May 11th – Sonoma County Winegrowers, in partnership with the California Land Stewardship Institute, is excited to launch a new video series showcasing how our local grape growers are working to be part of the climate solution. This first video Climate Farmers of Sonoma County – Episode 1 Sunnyview Vineyard – YouTube is from the Sunnyview Vineyard of Dutton Ranch in the heart of the Russian River Valley. This site is not only unique for its climate adaptation practices, but it is also the home of the Sonoma County Winegrowers office and it has received a grant through California Department of Food & Agriculture (CDFA) to be a demo site to educate growers on sustainability, soil health and climate friendly farming. A new Climate Farmers of Sonoma County video will be released each month featuring a climate adaptation certification pilot partner. The videos can be seen on the Sonoma County Winegrowers’ YouTube channel. Join us each month to learn more about the critical role agriculture plays in climate adaption. We recognize the important role of local climate solutions for our global climate issues and we invite you to join us in the movement to be part of the climate solution.
Background on Climate Adaptation Certification:
The Climate Adaptation Certification program created by the California Land Stewardship Institute (CLSI) uniquely creates climate farming scenarios that are custom for each vineyard. CLSI developed the Climate Adaptation Certification program with the goal to limit carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions while focusing on carbon sequestration to improve the health of the soil and the farm. The program meets both the State of California’s climate goals and the United States’ Department of Agriculture’s Healthy Soil goals.
Based on the 20 sites in Sonoma County that participated in the pilot program, up to 2,184 metric tons of CO2 equivalents can be removed annually from the atmosphere. This is the annual equivalent of charging more than 278 million smartphones or the electricity consumed in 370 American homes or more than 5.4 million miles driven by a passenger vehicle each year. It is estimated that agriculture is responsible for contributing only 8% of California’s Greenhouse Gas emissions but it could lead the nation in carbon sequestration and provide critical benefits to the environment.
The Clite Adaption Certification is being expanded this month in Sonoma County beyond the 20 pilot sites. Please reach out to CLSI or SCW if you are interested in learning more.
