Helping A Renowned Wine Region Grow Greener

News from EarthShare member American Farmland Trust - Wine and juice grape growers in Washington's Yakima Valley region must deal with the threat from insects that cutworms that eat and destroy budding grapes in early spring. Thanks in part to an integrated pest management grant from the Environmental Protection Agency and American Farmland Trust, entomologist Doug Walsh from Washington State University hit upon a more environmentally friendly solution for addressing the threat-one that is saving growers about $5.5 million a year and has reduced insecticide use by 84 percent. "It is a total success story," says Hogue Ranches viticulturist Rick Hamman. Unfortunately, critical funding is in jeopardy for this program and others across the country that help farmers reduce their pesticide use. Take action now to keep these environmentally beneficial programs going

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