1. “Working with Grape Growers in the Lake Erie Watershed”
Erie County Conservation District

2. Application for Growing Greener Funds
● Awarded in 2016
● $364,000
● Through December 2019
● For Erie County PA grape growing operations
● 15% in-kind match for landowners
** Perform Outreach and Education to growers
● Site Visits
● Measures to improve water quality
● VinES Self-Assessment
** Reduce Agricultural Non-Point Pollution
● Installation of Best Management Practices

3. Administration of the Grant
Introduction of the VinES Workbook and Grant to growers
● Presenting to local farming organizations
- Erie County Horticultural Society
- Erie County Farm Bureau
● Working with our partners
- Lake Erie Region Grape Research and Extension Program
● Educational Workshops for growers at the Conservation District
- Methods to improve water quality in the Lake Erie Watershed

4. Coffee Pot Meetings
PSU and Cornell Extension Events
In the field

5. Administration of the Grant
Assistance in completing the VinES Self-Assessment Workbook
● Eligibility for funding requirement
● Group workshop trainings and
one-on-one sessions

6. Administration of the Grant
Evaluation and Ranking of potential sites
● Assessment by ECCD and partners
- Type of project
- Potential for water quality improvements

7. Administration of the Grant
Technical Assistance in installation of BMP’s
Farm Access Road Stabilization
Cover Crop Program

8. Administration of the Grant
Conservation Plans
● Encourage growers to:
- Revise current Conservation Plan
- Start a new Plan

9. Possibilities for the Future
● VinES 2 - Another round of BMP’s in the region ● Measurement of water quality in this Ag Sector ● Benefits for the growers - Increased awareness and knowledge of water quality issues - Realizing potential economic benefits from the self-assessment - Possibility of having an increase in crop quality

10. Thanks to our Partners…

11. Thank You
Erie County Conservation District Tom McClure District Manager Bethany Fritz Ag Specialist