Native and Hybrid Grape Field Day set for July 28 in Little Rock
July 1, 2026
By John Lovett
University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts
- Hosted by UA Division of Agriculture and Arkansas Association of Grape Growers
- Topics include production, budgeting and marketing practices
- Rusty Tractor Vineyards farm and winery tour part of the field day
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Download PHOTOS of muscadine and hybrid grapes
LITTLE ROCK — Are two forgotten pests holding back Arkansas grape vineyards?
This question and many others will be answered at the Native and Hybrid Grape Field Day, hosted by the University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture and the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers.
The event will take place from 1-6 p.m. on July 28 at Rusty Tractor Vineyards, 10 Rusty Tractor Lane, in Little Rock.
The field day will feature a presentation by Aaron Cato, an associate professor and extension specialist for horticulture and integrated pest management for the Division of Agriculture, on recent findings showing the prevalence of two insect pests in Arkansas grapes. The pests are grape root borer, which has a two-year life cycle, and grape scale, a sap-sucking insect that can weaken vines by extracting nutrients.
There will also be sessions on production, budgeting and marketing of hybrid grapes and native grapes like muscadines that are well-adapted to being grown in Arkansas, said Amanda McWhirt, associate professor and extension fruit and vegetable horticulture specialist for the Division of Agriculture.
“We hope grape growers and wine producers in Arkansas and the surrounding states can join us to learn more about how to be successful with grapes that grow well in our environment, plus the potential for expanding plantings and wine selections for new markets,” said Renee Threlfall, an associate professor of enology and viticulture in the department of food science for the Division of Agriculture.
Field day activities
- “Grape Root Borer and Grape Scale: Are Forgotten Pests Holding Back Arkansas Vineyards?”
- Native and hybrid wine and juice tasting.
- Updates on Division of Agriculture grape and wine research.
- Demonstration of the Muscadine Grape Cultivar Selection Tool.
- Review of past and future production budgets for Arkansas muscadines.
- Growing grape and wine industries through extension and marketing.
- Tour of the Rusty Tractor Vineyards winery and farm.
Cost and registration
The cost to attend the field day is $20 for Arkansas Association of Grape Growers members and University of Arkansas employees and students. Registration is $30 per person for all other attendees. Dinner is included with registration.
Participants should complete the registration form to reserve their spot.
After registering, participants must submit their payment separately. Payment may be submitted online by credit card through the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers website or by mailing a check to: Arkansas Association of Grape Growers, P.O. Box 104, Altus, AR 72821.
For more information about registration and payment, visit the Arkansas Association of Grape Growers website.
To learn more about ag and food research in Arkansas, visit aaes.uada.edu. Follow the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station on LinkedIn and sign up for our monthly newsletter, the Arkansas Agricultural Research Report. To learn more about the Division of Agriculture, visit uada.edu. To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit uaex.uada.edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 22 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three system campuses.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact Renee Threlfall at (479) 575-4677 as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.
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Media Contact:
John Lovett
U of A Division of Agriculture
Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station
(479) 763-5929
jlovett@uada.edu