The Sotoyome Resource Conservation District in Santa Rosa established the Fish Friendly Farming program in 1997, to protect the Russian River watershed. Laurel Marcus of the conservation district brought together local vintners, environmental groups, and various government agencies to create a template for improved land management.

The resulting workbook was designed to assist landowners evaluating their farming and land management practices, and then implementing “Beneficial Management Practices” (BMPs) that would promote sustainable agriculture, restore fish and wildlife habitat, and improve water quality.

The certificate program has since expanded to Mendocino, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties, and the the nonprofit California Land Stewardship Institute was formed in 2005, to operate the program.

Participating growers receive technical assistance designing and implementing ecological restoration projects, covering soil conservation, water conservation, and restoring riparian corridors. After the farm conservation plans are implemented, three resource agencies–the California Department of Fish and Game, Regional Water Quality Control Board and the National Marine Fisheries Service–provide an objective third-party certification.

The Fish Friendly Farming program continues to work with the landowner to finance major restoration projects, and to re-certify participating vineyards. In the Napa Valley, the State Water Resources Control Board provides grants to vintners.

Contact:

[1] Fish Friendly Farming

[2] Napa County Resource Conservation District

[3] Napa Valley Vintners Association

[4] Napa Valley Grapegrowers

[5] Napa County Farm Bureau

[6] Sonoma County Grapegrowers

[7] Sonoma County Farm Bureau

[8] Mendocino County Winegrowers Alliance

[9] Mendocino County Farm Bureau