October 2017 Newsletter

Post-harvest drive underway for the Collaborative

Thrice for good measure: Cheers, cheers, and cheers to another fruitful Michigan harvest season! Growth, quality, and consistency are clear distinctions in our region, and we’d like to congratulate and thank all parties involved in keeping Michigan special. As Thanksgiving season draws near, we’re taking a few new approaches to assessing our leadership here in the vine to wine industry.

On this note, MWC members should be aware that our application for a Specialty Crop Grant via the Michigan Department of Agriculture & Rural Development was approved, extending from October 2017 through September 2019. This project will focus on increasing membership, as well as expanding the Michigan wine industry’s knowledge, promotion and consumption of Michigan wines, and profitability in the long-term. For this purpose, a part-time project director/marketing coordinator will be announced following the monthly November meeting. In addition, the Collaborative board has three open slots, which we look forward to filling. For inquiries, suggestions, or questions, please contact [email protected].

Research & Education to drive Michigan apprenticeship opportunities

We’ve seen it all before: students who graduate from programs with high marks, but who may lack marketable skills and certifications to enter directly into the workforce. It is quite clear that collaboration between education and work is necessary to solve this problem.

Thus, in the context the wine industry, Tom Petzold of Ten Hands Vineyards and Tom Smith of MSU are spearheading Michigan’s apprenticeship program. These paid, comprehensive training contracts are work-focused but augmented by course work, instead of vice-versa, to enforce hands-on experience before apprentices enter or re-enter the formal workforce.

This project is not only beneficial to future employees, but to future employers. Less time and/or effort may be put into training due to previous experience, and institutions are granted cash to offset salary costs. Look for more information coming soon at the Michigan Wine Collaborative’s website.

: This summer marks Youngblood Vineyards’s first harvest to date in southeast Michigan

: MWC’s interview support in Tom Todaro as northwest Michigan viticulture extension agent from MSU

Sustainability committee to host Great Lakes Sustainable Wine Alliance meeting on November 2nd at 1 pm. For inquiries on GLSWA certification, please contact [email protected]

Lake Michigan College pledges to feature solely Southwest Michigan wines at college-hosted events. Via: Dave Miller

Reminder that board meetings take place bi-monthly. All members (voting and non-voting) are welcomed to attend. In addition, time is allotted for public comments or questions. The next board meeting is scheduled for 10 amon Thursday, November 9th. Please contact us at [email protected]or message us on Facebook for further information.

For more news and information, please visit us at www.michiganwinecollaborative.com. As always, please like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram @michiganwinecollaborative, and now follow us on LinkedIn. We look forward to seeing you online!

Cheers,

Dave Miller, President