Dr. David Montgomery comes to Portland to talk healthy soil and the future of farming
Portland, OR – February 5, 2020…The effects of climate change have been top-of-mind for many in the wine industry, with climbing temperatures unpredictable weather patterns forcing changes in harvests and shortening growing seasons. The changes have created an urgency to adapt, as well as an opportunity to reevaluate farming techniques that contribute to the climate crisis. Despite contributing $5.61 billion in statewide economic impact each year, and growing critical acclaim, many eyes are on Oregon’s winegrowing community to shape changing practices in the region in years to come.
Dr. David Montgomery, MacArthur Fellow and University of Washington professor of geomorphology will present his work February 12 at the Oregon Wine Symposium, including research from his books Dirt: The Erosion of Civilizations and Growing a Revolution: Bringing Our Soil Back to Life. Montgomery has been researching and writing about farming methods that use less fossil fuel, fertilizer and pesticides than traditional farming, all of which negatively impact the health of vineyard workers, the vigor of the soil, and profitability.
Johan Vineyards’ Dan Rinke and Atlas Vineyard Management’s Karl Mohr will moderate the seminar entitled Carbon Farming for Successful Vineyard Systems. This lecture will focus on the benefits of no-till farming and cover crop management providing a profitable recipe to rebuild soil organic matter, cultivate beneficial soil life, smother weeds, and suppress pests, all with the focus of minimizing the impact on the environment.
Also timely is the fact that as our industry continues to grow, the OWB has seen winemakers to move to globally recognized sustainability certifications such as Demeter for biodynamic certifications, especially in the last year. In 2019, Oregon accounted for 52% of Demeter certified acreage. Demeter International is the largest certification organization for Biodynamic agriculture.
Now in its 14th year, 2020 Oregon Wine Symposium, February 11-12, attracts 1,700 attendees from all over the globe as the Oregon wine industry’s business, farming and technical conference. Presented by the Oregon Wine Board and featuring more than 25 educational sessions and 180 exhibitors at the accompanying tradeshow, the Oregon Wine Symposium represents the best and brightest of the burgeoning Oregon wine industry.
Full Access Admission to the event includes two days of informational seminars in three specialized tracks: viticulture, enology and sales & marketing, access to the Northwest wine industry’s biggest trade show, entry into the Oregon Wine Soirée, a seat at the Oregon Wine Industry Awards ceremony, and a chance to taste wines from innovative experiments from around the state at the Experimental Wine Tasting. Spanish-interpretation and Tradeshow Only tickets are also available.
For additional information on the program, speakers and special events, visit www.oregonwinesymposium.com.
About the Oregon Wine Board
The Oregon Wine Board is a semi-independent Oregon state agency managing marketing, research and education initiatives that support and advance the Oregon wine and wine grape industry. The Board works on behalf of all Oregon wineries and independent growers throughout the state’s diverse winegrowing regions. Visit oregonwine.org.
