Let's Grow Grapes - 4-H Educator Training

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New York’s grape industry is one of the state’s most dynamic agricultural sectors, supporting vineyards, research, and a wide range of careers. Yet many youth have limited opportunities to learn about grape production or explore the industry early. 4-H programs can play an important role in helping young people discover this field through hands-on learning and real-world connections to agriculture and science.

To support this effort, we are excited to offer a new professional development opportunity for 4-H educators: Let’s Grow Grapes—a training series designed to help educators introduce youth to vineyard science through engaging activities connected to the seasonal rhythm of grape growing.

Registration Open: Let’s Grow Grapes — 4-H Educator Training

Join us for Let’s Grow Grapes, a virtual training series designed to help 4-H educators bring engaging viticulture and vineyard science learning experiences to youth ages 12–19.

This five-session series introduces practical vineyard knowledge alongside hands-on teaching strategies and ready-to-use curriculum resources for 4-H programming. Participants will explore the seasonal cycle of grape growing while building confidence to facilitate vineyard-based learning with youth.

This training also supports 4-H Beyond Ready workforce development goals by helping educators introduce youth to agriculture and the grape industry. Through this program, youth can develop knowledge, practical skills, and career awareness connected to vineyard management, plant science, and agricultural systems, building assets that prepare them for future work and leadership opportunities.

Sessions will be one hour each and held live online. While recordings will be available for those with scheduling conflicts, we strongly encourage participants to attend live whenever possible for a cohort experience.

Training Schedule at 10:00 AM

Session 1 – April 10 Setting the stage for vineyard learningAn overview of the history and importance of New York’s grape industry and suitable conditions to grow grapes

Session 2 – May 1Preparing for spring vineyard explorationLearn how to introduce youth to spring vineyard growth and explore canopy structure.

Session 3 – June 5Engaging youth during the active growing seasonExplore summer vineyard management and introduce youth to integrated pest management concepts.

Session 4 – Fall Session (Date TBD – September or October)Connecting harvest season to scienceInvestigate fall vineyard activities and explore grape chemistry related to ripening and harvest.

Session 5 – Winter Session (Date TBD – October or November)Understanding the dormant seasonLearn about winter vineyard management and practice the fundamentals of dormant grapevine pruning.

Materials Included

Registered participants will receive printed curriculum materials, including:

·       Let’s Grow Grapes: MSU 4-H Viticulture Facilitator Guide

·       Let’s Grow Grapes: MSU 4-H Viticulture Participant Notebook

·       New York Adaptation Guide

These resources are designed to support hands-on youth learning and vineyard exploration activities.

Cost: $25 per participant (includes printed materials).

Register Here