Detailed Conference Schedule

 Please note that start times shown are approximate. Prizes from conference sponsors will be awarded in each segment of the program. Must be present to win. 

March 1

1:00-2:30 pm Fundamentals of Muscadine Production Virtual Workshop Qualifies for NC Pesticide Recertification Credits for categories D, N, O, and X

1:00 Establishment, production practices, weed control – Mark Hoffmann, NCSU Dept. of  Horticultural Science

1:50 Management and control of insect pests and diseases – Bill Cline, NCSU Dept. of Plant Pathology and Entomology

March 2 MORNING  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

10:00 am – 12:00 pm  Qualifies for NC Pesticide Recertification Credits for categories D, N, O, and X

10: 05 Update on Seedless Muscadines – Panel presentation with Penny Perkins Veazie, NCSU; Renee Threlfall, University of Arkansas; Jeff Bloodworth, Gardens Alive; Margaret Worthington, University of Arkansas; and Mark Hoffmann, NCSU

10:50 Essential Food Safety Practices for Fresh Market Growers Large or Small – Lynnette Johnson, NCSU

11:05 The Right Grape for the Right Market
           & Spring Production Recommendations – Mark Hoffmann, NCSU Dept. of  Horticultural Science

11:45 Fighting Fire Ants in the Vineyard – Hannah Burrack, NCSU Dept. of Plant Pathology and Entomology

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm BREAK & Informal breakout sessions (choose the one you want)

• Production & Disease Control
• Grape Breeding & Varieties

• Food Safety & GAPs Certification

March 2 AFTERNOON  1:30 – 3:30 pm

1:30 NCMGA’s New Muscadine Winemakers Project – Debby Wechsler, NC Muscadine Grape Association

1:45 Defining How to Evaluate Muscadine Wines. – Chuck Blethen, Jewel of the Blue Ridge Vineyard & Muscadine Nursery

2:20 Not Your Grandfather’s Wine:

• Making Dry Muscadine Wines – Nadia Hetzel, Cypress Bend Vineyards
• Sparking Muscadine Wines – Mark Friszolowski, Childress Vineyards

3:05 Increasing the Price Point for Muscadine Wines – Tina Smith, Cypress Bend Vineyards

Please note that start times shown are approximate. Prizes from conference sponsors will be awarded in each segment of the program. Must be present to win. 

March 3 MORNING  10:00 am – 12:00 pm

10:00 Muscadine Grapes and Health: New Frontiers – Dr. William Wagner, Wake Forest School of Medicine and President, Muscadine Naturals and Tamaro Hudson, Howard University College of Medicine, School of Pharmacology

10:25 Muscadines Around Our Region –  Gary Paulk, Paulk Vineyards (Georgia); Joseph Post, Post Winery (Arkansas); George Cowie, Chautauqua Vineyard & Winery (Florida)

11:15 A Vision for Regional Collaboration – Roundtable discussion with the presenters from the previous session and muscadine leaders in NC 

11:50 Research Projects, Prospects, and Priorities – Whit Winslow, NC Wine & Grape Council and Gregg Zarnstorff, NCSU

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm BREAK & Informal breakout sessions  (choose the one you want)

• Wine Making
• Wine Marketing
• Regional Collaboration
• Ag Policy Prospects and Concerns

March 3 – AFTERNOON 1:30 – 3:30 pm 

1:30 Vineyard Spotlight – Preston Williams, Seven Springs Farms and Vineyards, LLC

2:10 Becoming a Real Business, Not Only a Grower or Winemaker – Phillip Nordan, Treehouse Vineyards and Tina Smith, Cypress Bend Vineyards

2:40 What Can the Muscadine Association Do for You?  Open Discussion

3:00 NCMGA Annual Meeting and Conference Wrap-Up
with a tribute to NCMGA President Ervin Lineberger, Killdeer Farm, who passed away in January.