UACES Facebook Grape growers gather Nov. 4 for state conference
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Grape growers gather Nov. 4 for state conference

By Fred Miller
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Oct. 31, 2016

Fast Facts:

  • Grape growers will hold annual meeting Nov. 4 in Ozark
  • Speakers from the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture and industry are on the agenda
  • Awards banquet and speaker cap the conference activities 

(347 words) 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The Arkansas Association of Grape Growers will hold its annual conference and trade show Nov. 4 at the Arkansas Tech University-Ozark campus.

The one-day conference will be capped by a wine reception and banquet at the Fraternal Order of Eagles in Altus, at 5:30.

“This event will be an opportunity to keep abreast of current trends and to network with other individuals in the grape and wine industry,” said Renee Threlfall, association past chair and a research scientist at the Institute of Food Science and Engineering of the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture.

Threlfall said the association is a non-profit agricultural organization that educates growers, assists with research and promotes viticulture in Arkansas.

“The association promotes research for developing varieties, pre-harvest and postharvest production, marketing, disease control and other aspects of grape growing,” Threlfall said. “We also assist farmers with resources to improve their production and marketing techniques.”

Registration for the conference begins at 8 a.m., followed by the annual business meeting at 8:30 a.m.

Speakers for the conference include:

  • John R. Clark and Renee Threlfall, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Wine Grape Cultivars;
  • Doniella Winchell, director of Ohio Wine Producers, Promotion and Success in Grape and Wine Industries;
  • Elena Garcia and Susan Alman, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Arkansas Grape Industry Assessment: Needs and Trends;
  • Jackie Lee, University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, Pesticide Management in Arkansas Vineyards; and
  • Keith Striegler, E & J Gallo Winery, Growing Grapes to Meet Winery Specifications.

The conference sessions will conclude with a panel session on Future Grape Cultivars for Arkansas Growers.

The banquet speaker will be Dr. Keith Striegler, grower outreach specialist for E and J Gallo Winery. The AAGG Outstanding Achievement Award and AAGG Scholarship Awards will be presented during the banquet.

The recipients of the AAGG Outstanding Achievement Award are Eugene Post, Matthew Post and Al Wiederkehr for outstanding contributions to the viticulture and enology industry in Arkansas, Threlfall said. 

More information about the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers and the conference can be found online: http://argrapegrowers.org/.

 

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. 

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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