Cornell Cooperative Extension highlights regional grape testing and local "tailgate" meetings

Hans Walter-Peterson, Viticulture Extension Specialist with Cornell Cooperative Extension, thanked the committee for its continued support of the Cooperative Extension and the regional grape program. He said the program collects grape samples from vineyards throughout the Finger Lakes region — including Young Sommer Winery in Williamson — and distributes the findings through a regular newsletter to help growers make management decisions.

Walter-Peterson described on-farm "tailgate" meetings held across the region and said one meeting is consistently held in Wayne County to allow local growers to network and learn. He summarized the program's guiding motto as "Research, Relationships, and Relevance," noting the Extension's emphasis on building relationships with producers and delivering useful, local research findings.