[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 67 (Thursday, April 17, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E323]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         HONORING GUSTAVO AVINA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MIKE THOMPSON

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 17, 2025

  Mr. THOMPSON of California. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor 
Gustavo Avina, whom I have named the California 4th District's 2025 
Climate Crisis Champion of the Year for Napa County because of his 
tireless dedication to sustainable viticulture and environmental 
stewardship.
  Mr. Avina was born in Michoacan, Mexico, and immigrated to the United 
States with his wife, Blanca, in 1988. They settled in our Napa Valley, 
where they raised their two children, Gustavo Jr. and Jessica. Mr. 
Avina began working with some of the finest vineyard management 
programs in the region before joining Pine Ridge Vineyards in 2003. His 
deep connection to the land and commitment to sustainability led to his 
promotion to Viticulture Director for the vineyard in 2019.
  With over 30 years of experience, Mr. Avina has helped shape Pine 
Ridge Vineyards into a leader in sustainable viticulture. He walks 
every vineyard block weekly, cultivating grapes with care, precision, 
and a firm belief in environmental responsibility. Under his 
leadership, Pine Ridge Vineyards has implemented industry-leading 
sustainability efforts, transitioning to dry farming, achieving Napa 
Green Vineyard certification, applying compost and practicing proactive 
forest management and committing to carbon neutrality.
  Mr. Avina has also been a mentor to others on climate-smart 
agriculture. He leads Pine Ridge's dry farming pilot program and has 
made the commitment to eventually transition all the vineyard's 
replants to dry farming. Mr. Avina presented on these efforts at the 
2024 Napa Green ``Future of Water'' summit and will present at the 2025 
Regeneration, Innovation, Sustainability, Empowerment (RISE) Climate 
and Wine Symposium, establishing himself as a trusted voice in 
sustainable viticulture in our wine community.
  Beyond his work in the vineyard. Mr. Avina is committed to educating 
and mentoring individuals in our agriculture community. As a member of 
the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation's Education Committee and as a 
mentor in the organization's Fields of Opportunity program, Mr. Avina 
has helped provide educational and professional development 
opportunities to over 3,000 farmworkers annually. He has developed and 
led classes, seminars, and field days with the organization, covering 
topics from irrigation and vineyard management to climate science and 
innovation. Mr. Avina also helped launch the Napa Valley Farmworker 
Foundation's Climate Science Seminar Series, equipping farmworkers with 
tools to adapt to extreme weather and build resilience in the face of 
climate change.
  Additionally. Mr. Avina has served as a pruning contest judge for the 
Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation's STOMP fundraiser and previously 
served as secretary of the English Learners Advisory Committee for the 
St. Helena School District. When he is not in the vineyard or the 
classroom, Mr. Avina enjoys cheering on Gustavo Jr. at his college 
soccer games and celebrating the achievements of Jessica, a nurse 
practitioner and soon-to-be mother.
  Mr. Speaker. Gustavo Avina's leadership in sustainable farming and 
dedication to Napa Valley's farmworker community set a powerful 
example. His leadership in carbon neutrality efforts, dry farming 
mentorship and farmworker education exemplifies the positive impact an 
individual can have on their industry and community. Therefore, it is 
fitting that we honor him here today as Napa County's 2025 Climate 
Crisis Champion of the Year.

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