AMES, Iowa – The Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University will host the 2021 Wine Grape Field Day on Wednesday, Aug. 11, at Iowa State’s Horticulture Research Station near Ames.
The event will feature research and demonstrations from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on grapevine management, including trellis systems, canopy management, pest and disease management and evaluation of grape maturity.
This field day is offered to commercial grape growers and winemakers, extension personnel and nonprofit organizations. Hands-on activities related to basic chemistry analysis for grape maturity evaluation will also be featured.
“Participants will learn about how to scout for insects and diseases in a vineyard and the tools to manage them, as well as vineyard practices management,” said Aude Watrelot, assistant professor of enology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State. “Participants will also be able to learn how to evaluate grape maturity and the appropriate harvest time with hands-on activities related to grape basic chemical analysis including: pH, TA, degree Brix and phenolic compounds.”
The field day involves the participation of faculty, staff and extension specialists of the Horticulture and Food Science and Human Nutrition departments, the Horticulture Research Station and the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute.
Speakers from Iowa State will include:
- Aude Watrelot, assistant professor of enology in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition
- Donald Lewis, professor and extension entomologist
- Laura Iles, director of the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic
- Lina Rodriguez-Salamanca, plant pathology diagnostician with the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic
- Gail Nonnecke, global professor with Global Resource systems
- Brandon Carpenter and Nick Howell, Horticulture Research Station staff
Technical support will be provided by Jennie Savits and Maureen Moroney from the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute.
The Horticulture Research Station is located at 55519 170th St. in Ames. The field day will run from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event is limited to 20 participants to keep the day interactive and engaging. Lunch will be provided and is free.
Registration is also free, but required at this link: https://iastate.webex.com/iastate/onstage/g.phpMTID=eb930ef20fa208fbdac7eac9ca084ab9c
For more information, Watrelot can be reached at 515-294-0343 or [email protected].
