 Grape IPM Program
Wine grapes are a ‘new’ crop in the diversification of agriculture in Vermont which has exciting value-added and agri-tourism economic opportunities for farms and rural communities. Wine grapes are being planted on newly created farms or on established farms, such as dairy farms, as an alternative crop to increase profitability. Since Vermont’s grape growers are either totally new to agriculture or are farmers with limited or no experience in growing grapes, grape IPM knowledge is limited or lacking. Growers are not aware of grape IPM principles and monitoring techniques or practices. It is a critical time in the development of this emerging agricultural industry to provide IPM education and information, including basic information on identification and disease/life cycles of the major grape diseases and arthropod pests.
The primary goal over the next three years is to continue to develop and implement an IPM program through stakeholder input and collaboration which addresses the educational needs of the emerging wine grape industry in the state. Various means of education and information transfer will be developed such as a cold climate wine grape production website, newsletter, presentations, one-to-one education, etc. Through addressing the educational priorities expressed by stakeholders, the goal is to (i) increase knowledge of how to use IPM strategies and techniques; (ii) increase knowledge on how to prevent pest management problems; (iii) provide education that allows growers to determine if pesticides are needed in vineyards; and (iv) if pesticides are warranted, provide education which will allow growers to make informed pesticide decisions which will reduce economic, health and environmental risks.
Program Contact: Lorraine
P. Berkett
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Questions or comments about site content
should be directed to lorraine.berkett@uvm.edu
Send questions or comments about this website to sarah.kingsley@uvm.edu.
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative
Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the United States
Department of Agriculture. University of Vermont Extension, Burlington, Vermont.University
of Vermont Extension and U.S. Department of Agriculture, cooperating, offer education and
employment to everyone without regard to race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,
disability, political beliefs, or marital or familial status.
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