Our "learning" vineyard is at Shone Farm in Forestville - a beautiful spot shared with the Agriculture Program students. Today's first lesson in Vineyard Management took place in a classroom replete with posters of the skeletal system of the horse and a "back half of the cow" statue (life size) that appeared to open on hinges - I'm guessing to reveal the workings where all the milk comes from!? We did not actually get into the vineyard today, but I could see it from the open doorway (!) It was actually relaxing to hear horses and sheep in the stalls next to the teaching pavilion all through class...
This particular class will feature a different guest speaker each week. Today we learned about viticultural "issues" specific to Sonoma County from Rhonda Smith, a Farm Advisor with the University of California's Cooperative Extension Program. Now I know all about Vine Mealybug (which can actually LIVE through the grape pressing cycle!), Pierce's Disease (all the grape leaves turn red) and Berry Shrivel - which is exactly what it sounds like!! Our major project for this class involves the written and oral presentation of a complete vineyard budget spreadsheet. As the instructor was explaining this assignment, I looked around the room and noticed a number of "deer in the headlight" faces....just like mine!
No comments:
Post a Comment