SYCAMORE, Ill. — A survey conducted by the University of Illinois in 2005 indicated the grape and wine industry continues to be one of the fastest-growing sectors of agriculture in the state.

To help those interested in an opportunity to learn more about grape production, the DeKalb County Extension will host a workshop on Saturday, Dec. 9 on planning a commercial vineyard.

This workshop will be conducted by Bill Shoemaker of the University of Illinois, and it will include a commercial grape-grower and winemaker as guest speakers.

The goal of the workshop is to give potential growers tools for evaluating their probability for establishing a successful grape production enterprise.

Presenters will discuss the state of the industry, preparing a business plan, the challenges of establishing a vineyard, commercial wine grape production practices and balancing the needs of both grape-growers and winemakers.

Commercial industry representatives will discuss their experiences. Participants will receive a packet of information, a CD-ROM with a vineyard business plan workbook and a copy of the new publication Midwest Grape Production Guide. The guide is online at http://ohioline.osu.edu/b919

The workshop will take place at the DeKalb County Center for Agriculture, 1350 W. Prairie Drive, Sycamore, and will be a day-long event.

Call the DeKalb County, Ill. Extension office for more information at 815-758-8194.

This farm news was published in the Nov. 22, 2006 issue of Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.