CCVT helps growers implement new practices and measures their impacts on environmental quality. Research and demonstration growers, in cooperation with CCVT staff and technical advisors, address the following issues:

• Protecting surface and groundwater quality
• Conserving wildlife habitat
• Minimizing soil erosion
• Reduced risk insect and disease control
• Biological control techniques

Through the implementation of new practices at project sites, participating growers learn about the effectiveness of various management practices in their vineyard. Also, non-demonstration growers can learn about practices through CCVT’s Outreach and Education program.

Project staff, technical advisors, and growers collaborate to implement and monitor specific practices. Frequent monitoring and evaluations help determine the effectiveness of these practices, and help growers adopt these practices over time. Through this collaborative process, growers are more likely to be successful and their risks of adopting new practices can be minimized.

CCVT invites non-project growers to attend educational “tailgate” meetings at these project  vineyards, where growers learn from one another and understand the issues first-hand. Over 5,000 people have attended Tailgates since they began in 1999. In addition, approximately 25,000 acres are represented at a typical CCVT tailgate series which occurs in three counties. 

CCVT’s Projects are funded by several State grants and contributions from members. Faculty from the University of California Cooperative Extension and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo serve as technical advisors to the project. In addition, CCVT growers make generous contributions by donating their time, materials, land, and funds to support these projects.

For More Information on Specific Projects

• Biologically Integrated Farming Systems
• Clean Water Project
• Cover Crop Assessment and Water Quality
• Pesticide Mitigation