Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/111102
EAST COAST WATCH THOMAS MARGUERITE rated on the curriculum's goals and objectives: "Our program is designed to support continued growth and profitability of the New York wine and grape industry," he said. "The focus is on sustainable production, soil health, grape vine virus management, and the impact of cultural practices and climate on fruit quality. We work to provide growers and wineries with educational programs, workshops, newsletters and applied on-farm research. And we offer expertise in integrated management of grape insect pests and diseases." Most state agriculture agencies include programs devoted to wine and viticulture. Consider, for example, the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council. According to its director, Tyler Madison, "The Grape and Wine Marketing Program falls under the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, and works in con- 30 V I N E YARD & WINERY MANAGEMENT | junction with the Kentucky Grape and Wine Council. The council was established by legislation in 2002 to promote and assist the development of a grape industry in the Commonwealth of Kentucky." Tim Martinson, senior extension associate for Cornell University, provides a variety of educational resources for the New York state wine industry. Mar - Apr 2013 Madison added that in order to bring a diverse set of skills and opinions to the table, Council members include winery operators, grapegrowers, citizens, plus a representative from the University of Kentucky, the Commissioner of Agriculture and a delegate from the state's department of Tourism, Arts and Heritage. "And we have a superb extension specialist for enology and a very knowledgeable viticulturist at the University of Kentucky," Madison said. "We also offer two biannual grant programs: the Marketing Cost-Share Program, which provides a 50% reimbursement of total approved marketing expenditure for small farm wineries, and the Wholesaler Reimbursement Program. "As is true in most states, small farm wineries in Kentucky are not allowed to self-distribute, which means that it is often w w w. v w m m e d i a . c o m