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eViticulture — A National Viticulture Resource Containing the Latest Science-based Information for Viticulturists
This resource, created by the Grape Community of Practice (GCoP), is directed toward commercial viticulturists who need solid, tested, science-based information to improve their skills in the vineyard. The Grape CoP is comprised of a nationwide group of professionals with expertise in grape production. All of the states involved have a grape industry, from very large (California) to very small (South Dakota), and all have an increasing interest in grape production. Expertise within the GCoP includes integrated pest management, plant pathology, food science, distance education, variety selection, canopy management, and rootstocks, just to name a few. Often individuals possess more than one expertise area, and expertise areas may overlap, allowing for overall strength in numerous knowledge areas. In fact, many members of the GCoP have collaborated in the past on research and extension efforts. The GCoP intends to be inclusive rather than exclusive with other disciplines. Several stakeholders indicated their desire to see the formation of a GCoP, including the National Grape and Wine Initiative. All content is collaboratively authored and reviewed by our community of professionals with expertise in viticulture and related disciplines.
Our Mission
The Grape Community of Practice (GCoP) strives to meet the educational needs of the grape industry as a whole; including industry partners, extension employees, and consumers by providing science-based information and learning opportunities through eXtension.
Our Vision
Any professional in the field of viticulture, hobbyist, or consumer will be able to access information about any aspect of growing and producing grapes at any time by any Internet-ready method and, by doing so, will increase their knowledge and use the information as a way to improve their skills, life, and/or business.
Our Values
The GCoP believes in:
- The land-grant philosophy of helping people put knowledge to work to better their lives
- Using all appropriate means to increase access of the grape community of interest (GCoI) to objective, research-based information and learning opportunities
- Creativity in the adoption of new technology to further the mission of the GCoP
- Collaboration in material development, joint ownership, and peer-review
- Recognition of contributions to achieving the mission of the GCoP
eViticulture Tools
Feature Articles: Our feature articles cover everything from basic concepts of viticulture to the latest, ground-breaking research written in an easy to understand context.
Ask an Expert: Have you not been able to find the answer to your question anywhere or don’t know whom to ask? Now you do. Submit a specific question related to viticulture using eXtension’s Ask an Expert, and it will go directly to one of our experts. The answer to your questions will be responded to via email with a short turnaround time. Nowhere else do you have access to the national collective of expertise that eViticulture provides.
Future content: As eXtension and its Grape Community of Practice grow, new collaborations and content will emerge. Concepts for many new and exciting areas are being considered for future implementation, including webinars, videos, online courses, smart phone applications, and much more.
Our Funders
eViticulture and the Grape Community of Practice are funded by the NIFA-USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative (SCRI) and eXtension. eViticulture is actively seeking new funding streams to keep our content fresh and current. If you are interested in supporting eViticulture, please contact Eric Stafne at estafne@ext.mssstate.edu.
Contact Us
If you have experience and expertise in viticulture and would like to join our community, contact us by joining eXtension and indicating your interest in joining the Grape Community of Practice.