Viticulture education program to provide new opportunity for grape growers

Eric Stafne, OSU Cooperative Extension fruit and nut crops specialist, said the idea behind the Viticulture Certificate Program is to provide participants with a solid background in grape growing along with a more comprehensive horticulture knowledge.

 “The program is two-tier professional in which the basic level provides college training in the fundamentals of horticultural science, plus applied training in viticulture and related techniques through OSU Cooperative Extension,” Stafne said.

Participants will be given two years to complete the basic level of the program, which includes 12 total knowledge units. These units can be completed with a combination of a horticulture science class and required viticulture emphasis courses offered through the OSU Cooperative Extension Service. Participants also must attend the Oklahoma Grape Growers and Wine Makers Association Annual Conference or the Oklahoma-Arkansas Horticulture Industries Show.

 “We are excited about this program and the opportunity it provides for those interested in learning more about horticulture and elements of viticulture,” said Dale Maronek, head of the department of horticulture and landscape architecture at OSU. “This has been the result of a lot of people willing to participate and support this educational program. Faculty from various departments at OSU-Stillwater and OSU-OKC have worked hard to develop this program. Eric Stafne, along with Brian Kahn, our department’s Undergraduate Coordinator, has worked closely with their colleagues to make this program a reality. A special thanks go out to Doug Needham, floriculture professor, for his willingness to offer our Introductory Horticulture course via distance education. People can get information and college credit without leaving their work place.”

Class and workshop topics include vine training and pruning, basic wine analysis, non-meat HACCP training, small fruit management, vineyard weed control, winery sanitation and introduction to interspecific hybrid grapes. In addition, the basic level also includes Certified Pesticide Applicator training.

Stafne said the second tier of the program involves 16 total knowledge units of advanced level core courses which must be completed in three years.

“The second tier, or the advanced level, provides additional college training in horticulture science and related disciplines, along with further applied training through the OSU Cooperative Extension Service. Some of the courses in the second level provide more in-depth coverage of areas important for understanding horticultural as a discipline,” he said. “The second tier has OSU horticulture courses as well as Cooperative Extension workshops and meetings that cover grape growing and wine making topics.”

 The second tier also includes some Certified Pest Applicator training.

There is a one-time $25 registration fee that OSU will collect at the time of enrollment in the program. Any additional fees for courses, workshops, conferences, pesticide applicator testing or other related expenses will be paid directly by the participants to the appropriate entities.

“Enrollment in this program will give Oklahoma grape growers more of a well-rounded horticulture education,” Stafne said. “Also, this is a way to infuse people into the grape growing industry. Some of the courses that participants take as part of this program will be counted toward a degree should they want to enroll at OSU and major in horticulture.”

For more information or to enroll in the Viticulture Education Program, contact Stephanie Larimer at 405-744-5404.

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Oklahoma State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture, State and Local Governments Cooperating: The Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or status as a veteran, and is an equal opportunity employer.

Trisha Gedon
Communications Specialist
Agricultural Communications Services
Oklahoma State University
136 Printing Services Building
Stillwater, OK  74078
405-744-3625 (phone)
405-744-5739 (fax)
trisha.gedon@okstate.edu