Technology Transfer for the Burgeoning Midwest Grape Industry

Technology Transfer for the Burgeoning Midwest Grape Industry

Summary

Traditionally educated Extension professionals have been taught through this project to be better able to meet the needs of the rapidly developing Midwest grape and wine industry. Extension professionals who participated in this project have become more knowledgeable about viticulture, oenology and the grape industry, including relevant economic impacts and logistics of vineyard and winery start-up. Their comments indicate that they are becoming more effective as they strive to assist individual entrepreneurs pursuing establishment of vineyards and wineries. They also have accumulated valuable resource materials that will enhance their ability to serve this rapidly growing clientele. This means that these Extension professionals have made strides toward becoming a locally available resource for people wishing to learn more about the advantages and challenges facing them as they consider growing grapes and/or starting a winery. Details of legal and logistic challenges have been explored and assimilated. A bottom line result of this project is that a number of Extension professionals are in a position to provide better service to the emerging Midwest grape and wine industry.

Objectives/Performance Targets

1. To conduct regional in-service workshops to educate Extension professionals (Extension Educators, Extension Assistants) about the fundamental viticulture information required to respond to questions presented by the developing grape and wine industries in their assigned areas. Hands-on vineyard opportunities will assure that participants will gain familiarity with the characteristics of the grapevine.
2. Because poor site selection is one of the most common causes of vineyard failure, to involve Extension professionals in evaluating various site characteristics in order to better advise people wishing to establish commercial vineyards.
3. To provide Extension professionals with resources critical to their ongoing viticulture education (books, bulletins, websites, other electronic media).
4. To encourage Extension professionals to communicate effectively with the public about the economic impact of vineyards and wineries on the local economies, especially those in rural communities.
5. To involve Extension professionals in development of communication tools appropriate for ready use in their future viticulture educational programs.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Workshops attended by Extension professionals from several Midwest states (ND, SD, IA, MO, KS, NE) provided insights into the challenges and opportunities inherent in the establishment of vineyards, wineries and other grape-related industries (e.g., gourmet vinegars, other value-added products). History and background of the industry were presented to the participants and they were encouraged to seek additional knowledge by pursuing specific websites and other electronic communications related to the topics of viticulture and enology. Numerous subjects were covered including structure of the grapevine, trellis design and construction, site selection, pruning, disease and insect management, vineyard floor management, soils and nutrition of the grapevine, vertebrate pest management, canopy management and crop estimation. Appropriate methods for taking samples for tissue analysis and relating the test results to fertilization and nutrient management was an example of some of the specialized details provided to better equip the participants as advisors to potential grape growers and existing vineyard owners.

Participants in this project were invited to attend field days held in 2011 and these provided additional opportunities for Extension professionals to expand their knowledge on Crop Estimation and Canopy Management (July 30) and helped them gain a better understanding of challenges related to harvest (Machine Harvest Field Day, September 19). The proposed Advanced Viticulture and Enology Workshop had to be postponed – it was scheduled for early December, 2011 – but it was subsequently held on March 25 and 26, 2012. This workshop scheduled for late 2011 is therefore reported as part of the 2011 Annual Report. It was very well received, with several participants commenting favorably about the insights and experience shared by the consultant, Mr. Edward Swanson, who started the first Post-Prohibition vineyard and winery in Nebraska. His pioneering spirit and accomplishments were greatly appreciated by the participants.

Of special note was that the states of Kansas and North Dakota were represented at the March, 2012 workshop, Kansas because they had been absent from earlier workshops but were resuming participation in this multi-state venture, while North Dakota had five participants (four more than previously).

Additional new resource materials were provided to the participants, including Lisa Smiley’s Winegrape Cultivars CD, Tony Wolf’s “Wine Grape Production Guide for Growing Grapes in Eastern North America” and Bruce Zoecklin’s “Starting a Winery” series of CDs. These resources were not available when this project was in its beginning stages, but through the funds made available through this SARE grant will enhance these Extension professionals’ ability to better serve their grape growing and winery clientele.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Extension professionals who participated in the programs noted in this 2011 Annual Report have indicated that they consider themselves better equipped to respond to questions from their clientele regarding vineyard and winery start-ups, inquiries from current vineyard and winery owners and questions from the public at large regarding the growing importance of this value-added and potentially sustainable industry. They have been especially enthusiastic about the resource materials provided, indicating that they feel an increased level of confidence when trying to find answers to clientele questions. 100% of participants’ evaluations indicated that as a result of this program they were “more knowledgeable about the grape and wine industry in the Midwest” and that they are now “better able to assist clientele with grape and wine-related questions”.