February 06, 2003
Winery and Grape Experts, Growers Meet in Kearney
LINCOLN, Neb. — Winery and grape experts from coast to coast will give novice and experienced grape growers valuable information to improve their operations at the sixth annual Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Forum Feb. 28-March 1 at the Kearney Ramada Inn.
The two-day University of Nebraska viticulture program forum will begin at 11:30 a.m. Feb. 28 with a trade show featuring winery and vineyard equipment suppliers, industry association representatives and marketing experts, said Paul Read, NU viticulturist.
At 1:30 p.m., grape growers can attend presentations by the forum's featured speakers. Speakers and topics are: G. Stanley Howell, a grape specialist from Michigan State University, discussing "Environmental Limits to Sustainable Grape Production;" Bruce Reisch, a geneticist and grape breeder from Cornell University presenting "Breeding for the Perfect Grape;" Karen Ross, president of the California Grape Growers Association, presenting "California, Nebraska and the World;" and Paul DiGrazia of Brookfield, Conn., physician, vineyard owner and winemaker, discussing "Wine and Your Health."
The day will conclude with the Nebraska winemakers reception, which will feature the state's finest wines, a banquet matching foods to Nebraska's wines and Howell as featured speaker, Read said.
March 1 will begin with three concurrent sessions: viticulture basics, advanced viticulture, and wines and wine making. Technical sessions will follow with trade show vendor presentations. Topics include: getting started in grape growing, site selection and preparation, propagation, pruning, trellising and grape wildlife problems.
"An interesting part of one of the concurrent sessions will be DiGrazia's discussion of wine, women and menopause and breaking news in the medical world," Read said.
Cost is $60 for Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association members and $75 for non-members by Feb. 20. Late registrations are subject to an additional fee. Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association members also can attend a business meeting at 10 a.m. Feb. 28.
For more information or to register, contact Read at (402)472-5136, Donna Michel at (402)472-8747 or visit University of Nebraska Viticulture Program.
The event is sponsored by the NU viticulture program, Cooperative Extension in NU's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association.
2/6/03-AF
Paul Read - Ph.D.
Agronomy & Horticulture
Professor
(402) 472-5136
Sandi Alswager Karstens IANR News and Photography (402) 472-3030
Department: Agronomy & Horticulture
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