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MEDIA ADVISORY
April 2007
Afghanistan Ambassador to the U.S. Honors Roots of Peace at Copia in Napa Valley
NAPA–Afghan Ambassador to the United States, Said T. Jawad, will take part in a symbolic grapevine planting ceremony on the grounds of Copia on April 16, 2007 at 11:00 am, in an event hosted by Copia and San Rafael based Roots of Peace. It’s to honor the role of Californians supporting Roots of Peace’s efforts to remove landmines in Afghanistan farmlands and restoring their vineyards. The bay area has a significant interest for Ambassador Jawad because the city of Fremont is home to the largest population of Afghans in the country.
Roots of Peace, in partnership with UC Davis and USAID and major Napa Valley vintners, has removed more than 100,000 landmines and unexploded ordinance from farmland in Afghanistan and trained over 10,000 farmers to grow grapes and raisins, alternative agricultural crops to poppies.
“Throughout Afghanistan’s tragic past, some thought that the solution to the problems in our country was to put guns in the hands of Afghan children, or to convince Afghan farmers to abandon their vineyards and orchards and fight. Today, organizations like Roots of Peace are helping to right these wrongs,” says Ambassador Jawad. “They are giving the children seeds instead of guns, and teaching them how to plant instead of how to fight. They are telling the farmers to go back to their long-neglected vineyards, to once again feel the soil in their hands, to replant and rebuild. These farmers are not only putting down the roots of their crops, they are reconnecting with their own roots in the land, roots that were long ago severed. I would like to thank Heidi and Roots of Peace for helping my people replant and rebuild, for showing them the way to grow new roots into the soil of our beautiful country.”
The grape vine to be planted by Ambassador Jawad is a green fruited table grape variety called, Vitis vinifera or ‘Lal Sorkh.’ This grapevine is a direct descendent from the collection of Afghan root stalk that acclaimed viticulturist, the late UC Davis professor and grape geneticist, Harold Olmo brought back and studied from Afghanistan in 1948.
“This grapevine is a wonderful symbol of the shared heritage between farmers from our two countries. It will serve as a permanent reminder for all visitors to Copia of the seeds we have in common and the hope that peace may be planted from Napa Valley to Afghanistan,” says Heidi Kuhn, Founder & CEO of Roots of Peace.
A short film, funded by The Skoll Foundation, will be shown following the planting ceremony featuring the October 2006 visit to the Shomali Plains by Mrs. Shamim Jawad, wife of the Ambassador, and Mrs. Heidi Kuhn—following the footsteps of an Afghan and American mother who are removing landmines and establishing vineyards, schools and soccer fields. Audiences interested in foreign affairs, women’s issues, health, children and humanitarian efforts will find inspiration in the emotional human element and grand political implications of the Roots of Peace story.
Copia and UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, International Programs will co-host a private luncheon for the special guests attending the ceremony at Julia’s Kitchen following the showing of the film.
“We are very honored to host this esteemed group of dignitaries,” says Arthur Jacobus, Copia’s President. “Their message and efforts for peace serve to inspire the world.”
Who: Said T. Jawad, Afghan Ambassador to the United States; Shamim Jawad, Founder of AYENDA: The Afghan Children’s Initiative; Heidi Kuhn, Founder and CEO of Roots of Peace; Arthur Jacobus, President, Copia; James E. Hill, Assoc. Dean, Int’l Programs, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis
Special guests: Margrit Mondavi, Diane Baker, Tor Kenward, and Jeanne Marie Olmo
When: Monday, April 16, 2007, 11:00 am
Where: Copia’s Gardens, 500 First Street, Napa, CA
This is a private event but we encourage media to attend. Please contact Kathleen Iudice for event information.
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About Copia
Copia is a non-profit discovery center whose mission is to explore, celebrate and share the many pleasures and benefits of wine, its relationship to food and its significance to our culture. Located in the heart of Napa Valley, Copia is the premier Wine Country destination – offering visitors exceptional wine experiences in education, discovery and appreciation; plus outstanding food programs, organic edible gardens, fine and casual dining, exhibitions, performing/visual arts, shopping and more! Proceeds from ticket sales, membership and donations support Copia’s educational programs and exhibitions.
Copia is located at 500 First Street in downtown Napa. Hours are Wednesday through Monday 10am - 5pm (closed Tuesday). General Admission is $5.00 for adults, $4.00 for seniors and students, and free for children 12 years and younger (accompanied by an adult). Wednesdays are half price for Napa and Sonoma residents. Memberships are available. For additional information, please call 707.259.1600, or visit the website at www.copia.org.
About Roots of Peace
Roots of Peace, a San Rafael based non-profit organization, was founded in September 1997 with a clear mission to rid the world of landmines by transforming toxic minefields into thriving farmlands. In honor of the legacy of Diana, Princess of Wales, Roots of Peace offers a simple toast that “the world may go from mines to vines” and works to implement a comprehensive and lasting solution that not only removes the mines but restores the land and livelihood of the local community through sustainable agriculture solutions. For additional information, please call 415.455.8008 or visit the website at www.rootsofpeace.org.
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