Texas wine-grape growers invited to cluster Feb. 11 for annual field day The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Austin County Grape Growers Committee will co-sponsor the 19th annual Gulf Coast Grape Growers Field Day on Feb. 11 in Cat Spring,
GardenNews.biz - Jan 18,2011 - Texas wine-grape growers invited to cluster Feb. 11 for annual field day
CAT SPRING – The Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Austin County Grape Growers Committee will co-sponsor the 19th annual Gulf Coast Grape Growers Field Day on Feb. 11 in Cat Spring, about 75 miles west of Houston.
The field day will be held at the Cat Spring Agriculture Society Hall, 13035 Hall Rd. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with presentations and activities scheduled from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
"We hold this field day annually to inform and benefit both the novice and experienced grower, and to introduce them to the latest in vineyard research, practices and products," said Fritz Westover, AgriLife Extension viticulture specialist for the Gulf Coast and South Texas regions. He also provides statewide coordination and supervision for AgriLife Extension's viticulture team.
Westover said last year's program drew more than 175 participants from throughout the state.
"This is the biggest viticulture education event of the year for the Gulf Coast region and one of the biggest in the state," he said.
Westover said there will be an array of viticulture topics addressed at the field day. Topics will include grape pest and disease management, grape maturity for wine quality, management practices for new vineyards, grower discussion panels and the latest in Texas AgriLife vineyard demonstrations.
Speakers will include experts from AgriLife Extension, industry, and the Texas Wine and Grape Growers Association.
"We are expecting a record number of exhibitors in 2011 to showcase special offers on vineyard equipment and services," Westover said.
A minimum of three continuing education units will be available to licensed pesticide applicators.
Registration cost, which includes lunch, beverages and a wine social, is $20. All registration for this year’s field day will be at the door and must be paid in cash or by check.
For more information, contact Westover at 281-855-5608 or fawestover@ag.tamu.edu.
