Michigan 4-H launches new viticulture curriculum: Let's Grow Grapes

Dixie Sandborn<dixie@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension -

Let’s Grow Grapes: Michigan 4-H Viticulture is an introduction to the grape industry, focusing on growing grapes and exploring careers in viticulture (the science and practice of cultivating grapes).

Grape vines and grape blusters around the words Michigan 4-H Viticulture, Let's Grow Grapes Facilitator Guide with the 4-H Clover.

Michigan State University Extension is happy to announce the release of a new curriculum, Let’s Grow Grapes: Michigan 4-H Viticulture. This curriculum is an introduction to the grape industry, focusing on growing grapes and exploring careers in viticulture (the science and practice of cultivating grapes). The purpose of the 4-H viticulture project is to create interest and provide an opportunity for youth ages 12-19 to engage with industry professionals in the grape industry.

This curriculum is based on exploring vineyards with a viticulturist, asking questions and discovering answers. As youth learn about grapes, they may want to know more about this growing industry. The Let’s Grow Grapes curriculum, which is based on STEM concepts, will encourage youth to research more about growing and processing grapes into a variety of products.

Careers in the grape and wine industry are also highlighted in Let’s Grow Grapes. There are many grape industry careers, including farming, wine making, marketing, supply chain management, engineering, teaching, hospitality, food science and more. Youth may explore the curriculum and find one that’s just right for them!

In Let’s Grow Grapes, each 4-H club, classroom or individual is encouraged to partner with a vineyard and a viticulturalist to explore grape growing, understand careers in the industry, and participate in viticulture practices.

The curriculum includes two main documents: the Facilitator Guide and the Participant Notebook.

  • The Facilitator Guide contains an introduction and 13 lessons, as well as an appendix that includes the careers section, grape fast facts, recipes, the Next Generation Science Standards connections, a parent letter, and a list of animated videos that were created to correlate with the lessons.
  • The Participant Notebook contains accompanying notebook pages that interrelate to the lessons and encourage engagement to increase understanding. It also includes an appendix that includes the careers section, grape fast facts, recipes, a glossary, a list of animated videos and the “Growing Grapes in Containers” activity. Participants are encouraged to do this last activity at home on their own.

Lessons in Let’s Grow Grapes include:

  1. Michigan Viticulture: How Did Winemaking Evolve in Michigan?
  2. Digging Deep: What Type of Soil Is in the Vineyard?
  3. Canopy Exploration: What Affects Canopy Health?
  4. Pruning Dormant Grapevines: When and Why Should Grapevines Be Pruned?
  5. Grape Chemistry: Are the Grapes Ready for Harvest?
  6. Spring in the Vineyard
  7. Summer in the Vineyard
  8. Fall in the Vineyard
  9. Winter in the Vineyard
  10. Vineyard Mapping: Where Should You Plant the Grapes? Part 1
  11. Vineyard Mapping: Where Should You Plant the Grapes? Part 2
  12. Vineyard Site Selection and Establishment: Will Grapes Thrive Here?
  13. Integrated Pest Management: Why Is Pest Management Important?

Most lessons include an overview, the suggested age level for participants, the season best suited for the lesson, whether a viticulturist is needed for that lesson, suggested lesson location and the time it takes to complete the lesson. Lessons, which are explained in sequential steps, also include objectives, materials needed and background the facilitator may need to teach the lesson knowledgably. New vocabulary introduced in each lesson is also included in a glossary.

When you participate in the Let’s Grow Grapes project, you will:

  • Enhance science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) skills through viticulture.
  • Explore careers in viticulture and the grape and wine industry.
  • Engage in hands-on experiential learning activities involving viticulture and the grape and wine industry.

Have fun with this exciting new curriculum and growing grapes!

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

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