Spring Kick-Off Hybrid Meeting: Empowering Michigan Winegrape Growers

April 11, 2025 9:00AM - 5:30PM

Online or the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center, 6686 S Center Hwy, Traverse City, MI 49684

Contact: Tony Jacobson at tony@enocraft.com or Esmaeil Nasrollahiazar at nasroll2@msu.edu

Hosted by Parallel 45 Vines & Wines, in collaboration with MSU Extension, the Spring Kick-Off Hybrid Meeting offers both in-person and virtual attendance options, ensuring accessibility for all.

Event Highlights

Early Spring Frost Risk Management: Megan Rains from Lallemand Plant Care, Ontario, will share proactive strategies to mitigate frost risks, safeguarding your vineyard's productivity.
Innovative Pest Management Trials: Gain insights from Wilbur Ellis and Shady Lane Cellars on their recent trial results, exploring effective 'soft pesticide' programs tailored for the Great Lakes region.
Soil Health and Nutrient Dynamics: Barret Wessel of Michigan State University will delve into the complexities of soil pH, cation exchange capacity (C.E.C.), and their impact on grapevine nutrient uptake, providing practical guidance for soil management.
Early-Season Vineyard Practices: Maria Smith from Ohio State University will discuss strategies to enhance vineyard yield, fruit quality, and overall vine health through effective early-season management.
Acoustic Monitoring for Biodiversity: Sarah Grimes of Purdue University will present a flash talk on using acoustics to monitor the impacts of growing practices on bird habitat selection and biodiversity, offering a unique perspective on sustainable vineyard management.
Enhancing Soil Organic Matter: Explore how improving soil organic matter can boost microbial activity with insights from Alexa Kipper of Organic Matters, emphasizing the benefits of organic practices in viticulture.
New Wine Grape Varieties: Soon Li Teh from the University of Minnesota will introduce new cold-hardy wine grape varieties, discussing their potential and wine tasting profiles, expanding possibilities for Michigan vineyards.

Networking Opportunities

Lunch will be provided by Boardman Valley Hospitality Catering from 12:30-1:30pm.

The day will conclude with a Social Hour—an excellent chance to connect with fellow growers, share experiences, and sample a variety of wines. Attendees are encouraged to bring a bottle to share, fostering community and collaboration.

About the Hosts

Parallel 45 Vines & Wines is dedicated to representing, promoting, improving, and sustaining the Northwest Michigan vineyard and winery industry. Through education and research, they provide support in vineyard and winery establishment, operations, and marketing.

MSU Extension helps people improve their lives by bringing the vast knowledge resources of Michigan State University directly to individuals, communities, and businesses.

Don't miss this opportunity to enhance your knowledge, network with industry experts, and prepare for a successful 2025 growing season. We look forward to your participation in this pivotal event for Michigan's winegrape community.