CCVT receives national recognition for environmental sustainability
Released 7/99

Renew America's National Awards Council for Environmental Sustainability recognized the Central Coast Vineyard Team (CCVT) for their commitment towards environmental sustainability.

CCVT was one of four finalists in this highly competitive national search for sustainable organizations in the country. CCVT will be placed in the Environmental Success Index (www.crest.org/renew-america) which chronicles more than 1,400 effective environmental programs nationwide that measurably protect, restore or enhance the environment.

Programs in the Index meet tough standards for program effectiveness, natural resource conservation, economic progress and human development.

Jenny Broome, Associate Director for the statewide UC Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program and long time researcher into alternative disease management strategies, comments on her involvement with CCVT: "I have worked with the Team from the start and feel privileged to be a part of this grower-lead initiative for increasing the long term sustainability of grape growing on the Central Coast. The Team takes very seriously the role growers can play in being a steward and protector of the human and natural resources in a community. "

CCVT represents a broad-based community partnership of winegrape growers, wineries, consultants, farm advisors, environmental interests, and government representatives whose mission is to promote environmentally sustainable vineyard practices on the Central Coast.

Team members either own or manage more than 30,000 acres in the three-county region and have been collaborating on several outreach and education projects for more than three years.

Most notable, CCVT developed the Positive Points System (PPS)-a method for evaluating the extent of sustainable farm practices used in vineyards. This protocol was developed to both educate and guide growers towards more sustainable practices.

Over the last 3 years, more than 50 growers have participated in the evaluations and more than 10,000 acres have been specifically evaluated using the PPS. Each year, participation in the PPS and Team's activities has increased.

In addition, CCVT uses a "grower-to-grower" approach to highlight specific sustainable practices through Tailgate Meetings, Grower Testimonials, and Demonstrations at Template Farms.

For more information about CCVT and their Positive Points System, call 805-434-4848