| APPROACH:
The Massachusetts component of this project is a broad, multi-disciplinary effort. This is a summary of the key compenents in the approach. Most commodity-based teams in UMEXT Agriculture & Landscape have an advisory committee that provides input on industry needs and issues, and in turn learns from the teams about University issues, research and team needs. Advisory committees may be made up of growers, or also include people from environmental, other businesses, other institutions, or government. While any independent advisory committee takes on a life of its own, we would expect that the Wine Council would not only serve as a communication point between the grape industry and the University, but also take on the role of advocating for grape and wine production in Massachusetts. In particular, we would hope that they could develop ways to fund research and Extension at UMass Amherst, including the Cranberry Expt. Sta. Given the winter temperatures, it will be
necessary to identify those areas with microclimate and other features best adapted to grape production. Working in cooperation with USDA/NRCS staff at the Amherst office for GIS expertise, we will identify potential vineyard sites in MA using macroclimatic and mesoclimatic data, (e.g. frost dates, low temperatures, degree days, elevation, aspect, slope, present land use, and soils). Concurrently, we will establish research plantings for cultivar evaluation at UMass and at grower locations. Significant information is available regarding wine grape cvs. suitable for cooler climates. Two plots, one for Vinifera (~ 0.5 A) and one for hybrids (~1 A) will be planted at UMass Cold Spring Orchard, accommodating ca. 10 cvs. In addition, three grower cooperators will be identified, and 1/4 acre demonstration vineyards containing single replications of ca. 3 cvs. will be planted on their farms. All vineyards will be planted in spring 2005. Varieties will be planted in a statistical design that
can accommodate experiments that will look at cultural methods to enhance grape quality, growth regulators, and pest management. Environmental data on research plantings, and the demonstration and research plantings on farms, will be taken using Campbell CR-10X data loggers programmed to record temperature, rain, relative humidity, soil temperature and leaf wetness.
|
CRIS NUMBER: 0202869
SUBFILE: CRIS
PROJECT NUMBER: MAS008533
SPONSOR AGENCY: NIFA
PROJECT TYPE: HATCH
PROJECT STATUS: TERMINATED
MULTI-STATE PROJECT NUMBER: (N/A)
START DATE: Apr 1, 2005
TERMINATION DATE: Mar 31, 2009
GRANT PROGRAM: (N/A)
GRANT PROGRAM AREA: (N/A)
CLASSIFICATION
|
| 202 | 1131 | 1060 | 2.2 | 30% |
| 205 | 1131 | 1060 | 2.2 | 45% |
| 601 | 1131 | 1060 | 2.3 | 25% |
|
|
CLASSIFICATION HEADINGS
KA202 - Plant Genetic Resources
KA601 - Economics of Agricultural Production and Farm Management
KA205 - Plant Management Systems
S1131 - Wine grapes
F1060 - Biology (whole systems)
G2.3 - Provide Risk Management and Financial Tools
G2.2 - Increase Efficiency of Production and Marketing Systems
RESEARCH EFFORT CATEGORIES
| BASIC |
50% |
| APPLIED |
50% |
| DEVELOPMENTAL |
(N/A)% |
KEYWORDS: vitis; wine; grapes; research programs; education programs; sustainable agriculture; wine manufacture; plant genetics; crop production; production systems; vineyards; cultivars; geographic information systems; advisory councils; advisory services; economic viability; integrated pest management
PROGRESS: Oct 1, 2007 TO Sep 30, 2008
OUTPUTS: This project completed construction of fermentation facilities at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center (CSOREC) in Belchertown MA, maintained and conducted a successful harvest from the 0.5 ha demonstration wine vineyard at CSOREC, initiated fermentation cycles for 6 initial wine styles for evaluation, completed the first year of the new Massachusetts Farm Winery and Grower's Association (http://masswinery.com/), continued work on the GIS-based site assessment tool (ArcInfo) and associated manual to evaluate potential vineyard sites in the state, and assisted 3 cooperating growers with demonstration table grape vineyards planted in 2007 (Clarkdale Orchard, Apex Orchard, and Clark Bros. Orchard). This project held 4 on-site Cold Climate Viticulture workshops at the UMass CSOREC with a total of 147 participants and contributed substantially to information delivered at 6 additional educational meetings with a total of 290 participants. Twelve on-site consultations with current or prospective viticulturists about vineyard establishment/management were held as were numerous phone/email consultations about cold climate viticulture. This project contributed substantially to student exposure to cold climate viticulture via PLNTSOIL 305 Small Fruit Production (25 undergraduates), 2 graduate students thesis projects on grape disease management and employment of 3 undergraduate students in all aspects of vineyard management. This project has contributed directly to the University's capacity to produce educational/outreach materials for current and prospective vineyardists in the form of 1) a seasonal e-newsletter 'New England Grape Notes' (11 issues, 195 subscribers) with scouting and weather data, and disease forecast models, 2) website content at www.newenglandwinegrapes.org (5,246 hits), and 3) a vineyard suitability assessment tool. Knowledge and information gained from this project was disseminated through meetings (e.g., on-farm twilight meetings, hands-on workshops, undergraduate labs, conference presentations), electronically distributed newsletters, and publications such as the New England Small Fruit Pest Management Guide (Grape chapter), and the Massachusetts Small Fruit Best Management Practices Manual (Grape Chapter). Three additional grant funded projects were initiated this year to advance work started with this project; "Demonstration Small Scale Winery and Cider Production Facility for UMass CSOREC, Mass Dept. of Ag. Resources Ag Innovations Center; "Multi-State Evaluation of Winegrape Cultivars and Clones" - NE1020, USDA CSREES; "Combining a Disease and Weather Monitoring Network with Measurements of Inoculum Potential for Disease Forecasting in Vineyard IPM for Southern New England", NE-IPM. PARTICIPANTS: Daniel R. Cooley, PhD. - (PI) Dr. Cooley oversaw and participated in project activities, presented talks at grower meetings, coordinated work on the site evaluation model and facilitated integration of graduate students (2) into the project. Sonia Schloemann, MS. - Ms. Schloemann coordinated field activities (all aspects of vineyard management and harvest), outreach activities (mentoring grower demonstration blocks, meetings, newsletters, guides and manuals, and updating the website), winery activities (facility establishment and set-up, fermentation cycles), and served as liaison with the Massachusetts Farm Winery and Growers Association. Duane Greene, PhD. - Dr. Greene supervised field and winery activities providing valuable guidance in establishing protocols for enology research and development, as well as vineyard management practices. Jon Clements, MS. - Mr. Clements assisted the project in gathering weather data and disease model information. Frank Caruso, PhD. - Dr. Caruso assisted the project in grower support and diagnostics and provided information useful for newsletters and fact sheets. Hilary Sandler, PhD. - Dr. Sandler assisted the project in grower support and diagnostics and provided information useful for newsletters and fact sheets. Arthur Tuttle, MS. - Mr. Tuttle was involved in coordinating winery activities, carrying out field activities (vineyard management) and supervising student labor. Miller, Robert (undergraduate). - Mr. Miller worked extensively on the development of the GIS-based ArcInfo vineyard site assessment model for Massachusetts. Miller, Barbara (NRCS) - Ms. Miller assisted in the development of the GIS-based ArcInfo vineyard site assessment model for Massachusetts. The project collaborated extensively with the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) through their Agricultural Innovations Center grant program, which co-funded the establishment of the research/demonstration winery facility. The project also collaborated with the Massachusetts Fruit Growers Association (MFGA) in funding and developing all aspects of vineyard and winery operations at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard and presenting educational programming. The project collaborated with the Massachusetts Farm Winery and Growers Association (http://masswinery.com), as well, in sponsoring two on-farm twilight meetings for vineyard growers. This project offered training opportunities for: undergraduate students in PLNTSOIL 305 - Small Fruit Production; graduate students by providing a site for field research; new entry vineyard growers with basic entry level information, guidance and hands-on experience; experienced vineyard growers with higher level research based information; homeowners and hobbyists with hands-on workshops. TARGET AUDIENCES: This project served multiple audiences in Massachusetts and surrounding states including established vineyard/winery operators, new or prospective vineyard/winery operators, farm operators considering expansion into a new crop, students (undergraduate and graduate), small scale and hobbyist vineyard/winery growers, University faculty and Extension professionals who together comprise the community of interest. These audiences were reached by multiple vehicles including workshops, twilight meetings, conference presentations, newsletters, individual consultations, University class and laboratory sessions, and a website. The demographic distribution of the community of interest is approximately 67% male and 33% female, 72% age 18-55 and 28% age 55 and over, 87% Caucasian, 2% African American, 4% Asian and 7% Hispanic. Participation by individuals with disability was 2%. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
IMPACT: 2007-10-01 TO 2008-09-30
This project has contributed directly to increasing the knowledge and capacity at UMass in the disciplines of viticulture and enology. By establishing and managing demonstration vineyards and a fermentation facility, practical knowledge was gained on variety performance, training systems, trellising systems, insect, disease and weed management, canopy management, harvest parameters and procedures, winemaking facility design, equipment, product flow, fermentation techniques, etc. Additionally, the development of a vineyard site assessment tool and associated manual helps determine the suitability of prospective sites. Two faculty and two professional staff have significantly increased their knowledge in viticulture, especially cold climate viticulture, and have established UMass as the leading institution in New England for delivering this information to growers. These same individuals are now developing a curriculum for a Viticulture/Enology concentration for an Associate's Degree to be awarded through the UMass Stockbridge School of Agriculture. Grower workshops and demonstrations have increased knowledge in the community of interest about good viticultural practices suited for the New England climate. Likewise newsletters and publications have increased the knowledge base in the community of practice for good vineyard management. By developing a vineyard site suitability tool, new entry vineyardists are able to evaluate prospective sites with confidence and make informed decisions about vineyard establishment. By facilitating the establishment of the Massachusetts Farm Wineries and Growers Association, this project has helped to support established and prospective vineyard/winery operations. Indirectly, this project has contributed to a change in conditions in as much as the number of vineyard/winery operations in Massachusetts has nearly doubled to 29 from 15 in less than 10 years (1998-2007) according to the most recent MDAR survey. There are an additional 6-8 vineyard/winery establishments in development, but not yet bonded and licensed. A similar trend is seen in New England, generally. Through this and other project, UMass is well positioned to serve this emerging community of interest.
PUBLICATION INFORMATION: 2007-10-01 TO 2008-09-30
Schloemann, S. G. 2008. New England Grape Notes. Semi-weekly. Provides technical information and observations from network of sources. Via e-mail and posted on New England Wine Grape Growers website www.newenglandwinegrapes.org.
PROJECT CONTACT INFORMATION
| NAME: |
Patti Cromack` |
| PHONE: |
413-545-5913 |
| FAX: |
413-545-1977 |
|