Dec 15, 2015

Michigan vineyard establishment conference scheduled

The Michigan winery industry, valued at $286 million in 2005, with 45 wineries, has grown to nearly 120 wineries today. While the state’s wine grape acreage increased from 1,500 in 2003 to 2,850 in 2014 , the Michigan Grape & Wine Industry Council looks for it to reach 10,000 acres by 2024.

Many existing fruit growers and new farmers looking to enter Michigan’s wine industry want more grape-growing knowledge.

A wine grape establishment conference will be held by Michigan State University Extension Feb. 5 at two locations, using a webinar hybrid format to address this interest. 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 Benton Harbor and Traverse City.

The detailed agenda and registration information may be found at http://events.anr.msu.edu/2016winegrapeestablishment/.

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 Jan. 28.