Education Without the Travel

You want to learn about sustainable winegrowing but don’t always have time to attend in-person events. That is why we are launching a suite of FREE online courses covering soil health, nutrition, climate change, and much, much more to help you grow your business.

How to Participate:

This incredible program is made possible by Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE). Participating is easy:

  • Click SIGN UP to learn on-demand through November 2024.

  • Watch courses; pass the quiz; share new knowledge with 2+ colleagues.

  • Share what you have learned in short surveys and at 2 virtual roundtables.

Courses

New courses are being added through Summer 2024.

FAQ

  • What do I need to do to participate?

    Participating is simple: 1) Watch up to 30 courses featuring veteran growers, Cooperative Extension Specialists, University researchers, and ag experts. 2) After watching the course complete a quiz to test your knowledge (70% needed to pass). 3) Complete a short survey on what you learned. 4) Use the train-the-trainer kit to educate at least 2 colleagues. 5) Join 2 virtual grower roundtable discussions. 6) Participate in the final survey.

  • What do the courses cover?

    Enhance your vineyard's sustainability with 30 online courses designed for farmers. You can choose the most relevant topics to you, like integrated pest management, irrigation efficiency, soil health, and laws and regulations.

  • How long do I have to watch the courses?

    You will have access to all of the courses through November 29, 2024.

  • What score do I need to pass the quiz?

    Each course includes a quiz to help your brain retrieve data for the future (and for DPA and CCA hours when available). Quizzes require a 70% score to pass. Don’t worry, you can take it over if you need to!

  • What is in the course survey?

    Each course includes a short survey asking if the course provided new knowledge or skills and how you plan to use your new education. These surveys are a reporting requirement of the Western SARE grant. They help us show that online education is valuable to farmers like you.

  • How do I use the Train-the-Trainer kit?

    As a participant, we ask that you share what you learned in each online course with at least two colleagues. The train-the-trainer tool kit included in each course makes this easy. Our goal is to educate 100 farmers on sustainable winegrowing directly through the online courses and reach 300 total farmers through the train-the-trainer program.

  • Are there DPR and CCA continuing education hours?

    Yes! Many of the online courses include DPR and CCA continuing education. Course titles include the number and type of hours. A certificate of completion will be emailed to you after you complete each course. Vineyard Team will submit rosters to verify your attendance. All courses with CE need to be completed by November 30. If you are SIP Certified, ALL of the courses count towards your continuing education requirement in Standard 12.1.1. Simply upload the certificate that is emailed to you after you complete the course to document your hours.

  • When are the two grower roundtables?

    Virtual grower roundtables will be held in December 2023 and 2024 and are an excellent opportunity to discuss implementing what you have learned in the online courses. These roundtables provide a platform for growers to share their challenges and successes, as well as learn from their peers about what is working for them.

  • When is the final survey?

    A final survey will be sent in January 2024 asking how many people were educated using train-the-trainer kit and what new practices were implemented at your vineyard.