Agricultural News
OSU Now Accepting Enrollment for 2012 Grape Management Course
Fri, 16 Dec 2011 14:09:34 CST
Oklahoma has long been known as a producer of wheat and other grain crops. However, over the past several years, more and more land is being dedicated to growing grapes.
In an effort to familiarize current and potential grape growers with vital information of what it takes to be a successful grape producer, Oklahoma State University will be offering a grape management course, said Becky Carroll, OSU Cooperative Extension fruit and nut crop assistant specialist.
The course will meet once per month beginning Feb. 23, 2012 through Sept. 15, 2012, at the Cimarron Valley Research Station near Perkins. Each class will meet from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The class does not meet in March.
Registration is $250 per person and the course is limited to 70 participants. Preregistration is required and is due by Feb. 10. Registration information can be found online by clicking here. Click on the Horticulture/Landscape store, and then select "Short Courses and Schools." Click on "2012 Oklahoma Grape Management." For additional information, please contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404, or e-mail her at stephanie.larimer@okstate.edu.
"The Oklahoma Grape Management course continues to be successful because the interest in growing grapes has increased every year since we began the program," Carroll said. "While the impact is small compared to other crops grown in the state, the grape industry has a significant impact on the state's economy."
The course is designed to cover all aspects of the grape growing industry. This class is geared toward those who have just established their vineyard, as well as those who are still in the planning stage or simply want more information.
"This course definitely has something for everyone, from those who have been growing grapes for a while, to those who are just getting started," she said.
The course is designed so that participants will experience both the classroom learning environment in addition to hands-on experiences during each class. The hands-on lessons will take place in the demonstration vineyard at the Cimarron Valley Research Station.
Carroll said each class will cover a variety of topics such as vineyard establishment, pruning and training, site selection, soils/water, insect and disease management, weed control, economics, fertilization, propagation, rootstocks, canopy management, harvest preparation and petiole sampling.
"We'll also be covering important topics such as budgeting, risks and the commitment required to establish a prosperous business," she said.
Each meeting correlates time wise with what is actually happening in grape production. For example, the first meeting will encompass information about the dormant vine stage, which is what happens in February.
There are a number of industry professionals, as well as OSU experts, who will be on hand during each of the classes to share their expertise and research-based information.
"Because of the growth in the grape industry in Oklahoma, we believe the industry will continue to have a significant impact on the state's economy, as well as provide those who are interested with another agricultural outlet," Carroll said.
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