Washington Winegrowers Association, in partnership with Wenatchee Valley College and Yakima Valley College, announced registration is now open for Levels 1 and 3 in the Latino Agriculture Education for Viticulture Program.

Classes will be held each Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Yakima Valley College Grandview Campus beginning Nov. 8 through March 21, 2025.

Level 1 — Introduction to Viticulture
Level 1 is designed to educate students on the principles and practices of wine grape production and give students an understanding of the science behind the different wine grape production practices applied through a full growing season on commercial vineyards in Washington state. Topics include: plant science, plant nutrition, soils, site selection and vineyard establishment, irrigation scheduling and management, fruit set and crop load management, fruit maturation, harvest planning and management, pruning and pest control programs — all supported with current technologies and hands-on practices.

Level 3 – Vineyard Management/Integrated Pest Management
Level 3 offers intensive technical training, equipping participants for midlevel management and leadership positions. Participants will understand advanced pest management techniques and insights into vineyard economics and vineyard operations, including budgeting, personnel management and marketing.

Both programs are taught primarily in Spanish while integrating basic English terminology.

Registration will be open through September. A minimum of 15 students is required.

For more information, go to: wawinegrowers.org/laep-program.

—by Jonelle Mejica