Quarterly Update from Beth Vukmanic | Q4 2024
Happy New Year!
Last year your Membership had a BIG impact. I hope you enjoy perusing the Year in Review graphic below (beautifully designed by Hayli).
2024 also had its challenges. In a recent Sustainable Winegrowing podcast interview, Audra Cooper (Turrentine Brokerage) explains how it is difficult to plant to demand. This year, growers saw oversupply and low yields, plus regulatory restrictions.
Audra and colleague Eddie Urman emphasized the importance of developing a multi-year plan and focusing on consistent farming practices to maintain grape quality. Both also acknowledged it is not easy!
Our grower-based Board understands these challenges firsthand. To support you, they wanted the first Tailgate to help you Thrive in 2025. A grower panel will discuss where to find cost savings without compromising quality, learn about funding grapevine genetic research, and get the latest bulk wine trends.
Here at the Team, we’ve focused on the business side of sustainability too by updating our standard operating procedures, revising the employee handbook, refining policies, and developing a Board training.
You will also notice new (and improved) online forms for Membership, events, and donations. While all new tech comes with a learning curve, we are excited to streamline Member data and improve email efficiency.
Speaking of email communications…we heard you'd like a lighter load in your inbox so we are reducing the number of emails we send. The websites (Vineyard Team, SIP Certified, Sustainable Ag Expo) are always up to date so you can find what you need.
With your support, we’re excited to kick off the new year with:
- A great lineup of Tailgates including grazing, bio fungicides, and an intro to dry farming.
- Already planning Sustainable Ag Expo speakers.
- New Sustainable Winegrowing Podcast episodes - from soils to social media.
- Ag Order 4.0 regulatory relief (+time savings!) for participating SIP Certified vineyards.
- Juan Nevarez Memorial Scholarship applications (opening in February).
Thank YOU for your Membership - we can’t do it without you.
Sincerely,
Beth Vukmanic
Pop QuizHow many hours of education were offered through Vineyard Team programs in 2024? A. 5,309 |
Cheers!
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P.S. Pop Quiz answer is: C:13,764 hours You read that right… Between Tailgates, the Sustainable Ag Expo, Sustainable Winegrowing On-Demand (online course), and the Sustainable Winegrowing podcast, over 19k people enjoyed 13,764 hours of educational content. This included access to 29.5 DPR and 78 CCA hours. More to come in 2025! |
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