Terms and Conditions of Membership

The Oregon organization Low Input Viticulture and Enology (LIVE) is a not for profit 501(c)3 organization. LIVE's mission is to "provide vineyards and wineries with official recognition for agricultural practices that are modeled after international standards of integrated production." In other words, LIVE's certification provides its members the label "Certified Sustainable." This label is highly sought by ever increasing environmentally conscious consumers, fine dining establishments around the world, and the huge expansion of the natural products industries.

In order to certify vineyards and wineries, LIVE educates members on sustainable practices and works with an independent inspection company. LIVE charges a minimal inspection fee that pays for this company to conduct inspections, thus enabling credible certification. Inspections (or site visits) are conducted for the member's first two years, or each year until certification is achieved. Once certification is received, the vineyard will be randomly drawn at a minimum of once every three years.

LIVE provides all training and forms necessary for successful program participation, as well as maintains international certification status, and LIVE members who pass their first inspection year become certified Salmon-Safe (see www.salmonsafe.org for more information).

As a grower participating in the LIVE program I agree with and understand the following conditions of certification:

• Participant acknowledges and accepts the rules and guidelines of the organization. I understand that I must comply with all required (red) Checklist items, and I must earn the minimum amount of points to qualify for certification by LIVE.
• Participation in the LIVE program is voluntary.
• Participant agrees to attend a mandatory introductory course and participate in regular training courses.
• Participant agrees to practice the guidelines of LIVE for a period of 2 passing years before certification is granted.
• Participant agrees to supply to LIVE a complete and true set of any required farm records on LIVE provided forms.
• Participant will refrain from the misuse of any certificates or labels provided by the LIVE organization.
• Participant agrees to allow authorized inspectors of the LIVE organization access to the farm and all pertinent infrastructures.
• Participant acknowledges that this application is for participation and does not guarantee certification. The awarding of certification is dependent upon successful completion of the program requirements (2 years prior, annually thereafter).
• Participant agrees to pay any dues or assessments required by the LIVE organization.

Inspection Program for LIVE

1. It is the intent of the LIVE organization to inspect each member on an annual basis until member is certified. After certification, inspections or site-visits are conducted on a random triennial basis, or following a year in which a 'PASS' determination was not earned.
2. Members will be visited by at least one member of an independent inspection body contracted by the LIVE organization. (The services of the inspection body will meet requirements as outlined by most current requirements of the IP guidelines)
3. Authorized inspectors of the LIVE organization will review the program with each member by means of the Checklist evaluation system.
4. All required farm records with verification of member confirming that records are true and complete are required. Records may be encoded to ensure privacy of the member.
5. All required soil and tissue tests will be available for evaluation.
6. Records of inspections will be kept for a period of no less than three years.
7. Any unsatisfactory rating by the inspection service will be discussed on-site with the participating member.
8. Members reserve the right to appeal any unsatisfactory rating to the LIVE auditing committee. Supporting evidence to the disagreement (especially perishable or sensitive evidence) shall be collected immediately and preserved for evaluation by the auditing committee.

Penalties for Violation of Contract or Rules

It is the intent of the LIVE organization to certify vineyards and wineries that have complied with the requirements of the integrated production program. The success of the program relies on strict adherence to the philosophy and rules of the program. Annual site inspections, review of required farm documents, and periodic sampling are the basis for assuring the public that members certified by LIVE have complied with all aspects of the program. In order to gain the public's trust, the following list of sanctions will be followed and will be applied for violations or failure of members to meet program requirements:

Immediate Loss of Membership and Withdrawal of Certification

• Willful misuse of certification labels and certificates
• Willful misstatements of any farm records
• Non-payment of inspection fees within 60 days of invoice date and/or dropping the program to avoid paying fees following inspection
• Any actions of fraud or violation of the mutual trust between the grower/producer and LIVE
• Repeated failure to adhere to the strict rules and prohibitions as stated in the LIVE program

Loss of Certification Status for the Current Growing Season

• A score of 'No' on any red item on the LIVE Checklist
• Failure to earn the required Checklist score for certification
• Failure to attend any required introductory or ongoing educational courses
• Any other violations of the contract between LIVE and the member