Good News!
It rained—and rained and rained and there’s more in the forecast!
The rain has been beneficial for vineyards, and for replenishing reservoirs and groundwater. However, the drought continues in Napa Valley, and water conservation is top-of-mind for the Napa Valley Grapegrowers. We’ve dedicated programming and advocacy efforts to focus on water, from offering irrigation and reclamation best practices to advocating on behalf of Napa Valley’s grape growers on critical water needs. We have more to say about water below, along with links to resources and events. And one thing is certain: it isn’t just grapes that benefit from the rain, it’s our water-loving friends, like these otters, too! 
This work, like everything we do, is made possible by donors, like you. Thank you.
A Funding Source = 1% for the Planet
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers is funded largely by donors who attend Harvest STOMP each year, as well as sponsorships, membership dues, grants and other contributions. Recently, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers was selected as a 1% for the Planet Environmental Partner. With this recognition, we will gain access to a network of 1% for the Planet Business members that actively commit to giving 1% of gross sales to organizations making positive changes for the environment.
1% for the Planet is a global movement, created by Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, founder of Blue Ribbon Files, that provides organizations with support for solving the planet’s problems. Its Business members support 1% for the Planet Environmental Partners with monetary donations, volunteer time, in-kind donations, and other forms of promotion, and select which Environmental Partners to support. The carefully vetted selection process included a review of the Napa Valley Grapegrowers for its advocacy, conservation, stewardship, and education efforts toward a brighter future. To be eligible, the NVG met the following qualifications:
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers’ educational programming on environmental topics was assessed as was its annual calendar, which addresses the concerns we all face, such as water conservation and wildfire preparedness. Additionally, our programs, such as the Low Smoke Burning Program and Climate Science Series, taught by UC Berkeley Haas School of Business Senior Lecturer Drew Issacs were also taken into consideration. Through 1% for the Planet, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers is excited to build a broader network of environment-conscious businesses and organizations throughout Napa, the Northern California Bay Area, and beyond to share our mission and welcome new supporters. To learn more about 1% for the Planet, visit onepercentfortheplanet.org. 
Water WorksFrom the start, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has continually provided crucial resources and tools that have not been available anywhere else. We’re proud of our ability to adapt to the needs of our agricultural community with relevant programming and services. One perfect example of this is our response to water, whether its best practices for preventing erosion or addressing irrigation during a drought. On Thursday, February 2, we’ll offer a Water Conservation Seminar focused on water management in a drought, practical tools and processes, and complying with the Groundwater Sustainability Plan. Learn more here. While it’s unlikely we’ll face another atmospheric river like the ones we saw as the new year began, we offer a best practices for winter storms post on our Industry Blog that can be found here. Our best practices video library selection includes erosion control and cover crops. You can find those videos here. Additionally, our best practices videos and white papers also address drought with information about irrigation and water reclamation. You can find those here. We also provide a selection of event presentations focused on drought and irrigation. You can find those videos here. Our work on behalf of Napa Valley’s grape growers extends far beyond the tools and resources we provide via our programming and events. Our Industry & Community Relations Director, Molly Moran Williams, devotes a large percentage of her time to advocacy work, including water issues, with the goal of helping to meet environmental goals and ensure continued viability of farming. In the last year, Molly was an active participant in the development of Napa County’s Groundwater Sustainability Plan, to ensure growers were represented in the process. This plan was passed by the state last week. She was also instrumental in the development and delivery of two presentations on Water Mitigation Strategies in Napa Valley Vineyards. The first was presented to the Groundwater Sustainability Plan Technical Advisory Group and the second to the WICC Board (Watershed Council) This advocacy work helps ensure sustainable management of our precious resources. Non-Water News This year, thanks to the generosity of our donors, we’ve added a new position of Grower Advocacy Coordinator to expand our advocacy work, including water initiatives, crop-insurance needs, climate-resiliency education, and industry group partnerships. We are proud that our Fire Resiliency Best Practices in the Napa Valley video produced by our Program Director, Emily Hagerty, is featured at the top of the page of Napa County’s Fire Department Page. It makes crucial information about defensible space more widely available to all of the residents of Napa Valley and beyond. Thank you to our community for its support in making this possible. In the News
Napa Valley Register
Big Napa Valley Habitat Restoration Project to Begin Next Year Vintner Ted Hall's wish that steelhead trout could more easily go from the Napa River on the Napa Valley floor to the Bear Creek spawning grounds in the Mayacamas Mountains is getting a boost. San Francisco Examiner Rains are right on time for winegrowers As sheets of rain and hail pounded parts of San Francisco Tuesday, Michael Baldacci, owner and winemaker at Baldacci Family Vineyards, looked out his window at the renowned Stags Leap District in Napa County and saw his cover crops coming to life. Pulling Vines It's not every day you get to see this in action! Napa Valley Register Napa Valley Grapegrowers Report: Investing in the aquifer In recent years, there has been a surge in awareness and interest around sustainability and land stewardship across California farming communities — and not only among agricultural producers.
The Napa Valley Grapegrowers (Federal Tax ID #82-2012860) is a 501(c)3 non-profit. All donations received are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Identify the events pictured in the nine squares and win a prize! Send your answers to [email protected].
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