Press Release For Immediate Release – June 19, 2000
Program Contact: Dr. Imed Dami, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, 618-453-1782
Registration Contact: Ken Robinson, SIUC Continuing Education, 618-536-7751

State Viticulturist Announces State Workshop

Southern Illinois University and University of Illinois are jointly organizing the second annual summer meeting for grape growers and vintners held Saturday, July 15, in the expanding grape growing region of southwest Illinois. Morning seminar sessions will be held at Lewis and Clark Community College in Godfrey.

Vineyard demonstrations will be conducted at Piasa Vineyard in Godfrey. Grape, wine, and disease specialists will present a variety of topics relevant to harvest and current vineyard situations. Topics will include how to estimate yields and monitor ripening, when to pick grapes, and how to improve fruit quality and increase its market value by practicing a few tips in canopy and disease management. Hand-on demonstrations will be conducted in the vineyard.

Speakers include state viticulturist Dr. Imed Dami, state enologist Dr. Stephen Menke, and state fruit pathologist Dr. Mohammed Babadoost , and vineyard owner Mark Darr.

Workshops are $30 per person and include breakfast, lunch, handouts, and refreshments. Participants must pre-register by July 11, 2000. Breakfast and registration begin at 8:30 AM. Seminar sessions are from 9 AM until 4:30 PM.

To register, contact Ken Robinson, SIUC Continuing Education, 618-536-7751. For additional program information, contact Dr. Imed Dami, 618-453-1782.
Dr. Dami's e-mail address is imeddami@siu.edu.