Midwest Wine Press

3-Day School For New Grape Growers

by · February 9, 2015

The University of Wisconsin Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS), Wisconsin Grape Growers Association, the IPM Institute of North America and VESTA, the Viticulture Enology Science and Technology Alliance, are organizing a three-day intensive school for beginning grape growers in the Midwest.

Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, March 29-31, 2015. 
You bring your interest and hopes for your own vineyard business. We expose you to what you need to know and plan for as you plant grapes and grow.  This intensive, three-day course gives you a realistic picture of what it takes to start and operate a successful vineyard business–including capital, management, labor and other resources. Topics covered include market assessment and profitability, site selection and soil preparation, variety selection, pest management, economics, equipment and labor needs.

What do we offer?

  • A unique program that combines knowledge from experienced growers and regional experts.
  • Learn essential concepts in vineyard management and what it takes to succeed in the business.
  • Spend extended time with experienced growers and gather invaluable tips and practical know-how.
  • Network and learn from fellow growers and entrepreneurs.

Program highlights
This class affords the opportunity to immerse yourself into the realities of grape growing with a team of instructors who share your enthusiasm. We do more than scratch the surface on topics such as variety selection and pest management; rather, we take a deeper dive to expose you to the information and tools required to launch a successful vineyard business. Our goal is to start you on a path toward a sustainable and profitable business. Over the three days we will discuss the joys and challenges of operating a farm business in addition to growing grapes in the Midwest.

Is this workshop right for you?
This course is intended for people who are serious about starting an orchard business in the Midwest. To learn more about this school, contact John Hendrickson at the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems, UW-Madison, (608) 265-3704 or jhendric@wisc.edu.

For more information and application materials contact:

John Hendrickson
Phone: (608) 265-3704
E-mail: jhendric@wisc.edu

 

Mark Ganchiff

Mark Ganchiff is the publisher of Midwest Wine Press, the leading source of news on the growing wine industry in the central United States. Mark has been a wine judge at the 2012 and 2014 INDY International Wine Competition, the 2014 Cold Climate Wine Competition, the 2013 Mid-American Wine Competition, the 2012 Illinois State Fair Wine Competition and the 2013 Michigan Wine Competition. He also enjoys speaking at wine events including the Cold Climate Wine Conference, the Illinois Grape Growers and Vintners Association Annual Meeting, the Midwest Grape and Wine Conference and the Wisconsin Fruit and Vegetable Conference. Mark's articles about regional wine have appeared in Vineyard & Winery Management, WineMaker and several regional magazines. Mark is a Level One Sommelier in the Court of Master Sommeliers. He lives in Louisville, but also has a residence in Chicago.

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1 Response

  1. Patrick says:
    February 10, 2015 at 7:38 am

    Mark – Where is “the attached flyer”??

    – Patrick