The 2021 Muscadine Virtual Conference

The North Carolina Muscadine Grape Association invites you to its 2021 conference, which will be held virtually on March 1-3.  The conference includes a “Fundamentals of Muscadine Production” webinar on Monday, March 1, and then four two-hour blocks over Tuesday, March 2 and Wednesday, March 3.  Between the two blocks, you can take a break and/or participate in breakout sessions offering small-group informal discussions. Prizes donated by conference sponsors will be awarded at various times during the sessions.

All you will need to participate is a desktop, laptop, or tablet computer that is connected to the internet and has speakers. You can also use a smart phone to participate. Attend from home, or wherever you are!  If you miss a session you are interested in, you can watch the recorded session later.

Registration Fee:
This conference is FREE to NCMGA 2021 members. You can join/renew with your registration.
Non-member registration: $50     Students/extension registration: $25

REGISTER HERE  

Conference Schedule 

March 1

1:00-2:30 pm Fundamentals of Muscadine Production Virtual Workshop – Mark Hoffmann, NCSU and Bill Cline, NCSU. Qualifies for NC Pesticide Recertification Credits for categories D, N, O, and X

March 2

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

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

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

The Right Grape for the Right Market – Mark Hoffmann, NCSU

Spring Production Recommendations – Mark Hoffmann, NCSU

Fighting Fire Ants in the Vineyard – Hannah Burrack, NCSU

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  Break and Networking

Informal breakout sessions on: Production & Disease Control, Grape Breeding & Varieties, and Food Safety/GAPs Certification

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

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

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

Not Your Grandfather’s Wine:

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

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

March 3

10:00 am – 12:00 pm

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

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

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

Research Projects, Prospects, and Priorities – Whit Winslow, NC Wine & Grape Council

12:00 pm – 1:30 pm  Break and Networking

Informal breakout sessions on: Wine Making, Wine Marketing, Regional Collaboration, and Ag Policy Prospects and Concerns

1:30 pm – 3:30 pm

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

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

Connecting Grape Growers and Grape Buyers – Phillip Nordan, Treehouse Vineyards; Daryl Locklear, Charlie T Locklear Vineyard & Winery; and open discussion

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

This schedule is subject to change. All changes will be made on this page as they are confirmed.