Learn about grape production and marketing in Tennessee

Jan 06, 2020


Later this month and in February, the University of Tennessee Center for Profitable Agriculture (CPA), in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, and Tennessee Farm Winegrowers Alliance, will offer workshops for farmers interested in producing grapes in Tennessee.

The “Considerations for Growing and Marketing Wine Grapes in Tennessee” workshops will teach current, new and potential grape producers how to grow, market and budget for grapes in Tennessee.

At each workshop, participants will learn about Tennessee’s current grape and wine industry and developing opportunities for grape production and winemaking in the state. Participants will also learn about how to produce grape vineyards in Tennessee and the important characteristics of cultivars used in winemaking. The afternoon portion of each workshop will teach participants the importance of budgeting, knowing the full costs of grape production, and considerations when marketing grapes. A panel discussion will provide participants the opportunity to hear directly from local winemakers about building partnerships and understanding the needs of local wineries.

Jared Bruhin, an Extension specialist with the UT Center for Profitable Agriculture, along with other instructors from UT Extension and representatives of TDA and TFWA, will present the workshop content at each location.
Each workshop will begin with check-in at 8:30 a.m. local time and conclude at 3:30 p.m. The dates and locations include:
  • Monday, January 27, in Crossville
  • Tuesday, January 28, in Chattanooga
  • Wednesday, January 29, in White Pine
  • Thursday, February 13, in Franklin
  • Friday, February 14, in Jackson
Participants will be notified of specific locations. 

Pre-registration is required, and there is a registration fee of $25 per person, with lunch and light morning refreshments provided. Space is limited and registration will close five days prior to each workshop. Registration is now open at http://tiny.utk.edu/Grapes2020.

This workshop fulfills a Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program requirement in Agritourism, Fruit and Vegetable, and Value-Added Producer Diversification sectors. For additional information regarding educational programs for TAEP, please contact Jan Keyser at the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, 615-837-5346.

The CPA conducts a number of workshops for Tennessee farmers and ranchers and those who are thinking of operating a value-added business. For more information about these and other CPA workshops, visit the website for the Center for Profitable Agriculture: ag.tennessee.edu/cpa. Look for a link under the “educational events” menu.
 
 
 

Read More News

Apr 16, 2024
Soybeans and corn are Tennessee’s top two row crops by planted acreage, contributing over $1.2 billion and $1.7 billion respectively to the state’s economy each year. University of Tennessee Extension Corn and Soybean Specialist Jake McNeal with the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture offers insight into capturing additional yield potential in soybeans with an earlier-than-normal planting window. 
 
Apr 09, 2024
Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC) proudly announces the first calendar contest for Tennessee FFA and 4-H members. TFC is looking for images that will be used in the 80th anniversary 2025 calendar for Tennessee Farmers Cooperative. As our calendars go to print early, photos are due on April 30. Calendars will be available at local Co-ops in the fall of 2024.
 
Apr 02, 2024
Audrey Kraszewski, an 11-year-old member of the Tri-Star Cottage School 4-H Club in Montgomery County, was named the winner of the 2023 4-H T-Shirt Design Contest, sponsored by Tennessee Farmers Cooperative (TFC).