Agro-Ecology
Northwest offers certification inspections. AENW are qualified, independent, and
credible consultants who evaluate the extent to which a candidate farm's management
practices impact water quality and stream ecosystem health. We are a sustainable
agriculture consulting group specializing in farm planning, assessment, and research.
SALMON SAFE CERTIFICATION
Launched
in 1995, Salmon-Safe works to restore water quality and Salmon habitat in Pacific
Northwest salmon watersheds, Salmon-Safe does this by evaluating farm operations
that are endorsed by our independent professional certifiers and promoted by the
Salmon-Safe label.
Salmon-Safe
farms gain competitive advantage in the marketplace through our public education
efforts and the marketing efforts of our participating farmers. In 1999, Salmon-Safe
completed a two-year retail marketing promotion for Salmon-Safe farmers in more
than 300 natural food stores and supermarkets, including Fred Meyer stores throughout
the western United States.
The farm certification program is focused on
management practices and the degree to which a farm's operations are compatible
with best management practices for avoiding harm to streams and salmon populations.
Management practices are addressed in five primary areas:
- riparian
areas management
- water
use management
- ersoion
and sediment control
- chemical
use management
- animal
management
LIVE
CERTIFICATION
Low
Input Viticulture & Enology, Inc. program (LIVE, Inc.) is a program providing
vineyards and wineries official recognition for sustainable agricultural practices
that are modeled after international standards. These standards are highly regarded
by winemakers and consumers worldwide. They provide assurance of fruit quality
and practices used to achieve this quality.
The
certification program provides growers with a list of vineyard practices that
are either prohibited or required; in addition the program requires that growers
institute a number of ecological options. A point system for ecological options
was developed and growers are required to obtain at least one half of the points
to become certified.
Program Objectives
1.
To see the vineyard as a whole system.
2.
To create and maintain viticulture that is economically viable over time.
3.
To maintain the highest level of quality in our fruit production. Integrated production
should not require any compromise of our quality standards
4.
To implement cultural practices and to solve problems in such a way that we minimize
the use of off farm inputs, such as agricultural chemicals and fertilizers, with
the goal of protecting the farmer, the environment, and society at large.
5.
To encourage farming practices which promote and maintain high biological diversity
in the whole vineyard.
6.
To encourage responsible stewardship of soil health, fertility, and stability.