Sustainable Story | Happy, Helping Hooves Weeds challenge farms of all sizes. When Melani Harding, Owner and Winemaker at Bon Niche Cellars, decided to stop using herbicides, weeds got out of hand and she looked for more sustainable control methods. She adopted Nigerian dwarf goats, who promptly began cleaning up the property. But since they’ll gladly eat budding and maturing grapes, they can only free-roam the vineyard between harvest and bud break. Babydoll sheep joined the crew next. They are the perfect height for removing excess vine leaves… which also means they can reach the fruit! They also must leave the vineyard at bud break and are welcome back with the goats after harvest. Melani wanted to achieve year-round weed control. After some research, she found the perfect solution: Kunekune pigs with short stature and a natural inclination for grazing. In 2021, Gilbert the Pig joined the farm and quickly became a local celebrity. Over the years, Melani has established

Sustainable Ag Expo  I  November 12    I    10:30-11:15 am SmartFarm is an open source computing system that combines advances in AI, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cloud computing to support applications in digital agriculture. SmartFarm simplifies the use of these advances and can run on-farm (to keep farm data private) while it efficiently and intelligently controls on-farm operations (sensing, robotics, irrigation, and others). CE Approved: 1 CCA - PV GET TICKETS --- Chandra Krintz is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) and co-founder and Chief Scientist of AppScale Systems, Inc. She joined the UCSB faculty in 2001 after receiving her M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Computer Science from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). Chandra has led a number of different research projects that have advanced the state-of-the-art in programming and distributed systems in ways that improve performanc

2024 Vineyard Team Membership is open! Get access to the latest field-tested sustainable viticulture & industry networking. Grower/Winery members get access to all Tailgates free of charge, discounts to the Sustainable Ag Expo, and the opportunity to network with like-minded farmers and ag professionals. Business members connect with farmers, ag professionals, and pest control advisors and network directly with upper-level agricultural decision-makers. Membership level $1,500 and up includes a booth at the Sustainable Ag Expo. *2024 booths are all claimed by renewed members! Email hayli@vineyardteam.org to join the waitlist. Click HERE to learn about all of our programs!

211: Vineyard Nutrient Management Across the United States When it comes to nutrition in your vineyard, you need to know the environment that your vineyard is planted in including mineral nutrition, soil microbes, nitrogen from rainwater, and nutrients or potentially salt from well water. Fritz Westover, Host of the Vineyard Underground Podcast and Founder of Virtual Viticulture Academy shares a big-picture approach for nutrient management that is practical for any grower. He covers: Why it is important to test tissue both at bloom and veraison How to take tissue samples When macro and micronutrient additions are most essential If you are a long-time Member of our organization then you probably remember Fritz from his days with Vineyard Team in 2013 and 2014. We are thrilled to have Fritz back on air with us for the third time. Plus, I recently had the pleasure of being a guest on his podcast, Vineyard Underground. Search for episode 034: Why Sustainability Certification Programs for

Sustainable Winegrowing Education Without the Travel ⁣ Over the next two years, Vineyard Team is creating a suite of 30 online courses so you can learn about topics that actually impact your business. This program is made possible by Western SARE. 7 courses are LIVE NOW, 2 of them are BRAND NEW! Click here to SIGN-UP 2 New FREE Courses Biologicals Update and What is New for Biologicals in Vineyards DPR 1, CCA 1 Speaker: Dr. Pam Marrone, Chestnut Bio Advisors Course Content: Define biologicals and their categories. How biologicals differ from synthetic pesticides, their advantages, and why their market is growing quickly. Companies and products available in each category and some of their characteristics and advantages. Resources to keep up on this rapidly changing field of sustainable farming. Foliar Fertilizers in Vineyards CCA 1 Speaker: Dr. Paul Schreiner, USDA ARS Corvalis Course Content: Advantages of foliar fertilizers. The role of the leaf cuticle in penetration o