AgWeatherNet

2023 WSU Wine Science Highlights

From an endowed professorship to awards and student scholarships, 2023 was an exciting year for WSU’s viticulture and enology department.

Illustration of a Blended Learning wine bottle pouring out red wine with red wine grapes next to it. Text reads "2023 Wine Science Highlights." The text on the bottle reads "Blended Learning Viticulture and Enology 2018 Sangiovese Columbia Valley" with the WSU cougar head logo.

WSU scientists offer research, advice for successful vineyard management

From unpredictable weather to pests and diseases, vineyard managers contend with a lot of challenges. Sessions at the recent WineVit conference showed that Washington State University scientists are determined to help Washington’s grape growers be successful and prosperous.

A panel of four sits in chairs. One speaks into a microphone and looks toward an individual standing at the podium. A black curtain is behind them.

Help optimize ag productivity, prevent heat-related illness and injury

AgWeatherNet and the University of Washington are partnering to develop a new heat awareness and alert system to help agricultural workplaces prepare for heat waves like we’ve seen recently. Advance notice of extremely hot days will help prioritize work activities so workers stay healthy and productive and crop loss is avoided. If you would like to participate in developing the system or have questions, please contact Jen Krenz at jkrenz@uw.edu or 206-616-4213.

Award-winning WSU research maps suitability of Washington vineyard locations

Selecting a vineyard site is one of the most important decisions for owners — it can make or break them economically. Washington State University doctoral student of engineering Golnaz Badr is using data on Washington soil, topography and weather to create a state map and scoring system that could help growers take some of the guesswork out of choosing a new vineyard location.

Golnaz Badr, WSU doctoral student of engineering, has combined Washington soil, topography and weather data into a state map showing areas suitable for vineyards.

AgWeatherNet demo attracts learners of all ages

AgWeatherNet Director Gerrit Hoogenboom recently visited the Washington State University Tri-Cities campus to share information about the university’s 160 automated weather stations across the state. Not only was there a good crowd of WSU viticulture and enology students, but 13-year-old Angelo Bravo came to learn more about being a meteorologist — a career he’s been interested in since age 3! His mother Sylvia said, “When other kids were watching cartoons, he was watching the weather channel.”

AgWeatherNet Director Gerrit Hoogenboom shows WSU vitculture and enology students how the weather station on the Tri-Cities campus works. The program manages 160 automated weather stations across Washington.