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Welcome to the March "Ag Month" edition of the District 3 newsletter! In this edition, you’ll find information about the County's Baseline Data Report, Ag Day hosted by the Farm Bureau and the Ag Commissioner's office, some takeaways from my recent Washington, D.C. visit, two community events in Angwin and Calistoga, and more.
As always, thank you for reading, and please reach out to me (anne.cottrell@countyofnapa.org) or my District Aide Leah (leah.doyle-stevens@countyofnapa.org) with any County-related questions or concerns.
Warmly,
Anne
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Welcome & Congrats to Chief Greenberg
We are thrilled to welcome Chief Greenberg as the new Deputy Fire Chief for Napa County! With a distinguished career in fire service and a deep commitment to community safety, Chief Greenberg (a Napa native) brings a wealth of experience and leadership to our region.
Please join me in congratulating Chief Greenberg and wishing him success in his new position.
| Napa County is celebrating Agriculture Month this March, recognizing the vital role that farming, vineyards, and ranching play in our community. Agriculture is the heart of our region, supporting local businesses, preserving open spaces, and producing world-renowned wines and fresh produce. Be sure to support local growers, visit a farmers' market, or learn more about sustainable farming practices. | |
Napa County Baseline Data Report Update
Napa County is updating its Baseline Data Report (BDR), a key document first developed in 2005 to guide data-driven planning. The BDR provides an assessment of the County’s environmental, economic, and social conditions, serving as the foundation for the upcoming General Plan Update (GPU) and Environmental Impact Report (EIR).
Why Update the BDR?
✔ Reflects changes in demographics, economy, and environment, including climate change and wildfire risks
✔ Aligns with updated local, state, and federal regulations
✔ Integrates new technology, including GIS mapping and online tools
Project Timeline
📌 February 2025 – Official update launch with data collection & stakeholder engagement
📌 Throughout the year – public workshops and community education about the data gathered
📌 Spring 2026 – BDR completion & integration into the General Plan Update
Public workshops and online engagement opportunities will begin this spring.
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Advocacy in Washington D.C.
I'm back recently from a busy week in Washington DC, connecting with other County electeds from CA and around the country on topics like agriculture, immigration, and insurance. Our 2-person Napa County team had 10 different meetings with Senate staff and staffers from Senate Agriculture and Senate Banking Committees.
We told them about our large grant from FEMA to do wildfire mitigation projects in Napa County, and advocated that federal dollars keep flowing for this important work.
We also thanked the Agriculture team for the Farm Bill's support of research into the impacts of wildfire smoke on grape crops and asked for that support to continue.
Last, and most important, we asked for support on improving options for property insurance, explaining how challenging and expensive it is for county residents to get insurance, even when we are doing so much to reduce our wildfire risk. They were good conversations and we have follow-up work to do!
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I am looking forward to joining the Angwin Fire Safe Council for a Spring Safety and Preparedness Community Meeting and Resource Fair geared toward the communities of Deer Park, Angwin, Pope Valley and Berryessa.
I hope to see you then!
Thurs., Mar. 20, 2025
6:00-8:00pm
PUC Fireside Room
10 Angwin Ave., Angwin
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Napa County Ag Day
Join the Napa County Farm Bureau Foundation and the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for a free event celebrating local agriculture alongside Napa’s agricultural leaders. Learn more here.
Mar. 20, 2025
Napa Valley Expo
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Yountville Gnome Hunt
Mar. 10-21, 2025
Washington St., Yountville
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Coffee & Conversation in Calistoga
Please join Calistoga Vice Mayor Irais Lopez-Ortega and me for coffee and conversation on March 29. This will be an opportunity to ask questions, and share concerns you may have regarding any City or County-related issue. Also, it's a great opportunity for us to meet you!
Sat., Mar. 29, 2025
9:30am-11:00am
Calistoga Rostery
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Weights and Measures Week
The first week of March is recognized annually as Weights and Measures Week. Here at Napa County, our Weights and Measures Team conducts inspections across the county throughout the year to ensure that consumers get what they pay for, and sellers get fair payment for their goods and services. Watch the video to learn more about what Napa County's Weights and Measures Team does and how many inspections they did this past year. Learn more here.
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Premere Napa Valley
It was great to attend Premiere Napa Valley, a Napa Valley Vintners event that brings together local vintners and trade partners in collective support of our local wine industry.
And, there was a lot of collaboration in the lots this year, including these vintners from the Diamond Mountain area! This group works together not just on wine also on fire prevention and forest health.
Cheers to Napa Valley Vintners and all the wineries and trade who participated - your efforts help keep our local wine community sustainable and resilient.
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Pope Street Housing Project
I was happy to attend the recent groundbreaking of the Pope Street Workforce Housing Project in St. Helena! Congrats and thank you to Our Town St. Helena and Napa Valley Community Housing, the City of St. Helena, and all the donors and lenders who made this project happen. It's a win both for local workers, and for our community.
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Vine Trail Ambassador
The Napa Valley Vine Trail is looking for volunteers to help maintain and expand the scenic trail that stretches through the heart of Napa County. Whether you enjoy working outdoors, helping at events, or supporting trail expansion efforts, there are plenty of ways to get involved!
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Trail Maintenance: Help with cleanups, planting, and upkeep to ensure the trail remains accessible and beautiful.
- Event Support: Assist at community events, races, and fundraisers that support the Vine Trail.
- Ambassador Program: Become a trail ambassador and help spread awareness about the Vine Trail and its benefits to the community.
Volunteering is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, meet new people, and contribute to preserving Napa County’s natural beauty.
Learn more and get involved here.
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Napa County Strengthens Wildfire Resiliency
Napa County remains committed to wildfire preparedness, continuously investing in strategies to protect lives, property, and natural resources. While the 2025 Fire Hazard Severity Zone (FHSZ) Maps identify long-term risks, the County is actively implementing significant mitigation efforts to reduce wildfire danger.
Key Wildfire Resiliency Initiatives:
✅ Enhanced Fire Suppression: Napa County’s partnership with CAL FIRE ensures a minimum of three firefighters per engine, with over 150 volunteer firefighters supporting emergency response. Six CAL FIRE engines and a bulldozer are staffed for operations and fuel reduction.
✅ Advancing Fire Resiliency: Collaborations with Napa Firewise and 22 Fire Safe Councils strengthen preparedness. The County is implementing Ember-Resistant Zones (Zone 0) and ignition-resistant construction in high-risk areas.
✅ Major Investments in Prevention: Since 2020, over 12,000 defensible space inspections have been completed. The County’s Chipping Program has processed 289,000+ cubic yards of vegetation since 2001. In 2024, Napa secured $60.7 million in FEMA grants for future wildfire mitigation projects.
These ongoing efforts highlight Napa County’s commitment to reducing wildfire risk and enhancing community resilience.
For more information, visit Napa County Fire Department.
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Help Shape the Future of Transportation in Napa County!
The Napa Valley Transportation Authority (NVTA) is conducting the Travel Behavior Study to explore new ways to improve transportation options in Napa County. This study focuses on ridesharing, public transit, and other travel solutions to make getting around easier and more sustainable for residents.
NVTA is seeking community input to better understand travel needs and preferences. Residents can participate by sharing feedback through surveys and focus groups, helping shape the future of transportation in Napa.
Get involved today! Learn more and take the survey at NVTA’s website.
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SNAPSHOT ON COUNTY SERVICES | |
In this Ag Month, I am happy to spotlight the Napa County UC Cooperative Extension.
The Napa County UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) is a vital resource dedicated to supporting local agriculture, natural resources, and community education. As part of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources (UC ANR), UCCE provides research-based expertise in sustainable farming, wildfire resilience, water conservation, nutrition, and youth development.
Through programs like Master Gardeners, 4-H Youth Development, and Integrated Pest Management, Napa County UCCE helps farmers, educators, and residents make informed decisions that benefit the community and environment.
The department is led by UC Cooperative Extension advisors and specialists, who collaborate with local agencies, nonprofits, and researchers to address Napa County’s unique challenges and opportunities.
By bridging scientific research with real-world applications, UCCE plays a crucial role in sustaining Napa’s agricultural legacy and improving community well-being.
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Ways to Connect and Find Information | | | | |
