To All VVA Members: Sustainable Viticulture Practices Workbook
This document is one stage of a multi-step project to guide Virginia grape producers who wish to increase the sustainability of their vineyard operations. The project has been an industry initiative from the start, and will continue to have input from end-users such as you, and from an industry steering committee.
The document was distributed in draft form in August 2011 to members of the Virginia Vineyards Association. Based on feedback from that circulation, a revised scoring scheme and other, minor changes to the document were made. We would like to receive comments back on this version of the document prior to January 2012. Please use the workbook in assessing the sustainability of your own vineyard and let us know about your experience. What worked, what didn’t, and what would you like to see that was not included here? For example, one or two people who reviewed the preliminary draft felt that environmental sustainability needed to be strengthened. We welcome these suggestions but would ask for specific suggestions on scientifically-sound methods for improved sustainability.
Your input will help determine the next steps of this initiative. Let us know what you would like to see in a future phase of this project. Let us know if you are interested in joining a core committee that will meet in January 2012 to move this project forward. All feedback will be organized and shared anonymously with the core committee in January 2012.
Tremain Hatch, Research/Extension Viticulture Associate | Virginia Tech
thatch@vt.edu |(540) 869-2560 x11