California’s wine country farmers go nearly nude
By MICHELLE LOCKE, Associated Press Writer
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 6:07 PM CDT
BERKELEY, Calif. — Winegrowers, ranchers and other members of Napa’s farming community are showing their green thumbs and quite a bit more in hopes of raising money to protect the valley’s rich agricultural resources.
Members of the Napa County Farm Bureau, all men, have stripped for a 2008 “Napa Uncovered” calendar that shows them strategically photographed in bucolic settings.
The farmers, who are following in the nearly nude footsteps of a number of similar fundraising calendars — including an effort by French winemakers a few years ago — are hoping to draw attention to the issue of dwindling farmlands as well as show a lighter side of the Napa scene.
Al Wagner, the vineyard manager for Clos Du Val, appears as Mr. July in a cowboy hat, boots and an apron.
“A couple of the guys had a few little misgivings,” Wagner said, “but after it was all done they kind of sat back and laughed about it.”
Those in the calendar come from ranching, vineyard management, and wineries.
The calendars, $18 or $36 with autographs, go on sale next month. Bureau officials ordered 2,000 copies for the initial printing and proceeds will go to agricultural preservation, said Sandy Elles, bureau executive director.
Elles applauded the calendar guys’ stand for the land.
“They were happy to bare it all and show their commitment to the future of agriculture here in Napa,” Elles said.
On the Net: http://www.napafarmbureau.org
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