Climate Adaption For California Winegrowers Focus Of 1-Day Conference

SONOMA COUNTY, CA — The California Land Stewardship Institute and Fish Friendly Farming are hosting a climate conference Jan. 17 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds.

The event, "Agriculture and Climate Conference: Adapting Today for Tomorrow’s Changes," will address current and future climate impacts facing California’s winegrowing community and will educate on climate adaptations, organizers said in a news release.

"The urgency to plan for the future of winegrowing cannot be understated," said Laurel Marcus, science director for California Land Stewardship Institute and founder of Fish Friendly Farming, "Climate impacts are not limited to an increase in wildfires. Drought and water shortages as well as rising temperatures will affect our ability to continue growing the wine varieties that Northern California has produced for decades."

The full-day conference will provide climate education, training and support for winegrowers and those working in agriculture. An impressive lineup of speakers and panelists has been secured and includes state policy experts, winegrowers, fire experts, meteorologists, water supply experts and ecologists, organizers said.

Presentations and discussions will include past climate effects in California and an overview of predicted temperatures, droughts and fire conditions throughout the Northern California wine country for the next 100 years. The effects of these conditions on winegrowing, water supply and wildfire will also be covered. Tickets to the event are $20 and include a boxed lunch. The day will conclude with a tasting of wines grown from heat-tolerant grape varieties.

"Climate change will continue to challenge the Northern California winegrowing community,” Marcus said. "It is essential that winegrowers get the support and information they need to adapt to future conditions."

The full agenda, a list of speakers and registration information can be found at ag-climate conference.org. The conference is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 17 at Saralee and Richard’s Barn at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road in Santa Rosa. Doors open at 7:30 a.m.