CLEARING THE AIR: AG BURNING OUTREACH MEETING | 9.12.23

The Lodi Winegrape Commission has learned through the mealybug and virus crisis that by getting everyone involved in one room to have informed discussions around a complex challenge, much progress can be made and it is easier to move forward in a positive and collaborative manner. Burning has been an efficient, effective and economical way to dispose of diseased plant material for centuries across the globe – rapidly removing harmful pathogens that are a threat to nearby vineyards and to the next crop that goes in the ground. As we attempted to navigate current open-air ag burning restrictions and understand our options to safely and effectively dispose of diseased vines, we quickly discovered that there exists an extreme amount of confusion on all sides, from the enforcers not understanding the nuances of the regulation to the growers not knowing how to legally remove a vineyard. To provide much-needed clarity and understanding amongst our winegrowing industry, the Lodi Winegrape Commission organized a big outreach meeting to gather industry and growers, the California Air Resources Board, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, County Ag Commissioners, and policy makers around the topic of open-air ag burning restrictions and alternatives on September 12, 2023 in Stockton.