Agro-Tourism Seeds Planted

Agro-Tourism Seeds Planted
By Danny Bernardini/Staff Writer
TheReporter.Com

Boosting the agriculture, agro-tourism and the wine industry of the Suisun Valley will be discussed Tuesday by the Solano County Board of Supervisors.

They will consider a report in this regard created by the American Farmland Trust and may apply it to considerations in the update of the county's General Plan.

Board members have indicated in prior meetings that they favor addressing these agricultural issues.

In addition to building up marketing, tourism and the wine industry, the report suggests the slogan "Try Suisun" as a device to attract visitors to the area.

"Suisun Valley is a unique farming region that supports profitable family farms and quality of life for its residents. It is a destination for tourists seeking world class wine, identifiable Suisun Valley farm products and a beautiful agriculture landscape with no fallow land," states a visioning statement included in the report.

Among the report's findings, winemaking was singled out as an opportunity for the farmers in the valley to be successful. Included in suggestions are creating a communal crush and barrel storage facility for wine growers.

It also recommends changing regulations and zoning to allow growers to be more successful by adhering to the same rules as neighboring counties such as Napa.

The Solano County Board of Supervisors will meet today at 8:30 a.m. in the board chamber, 675 Texas St. in Fairfield.

Danny Bernardini can be reached at county@thereporter.com.