Uncork [a More Sustainable] New York!
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We see encouraging signs that New York State agriculture is making strides towards adopting more sustainable management practices - and Finger Lakes viticulture is no exception. The other day we were pleased to see a newsletter in the mail from Hosmer Winery which among other things talked about the progress they are making towards sustainable grape production. The folks at Hosmer recently completed a “Sustainable Viticulture Self-Assessment Workbook” in order to take a close look at their production practices and how they might be improved.
Hosmer, it turns out, scored pretty well in terms of sustainability, but - as they are quick to acknowledge - there is always room for improvement. Indeed, “continuous improvement” is the watchword in every successful business. Congratulations to the Hosmer Winery people on their pursuit of sustainable management practices!
The Sustainable Viticulture Self-Assessment which Hosmer undertook should really be on the “To Do” list for every vineyard, large and small, throughout New York State. We know there are others out there who like Hosmer have already done the self-assessment - but others have not. The self-assessment workbook is a joint effort between Cornell Cooperative Extension, the New York Farm Viability Institute, and the Northeast Center for Risk Management Education. You can find the workbook, along with lots of other great sustainability resources, at www.vinebalance.com. In the final analysis, New York agriculture in general, and New York viticulture in particular, will survive these tough times only through responsible stewardship and sustainable management practices. It’s good for the bottom line, too.
The lay reader (i.e., Joe and Jane Citizen who enjoy a glass or two now and then but are not much into plant husbandry beyond the potted African violets in their kitchen) might find the following five-part discussion of sustainable viticulture, brought to us by American Feast, quite interesting:
Sustainable Viticulture in the Napa Valley Pt. 1: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TylPIZwuFZY
Sustainable Viticulture in the Napa Valley Pt. 2: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TylPIZwuFZY
Sustainable Viticulture in the Napa Valley Pt. 3: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ7s2mZT7Ro
Sustainable Viticulture in the Napa Valley Pt. 4: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITMTwYAkudg
Sustainable Viticulture in the Napa Valley Pt. 5: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0FhoNEGmCZs
…This group of videos is from Cailfornia - but hey, we won’t hold that against them!
Uncork New York!
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Food & Agriculture, Tools for Communities | Chris Nill | 17 July 2008 |
