ohn Garn is a specialist in whole system approaches to environmental protection
and sustainable development. His mantra is context. John has more than 20
years of experience working with both public and private organizations on
regulatory redesign, creating Green Business Programs, developing environmental
certification systems, improving agricultural sustainability and operational
efficiency, and building both internal and external engagement. John has more
than 15 years experience working with the wine industry. He is a lead author for
the Wine Institute and California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance statewide
Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP). Since the self-assessment program
began in 2002, John has helped to expand the program's reach, updating
The Code of Sustainable Winegrowing Practices, contributing to the 2004
and 2009 California Wine Community Sustainability Report, and developing
and leading the energy efficiency workshops throughout the state, reaching more
than 1,000 industry professionals. John was instrumental in the development of
the Napa Valley Vintners' Napa Green Winery program. The founder of Patagonia,
Yvon Chouinard, participated in the launch of the program and told a Wine
Business Monthly reporter, "I’ve been at this for 30 years and this is the best,
most well-thought-out program I’ve ever seen."
In addition to working with state and regional organizations, John has worked
with a long list of individual wineries, including Benziger Family Winery, Bogle,
Cakebread, Seghesio, and Sonoma Wine Company, to help assess and improve
resource use efficiency and implement more sustainable practices.
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