Climate Smart Agriculture

Growers throughout the country and around the world plant a wide range of cover crops for a variety of reasons. Cover crops can reduce soil compaction, improve water infiltration, improve soil structure, and feed soil microbes: they encourage a healthier and more diverse soil ecosystem.

Authors: Alli Fish and Niki Mazaroli, Strategy Research Science Silvopasture is the intentional and intensive combination of trees, forage, and livestock on the same piece of land.

As I have mentioned in my previous blogs, I have a certain affinity for cover crops. Mostly it is because I see enormous potential to increase the soil health and climate resiliency in Ventura County agriculture by incorporating cover crops.

Located in Laytonville, CA, 150 miles North of San Francisco and 12 miles from the Pacific Ocean, sits Alder Springs Vineyard. This remarkable piece of land is home to approximately 140 acres of wine grape vines ranging in cultivars and management practices.

There has been much buzz and renewed interest recently in planting trees as a tool to combat both the causes and impacts of climate change.