Certificate Program in Viticulture
Printable Brochure and Application Form
Overview
The Certificate Program in Viticulture is the product of collaboration
between the Department of Plant & Soil Science at Texas Tech
University and Texas Cooperative Extension, an agency of the Texas
A&M University System. The rigor and quality of the coursework
is designed for individuals with an orientation toward commercial
grape production and professional work in the viticulture industry.
The certificate consists of six courses held over a two-year period.
Successful completion of the five online courses and all three
sessions of the Vineyard Practices course is required to receive the
Professional Certificate in Viticulture.
The certificate program will operate on a cohort basis to enhance
the learning experience and facilitate networking opportunities
for participants. For this reason, the program is limited to 40
participants who are willing to make the commitment to move
through all courses over the two-year period. Enrollment in
individual courses is not available.
Curriculum
Online – Module One (2007-2008 Academic Year)
- 1. Grape Biology
- 2. Site Assessment and Vineyard Development
Online – Module Two (2008-2009 Academic Year)
- 3. Vine Nutrition and Water Management
- 4. Canopy Management and Crop Load Management
- 5. Disease and Insect Pest Management
Practical Module*
- 6. Vineyard Practices (Winter, Summer, Pre-Harvest/Harvest)
*The three sessions of the Vineyard Practices Course will be held once during each
academic year. Participants therefore have two opportunities to take the sessions.
They must attend each of the three seasonal sessions at least once over the course of
the two-year program. Participants may attend sessions in any of the four geographic
regions.
Prerequisites
As a prerequisite for the program, participants should have completed either the
Texas Viticulture Shortcourse, a grape growing orientation session held by Texas
Cooperative Extension, or other academic Viticulture courses. Course materials are
approximately the equivalent of a junior-level academic course.
Non-degree credit
Although these classes do not carry academic credit, the coursework can be rigorous
and demanding in terms of time and content. When successfully completed, these
courses lead to the Professional Certificate in Viticulture and participants will receive
17 continuing education units for a total of 170 clock hours of instruction. No partial
credits can be given.
Computer Requirements
The online portion of the program will be delivered via WebCT. Minimum computer
requirements for a successful experience in this class are: Pentium II processor with at
least 266 Megahertz (MHZ) or faster, 128 megabytes of memory, 5-10 megabytes of
free disk space, Internet access service, and a minimum Internet connection speed of
56k per second.
A reliable e-mail address and word processing software will also be needed.
Applicants accepted into the program will be provided with web access to coursework
following completion of registration.
Instructors
Kirk Williams, Texas Tech University, All online classes
Fran Pontasch, Texas Cooperative Extension, Vineyard Practices (North Texas)
Penny Adams, Texas Cooperative Extension, Vineyard Practices (Hill Country)
Teresa Burns, Texas Cooperative Extension, Vineyard Practices (West Texas)
Fritz Westover, Texas Cooperative Extension, Vineyard Practices (Gulf Coast)
Contacts
Dr. Ed Hellman, Program Coordinator
ewhellman@ag.tamu.edu
806.746.6101
Kirk Williams, Instructor
kirk.w.williams@ttu.edu
General Information
Fees
The total cost of the program is $2,400. Each module is priced separately; Module
One: $1,200, Module Two: $800, Practical Module $400. Payment for each module is
made during the respective registration period (see schedule below). Payment may be
made by check, Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. You need not include
any payment with the enclosed application form.
Application
Participants must first apply for admission into the program and meet certain
prerequisites, including approval from the program coordinator. Enrollment is limited
to 40 cohort members. Deadline for application is July 23, 2007. Participants will be
notified of acceptance into the program by August 6, 2007. To apply for admission,
fill out and submit the enclosed form. Registration instructions will be provided upon
acceptance into the program.
Application Form
Application Deadline for 2007-2009: July 23, 2007
Cancellations/Refunds
Refunds, less a $50 processing fee, will be granted for refund requests received by
August 24, 2007. Thereafter, only partial refunds can be granted.
Viticulture Course Descriptions
Grapevine Biology. Introduction to the taxonomic classification of grape species and the structure and function of grapevines. Botanical and viticultural terminology used to describe the anatomy of a grapevine will be introduced. The major physiological processes of grapevines will be introduced: photosynthesis, respiration, transpiration, and translocation. Other physiological processes will be introduced including acclimation and de-acclimation, cold hardiness, water relations, and hormones. The influence of environmental factors on physiological processes will be examined.
Site Assessment and Vineyard Development. The major considerations for assessment of a potential vineyard site will be addressed including macroclimate, mesoclimate, soil characteristics, topography, irrigation water availability and quality, disease and pest pressure, size of property, location, and economics. The fundamentals of vineyard development – design and construction - will be introduced. Vineyard design factors addressed include matching varieties and rootstocks to the site, trellis system, vine and row spacing, row orientation and length, block layout, and irrigation system design. Practices involved with construction of a vineyard are introduced including trellis construction, planting vines, and vine training.
Vine Nutrition and Water Management. Introduction to the concepts and practices of mineral nutrient management of grapevines. The nutrient requirements of grapevines will be reviewed and soil nutrient content and availability will be addressed. Methods for monitoring vine nutrition will be introduced including soil testing and tissue analysis. Fertilizers and fertilization practices will be introduced. Introduction to the water requirements of grapevines and management of water availability. Irrigation practices will be reviewed including irrigation scheduling using soil moisture monitoring and evapotranspiration, and the use of deficit irrigation strategies.
Canopy Management and Crop Load Management. Review of the characteristics of a desirable grapevine canopy and effects of excessive or deficient canopy on vine health and fruit quality and yield. The concept of a balanced grapevine will be introduced and the consequences of imbalance addressed. Methods for estimating crop load will be reviewed and thinning techniques for adjusting crop load.
Disease and Insect Management. Introduction to the management of diseases and insects with emphasis on common problems in Texas. The major grape diseases in Texas will be reviewed including pathogen lifecycles, damage caused, vine symptoms, associated risk factors, and control options. Disease management practices will be introduced including sanitation, cultural practices, and pesticide use. Introduction to the management of insects, mites, and other arthropod pests of grapes. The concept of integrated pest management (IPM) will be introduced. IPM methods and tools will be reviewed including scouting, trapping, damage thresholds, sanitation, cultural practices and pesticide use. The major grape pests in Texas will be reviewed including lifecycles, damage caused, vine symptoms, associated risk factors, and control options.
Vineyard Practices. Vineyard Practices is a hands-on experiential learning class that provides instructor-led activities in standard vineyard practices. A series of three one-day sessions comprise the Vineyard Practices course; sessions are held during three key times of the season to encompass all major activities in the vineyard. Session I - Winter covers pruning, trellis maintenance and repair, plant material assessment and handling, and vine planting. Session II – Summer addresses canopy management, vine nutrition, irrigation scheduling, disease and pest management. Session III – Pre-Harvest covers crop estimation, thinning, fruit maturity analysis, and harvest practices and logistics.
Printable Brochure and Application Form
