There are currently around 3,000 acres of wine grapes growing in Michigan. If the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council has its way that number will more than triple to reach 10,000 acres in the next half dozen years up to 2024. If you’d like to play a role in that growth, there’s a meeting you will want to be sure to attend.
The amazing winery industry has an economic impact north of $5.4-billion in Michigan with more than 130 wineries established and growing the industry. One of the key industry sessions this winter is less than a month away and currently taking registrations from interested parties for the Michigan 2018 Wine Grape Vineyard Establishment Conference on February 9th.
There is little doubt that many existing fruit growers and new entrants to agriculture regard Michigan’s wine industry as a growth business, and the upcoming conference being held jointly in both Benton Harbor and at Traverse City will be conducted by the team at the Michigan State University Extension program.
The wine grape establishment conference will utilize a webinar hybrid format due to the dual location plan.
MSU’s Joanne Davidhizar says the program agenda calls for speakers from four states to address basic topics such as soil fertility, site selection, varieties, establishment costs, site preparation, planting and care, trellis construction, and pest management in both Benton Harbor and Traverse City. The detailed agenda and registration information may be found by clicking the link below:
https://events.anr.msu.edu/winegrapevineyardestblishment2018/
Ninety per cent of those participating in the 2016 Wine Grape Vineyard Establishment Conference said that they would recommend it to others. In fact, more than 80-percent of the participants indicated that the conference helped them with educational resources, grape training, site selection, and pest management.
The registration fee is $100 for the basic conference and $30 for the optional bulletin package. Space is limited, so pre-registration and payment is required by February 2, 2018.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Accommodations for persons with disabilities may be requested by calling Joanne Davidhizar at 269-927-5674 by January 29 to ensure sufficient time to make arrangements. Requests after that date will be met when possible.
