01/20/05 Learning grapes and wine online

01/20/05 Learning grapes and wine online

Washington Ag January 20, 2005 Washington State University will offer a viticulture certificate program online for the first time beginning February 7th. One of the courses originators, WSU Extension Food Scientist Sara Spayd, says individuals who complete the distance learning program will acquire the necessary skills and information to begin their own vineyard operations or to be successful employees in the wine and grape growing industries. The goal of the program is to enhance the overall quality of the grapes and the resulting wines produced in Washington. That Northwest Pilot Project on animal identification is still seeking participants. Project coordinator Julie Morrison says about 115 people have, or are in the process of signing up, and they represent about 12-thousand head of livestock, mostly beef cattle. Morrison: "So we are still looking for folks still. They can sign up now or any time in the next few months. We would like to have participants from all over the region." There is an incentive payment for producers to participate in the Northwest Pilot Project, which seeks to enroll 27-thousand head of livestock to include beef and dairy cattle, sheep and bison. Participants can choose from a variety of ID methods. There is information on the web at www.northwestpilot.org I'm Bob Hoff.
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