Influencer Education: Grazing for Vineyards and Fire Prevention with Sheep
The American Lamb Board (ALB) works with food influencers, food media, journalists and chefs to educate beyond cooking and lamb cuts. The most recent installment of influencer education took place in Napa, California wine country.
Throughout the US and California, sheep are grazing for several reasons in diverse settings. The Napa retreat highlighted producers Robert and Jamie Irwin of Kaos Sheep Outfit. The Irwins graze their sheep in Northern California for fire prevention and vineyard grazing.
The Irwins are responsible for shifting and relocating 20,000 sheep based on seasonality and the vineyards' needs. In the early spring their sheep are busy at work, scattered throughout the valley, chipping away at the cover crops protecting the precious vineyard soil.
ALB's influencer group visited three wineries where Kaos sheep are contracted to graze. At each stop the attendees heard from sheep producers and vineyard managers about the impact sheep are having on-site while enjoying locally produced wines.
Attendees learned the important role sheep play in biodynamic farming to increase the quality of fruit produced while also providing a more sustainable farming option. At Beringer Winery, sheep also graze surrounding forest grounds to aid in the fight against wildfires.
“Educational programs for influencers help us grow a better understanding of our industry's commitment to sustainable production practices," said Peter Camino, ALB chairman. "We highlighted the benefits of sheep grazing and the importance of supporting American Lamb with a group who can share what they learned with their consumer followers."
The afternoon of learning and wine tasting included lunch at the Farmstead at Longmeadow Ranch. Guests were served a variety of American Lamb entrées including lamb sliders, house-made lamb merguez sausage, lamb neck gnocchi and lamb shoulder tostadas.
The American Lamb Board (ALB) is an industry-funded national research, promotion and information checkoff program that works on behalf of all American commercial and seedstock producers, feeders, direct marketers and processors to build awareness and demand for American Lamb. Funding is through mandatory assessments paid by all industry segments. The board is appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture and represents all industry sectors, geographic regions and sizes of production. The work of the ALB is overseen by USDA and supported by staff in Denver, Colorado.
ALB’s annual budget averages about $2.5 million. Almost two-thirds of funds are devoted to American Lamb promotion. By law, the Board’s expenditures for administration are limited to 10% or less of projected revenues. The board was established in 2002. More information is at LambResourceCenter.com.
