As researchers continue to seek practical solutions for mitigating (or lessening) the effects of climate change, they keep coming back to the solution in the soil. Life within the soil, whether it's growing roots or soil microorganisms, all use the carbon that's in the atmosphere as their building blocks. That is why CA Department of Food and Agriculture has awarded the local resource conservation districts (Mendocino, Sonoma and Napa County RCDs) a $394,425 grant for the development of climate beneficial management practices on vineyards over the next two years. The goal of this project will be the creation of a network for grape-growers in the three counties to participate in scientific field trials of soil health and climate beneficial BMPs, with the goal of understanding how different soil management practices sequester carbon, affect vine health and grape quality. The project will also provide opportunities for hands-on learning, farmer-to-farmer communication and mentoring, and an expanded network of regional farm trials.
For more information visit http://sonomarcd.org/, http://naparcd.org/ or http://mcrcd.org/