Why Farmers Enroll
The Fish Friendly Farming program offers farmers access to expertise on such problems as erosion and soil loss, stream bank failure, and water quality degradation. Implementation of this advice by the farmer through the FFF program not only benefits the environment, but also represents a cost-effective and efficient management strategy for the farmer.
In addition, the FFF program serves as a means of implementing the requirements of several adopted TMDL (Total Maximum Daily Load) in the counties of Napa, Sonoma, and Mendocino, meaning that Fish Friendly Farming-certified sites are compliant with TMDL regulations. The TMDL's regulations are part of state and federal water quality laws and for these counties focus on reducing the amount of fine sediment entering creeks and rivers and on reducing stream water temperatures.
Here is what some grapegrowers are saying about the Fish Friendly Farming Program:
Keith Horn, Director of North Coast Vineyard Operations, Constellation Wines US:
"Fish Friendly Farming provides a third party certification that documents environmentally-friendly land practices that benefit the farmer and the environment alike and we are proud to among the first to be recognized for our part in this important effort."