From the Vine to Wine Production: Grape and Wine Producer Antimicrobial Resistance Curriculum

This project addressed a growing need for education and stewardship related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), antimicrobial stewardship (AMS), and antifungal resistance management in the grape and wine industry. Shifting disease pressures, and evolving pesticide regulations have increased concerns about maintaining the long-term efficacy of fungicides and antimicrobial tools in grape production systems. However, there has been limited producer-focused educational programming specifically addressing AMR and AMS in viticulture. To address this gap, this project developed and pilot-tested an educational curriculum for Iowa grape and wine producers through a collaboration among Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and Iowa grape and wine industry stakeholders. The curriculum emphasized disease management, FRAC, and sprayer technology principles designed to improve long-term vineyard resilience and fungicide efficacy.

 

The educational approach we ended up using was a need assessment that lead to two hands-on learning opportunities and four online products. The needs assessment was conducted with four participating Iowa grape growers and winery stakeholders to identify priority educational topics. Although one participating grower exited grape production during the project period, the remaining stakeholders identified hands-on activities, improved disease identification, and sprayer technology education as high-priority needs for the industry. These findings guided curriculum development and workshop planning.

 

We completed two educational workshops during the project period. The first workshop was hosted at a participating winery and included seven participants where we were able to get in depth with discussion of disease management and stewardship practices in a vineyard setting. The second workshop was delivered during the Iowa Grape and Wine Growers Conference and reached 20 participants from across Iowa and Nebraska. In addition to in-person programming, the project produced three bulletins and one newsletter article focused on disease identification, and sustainable fungicide practices. Collectively, these Extension materials received 861 views.

 

Research conducted through this project was primarily educational and needs-assessment based rather than hypothesis-driven experimental research. The conclusions from the project include: (1) Iowa grape and wine producers recognize antimicrobial and antifungal resistance as emerging concerns for the industry; (2) producers strongly prefer practical, hands-on educational programming focused on disease identification and sprayer technology; and (3) there remains a need for continued Extension programming related to stewardship and sustainable disease management practices in viticulture systems. The project additionally demonstrated that integrating AMR and AMS concepts into existing grower meetings and conferences can increase stakeholder engagement and awareness.

 

This project also strengthened communication between Extension personnel and grape producers regarding emerging disease management concerns and stewardship strategies. While widespread long-term adoption outcomes will require continued programming and follow-up education, this project established foundational educational materials and identified clear industry priorities that can guide future mivrobisal programming efforts in Iowa and the Midwest in general.

 

Despite some coordination challenges, including a mid-project co-PI transition, the project successfully delivered educational programming, generated Extension materials, and established a framework for continued stewardship education within the grape and wine industry.