Washington State University -- Impact 2004
New Funding Supports Growth of Washington's Wine IndustrySUMMARY
- Thanks to $2.3 million in funding provided by the Washington State Legislature in 2003, Washington State University is working in concert with Yakima Valley Community College, Walla Wall Community College and Wenatchee Valley College to create new 2-year and 4-yeard degree programs to support the educational needs of the state's rapidly expanding wine industry.
ISSUE
- Washington's rapidly expanding wine industry has been a bright spot in the state's economy. Production of wine grapes has more than doubled over the past decade making wine grapes the state's fourth largest fruit crop. The state now boasts more than 250 wineries and the industry's total value to the state's economy is estimated to be about $2.4 billion. As welcome as growth has been, wine grape growers and wineries have struggled to find and keep qualified employees. A 2001 survey of Northwest vineyards and wineries found that existing Washington vineyards anticipate a need for 37 to 141 managers and viticulturists over the next five years. These positions usually are filled by individuals with four-year college degrees. The survey also found that vineyards would need between 50 to 205 crew supervisors during the same period. These individuals normally have a community college level of training. Pacific Northwest wineries are expected to need 47 to 56 management-level employees over the next five years. These positions are normally filled by people with four-year degrees.
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
- Ray Folwell, professor of agricultural and resource economics, was appointed director of WSU's viticulture and enology program. Five new faculty are being hired and new courses are being developed. Articulation agreements have been worked out to provide a seamless transfer of students from Yakima Valley Community College and Walla Walla Community College to Washington State University to enable the students to complete a four-year degree in viticulture or enology.
IMPACT
- The efforts are expected to help state's wine industry projects fill a need for 4,700 more employees across the state by 2006.
PRIMARY AREA OF IMPACT
- Teaching
FUNDING:
- Washington Wine Institute
State
COUNTIES:
- The principal counties served are Benton, Chelan, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Walla Walla, Yakima
CONTACT:
- None