As the use of cover crops in area vineyards grows in popularity, many growers turn to the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program for recommendations on what to plant.

Recognizing the need for research-based cover crop recommendations, the program applied for, and was awarded, a grant from the New York Farm Viability Institute. The funding has been used to measure how different cover crop mixes affect soil and vineyard health and to sponsor a conference to educate interested grape growers.

Although the concept of cover crops in vineyards is not new, the idea of planting multiple species in a mix geared towards a targeted outcome is new. To address the many questions fielded from growers, the grape program is hosting a “Cover Cropping in Concord Vineyards” conference on Thursday. Conference participants will have the opportunity to learn about cover crops in a classroom setting and have the opportunity to see test plots and a soil pit in the field located at the Cornell Lake Erie Research and Extension Laboratory in Portland.

The conference will feature a number of speakers that are both locally and regionally known for their cover crop expertise. Featured speakers include Dr. Paul Salon, USDA-NRCS Soil Health Division; Kirsten Kurtz, Cornell Soil Health Laboratory; Dr. John Wallace, Penn State; Kevin Martin, LERGP; Dr. Terry Bates, Cornell University; Luke Haggerty, LERGP; Grape Growers Bob Betts, Dave Mobilia, Andy Knight, and Bill Beckman.

The conference starts at 9 a.m., with registration starting at 8:30 a.m., and will run until 4 p.m. The CLEREL meeting facilities, 6592 West Main Road, Portland, will be used for the classroom portion of the program. Registration is $10 to cover refreshments and lunch. To register, visit the Lake Erie Regional Grape Program website at lergp.cce.cornell.edu or in person at CLEREL. For more information, call Kate at 792-2800.