2026 WA Viticulture Field Day

Join us for the 2026 Washington State University / Washington State Grape Society Viticulture Field Day!

Details

Date: Thursday, July 30th

Time: 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM

Location: We will start at WSU Prosser IAREC (24106 North Bunn Rd, Prosser, WA), and end at Ciel du Cheval (43131 N Sunset Rd, Benton City, WA)

WSDA Pesticide recertification credits have been applied for. 

Registration

Cost: $20

Registration is now open, and limited to the first 80 registrants. Click here to register. 

Agenda

8:00 AM – Check-in Opens (WSU Prosser IAREC)

8:20 AM – Introduction to the Day

8:25-10:10 AM – Rotation between three educational stations:

1.  Non-Chemical Weed Management with Dr. Rui Liu. This station will cover information on non-chemical weed management alternatives, as well as discuss and demonstration which stages of development weeds are most susceptible to management strategies. Weed management equipment will be demonstrated.
2. Soil Health-Building Practices with Dr. Devin Rippner. This station will show off the new Long-Term Soil Health Vineyard, where Dr. Rippner will discuss different practices that were used during establishment, how that is affecting vine development, and how the different treatments are impacting soil health. He will also discuss the basics of carbon in Washington soils, how different soil amendments work, and the pros and cons to the different soil health practices the vineyard used. Equipment and amendment samples will be available for participants to see / touch.
3. Understanding Soils with Dr. Liz Gillispie. This station will cover some soil basics, including texture by feel demonstrations, water movement demonstrations, how to test for calcium carbonate, and the famous “underwear” soil health demonstration!  It will also feature a soil pit.

10:15 -10:55 AM – Drive to Ciel du Cheval

11:00 AM – AgWeatherNet Smart Vineyards in Action with Kade Casciato (Ciel du Cheval), and Srikanth Gorthi and Gwen Hoheisel (WSU).  Come see an AWN Smart Farm Network in Action!  The team will discuss Smart under-canopy cooling for heat mitigation, sensor-guided irrigation management, and frost-management decision making. There will be demonstration tables showing off the different smart-farm sensors and LoRaWAN gateway integration.

11:45 AM – Field Day Wrap Up

Thank you to our sponsors!

Inland Desert Nursery

Anyone attending this program who requires auxiliary aids or services, please contact Michelle Moyer at 509-786-9234 or michelle.moyer@wsu.edu. Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local Extension office.