VASCM: Next Meeting & Water Conservation/IPM Workshop 7/31 at Ridge - Please RSVP

[Mary Lindsay]

A Reminder: Next VASCM Meeting and Water Conservation/IPM Workshop

Thursday, July 31 at Ridge Vineyards

PLEASE RSVP for the workshop to mary at munsvineyard.com (we need a count 
for lunch). Latecomers are always welcome even
if you don't RSVP, but if you can ahead of time it will help immensely.

Note that Ridge will demonstrate release of predatory mites. 

9:30-2:00  Water Conservation/IPM Workshop brought to us by the 
Sustainability Alliance (see agenda below)
2.5 Pest Management credits given --- NO CHARGE
lunch provided
2:00pm  Tour of Ridge with David Gates
3:00 - 5:00pm  VASCM Meeting: Pressure Bomb demo and deficit irrigation


This is an all-day focus on water quality/conservation, with a component 
including pest management.
The day will start with a workshop organized by the Sustainability 
Alliance and end with a regular VASCM
meeting. We hope you can come for the full day. Water use and monitoring 
vine health is a critical issue in
the vineyard. And now we have the driest spring on record and the State 
is in an official drought.

In addition, this is an opportunity to see and learn about the 
sustainable and organic practices at Ridge. Ridge is committed to 
sustainable practices and is transitioning to organic farming on 56 out 
of the 120 acres of vineyard on Monte Bello Ridge above Cupertino.  
Every operation is evaluated based on how it effects the environment, 
community, and grape and wine quality. Practices include soil 
management, composting, integrated pest management, raptor roosts and 
owl boxes for natural control of gophers, etc. You can see more at the 
website at www.ridgewine.com <http://www.ridgewine.com/>including 
vineyard information on "Integrated Pest Management" (including release 
of beneficial insects), "To Mow or Not to Mow", "Cover Crops".

2.5 Pest Management credits given for the workshop, 9:30-3:00pm

Workshop Agenda
9:30    Check-in and coffee
9:45    Opening -- CA Sustainable Winegrowing Program UPDATE
            /Joe Browde// and/or Ann Thrupp, CSWA         /
                                   
Segment = Water-Related Regulations
 
10:00    Water Issues and Regulations affecting Santa Cruz Mountain 
Vineyards
              /Mary Ellen Dick, Ag Water Quality Program Coordinator -- 
Central Coast Ag/ /Water Quality Coalition/
 
Segment = Reduced-Risk Pest Management

10:30     Integrated Pest Management (non-weed) -- Methods and Controls
              /Laura Breyer//, Breyer's Vineyard IPM Services/
 
11:00     Under-The-Vine Sustainable Weed Management
             /John// Roncoroni, UC Cooperative Extension/
 
11:30     Effective Use of Pest Natural Enemies (actual releases)
/              David Gates and Caleb Mosley, Ridge/

Noon      LUNCH
 
Segment = Management of Water (Conservation & Quality) and Associated 
Energy
 
12:30    Best Vineyard Practices for Conserving Water
/            Mark Greenspan, Advanced Viticulture /
 
1:00    Maximizing Efficiency of Irrigation Pumping and Drip Systems
          /Bill Green//, CSU-Fresno Center for Irrigation Technology/
 
2:00    Tour and Discussion of Ridge Vineyards' Water & IPM Practices
/           David Gates and Caleb Mosley, Ridge Vineyards/
/ /
3:00    VASCM Meeting Begins:  Discussion of Deficit Irrigation; 
pressure bomb demo
           followed by wine tasting - bring a bottle of wine to share

6:00pm    END

Ridge Vineyards
17100 Montebello Rd.
Cupertino
see the website at http://www.ridgewine.com/visiting/visiting.tml for a 
Google map.