors. The goal is to educate mid-level agricultural managers about their roles and responsibilities in implementing farm worker productivity. This seminar is scheduled for 9 AM to 4 PM, February 5 & 6, 2013 at the Lodge at Blue Lakes. You can register below.

According to the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), some 50-70% of the cost associated with annual winegrape production is attributed to labor. Farm supervisors, certainly, play a critical part in production. Better addressing their roles, providing skills and resources to these managers and improving understanding of performance and output is a key component to running a successful vineyard. Further, it contributes to sustainability across the board – ecologically, through instruction and implementation of best practices; social equity, through better training and an improved work environment; and increased economic viability by way of a more efficient vineyard workforce.
In this two-day training, Billikopf will provide attendees with key tools needed to strengthen their relationships with personnel, increasing employee productivity and heightening their satisfaction. Important topics include: recruitment, mentoring, mediation, sexual harassment prevention and conflict management. Through dynamic lecture and role plays Mr. Billikopf will guide and develop students’ confidence in the following areas: employee discipline, dealing with difficult subordinate behaviors, interpersonal negotiation skills, and using praise in everyday communications. Attendees will also receive a copy of Billikopf’s book, a National Award Winner, Labor Management in Agriculture: Cultivating Personnel Productivity (hardcover, available in both Spanish and English) Space is limited for this in-depth and highly sought after training. Contact Paul Zellman, LCWC Director of Education at paulz@lakecountywinegrape.org or 707-279-2633. This two-day session is supported by the Lake County Winegrape Commission and Mendocino WineGrowers, Inc. It is open to all foremen and supervisors working in vineyards, orchards, farms and ranches in Northern California.

Registration & Schedule at: EventBrite

Seminar cost: $120 ($140 after Feb. 1) – includes materials and lunch both days.

Early registration discount: Register by February 1, 2013 for only $120. If sending a check, the envelope must be postmarked by February 1, 2013.

Payment. You may pay by check or credit card. We strongly encourage you to register online via EventBrite. Save $20 when you register by February 1, 2013.

If paying by check: Make checks out to Lake County Winegrape Commission and mail to LCWC, PO Box 877 Lakeport, CA 95453.

For specific seminar questions, please contact Gregorio Billikopf at gebillikopf@ucdavis.edu or 209-525-6800. For more information on Agriculture Labor Management and Gregory Billikopf visit UC Berkeley’s Agriculture Labor Management webpage.

Sustainable Winegrowing Program Meeting, Lunch and Seminar for Lake County Winegrowers on Thursday, February 21st – Lake County Growers, don’t miss this excellent and informative day! Highlights include a tour of Sauvignon Blanc vineyards around Big Valley and the Kelsey Bench, a presentation by Lisa Francioni of the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) on the new and improved 3rd Edition of the California Code of Sustainable Winegrowing, talks on sustainable market trends and the LCWC Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP.) The day will also include lunch, a wine tasting and networking opportunities.

After the tour, the event will take place at the Grange in Kelseyville. Space is limited. More information and registration can be accessed here.