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Inclement weather doesn't keep a good alum down! More than 50 alumni joined Executive Dean Robert M. Goodman on a tour of the G. H. Cook Campus on Saturday, May 14.

The first stop on the tour was to the Equine Science Center to see the world renowned equine exercise physiology lab (aka equine high speed treadmill) demonstration. Dr. Karyn Malinowski and Dr. Kenneth McKeever explained this unique and fascinating visual display of the research being done to advance the well-being and performance of horses.

The group boarded the bus for the short drive to the Rutgers Gardens for a tour of the beautiful and unusual garden collections including the American Hollies, conducted by Bruce Crawford, director of the Rutgers Gardens.  Dr. Rachael Winfree, assistant professor in the Department of Entomology, presented her research on Pollinators, this year's theme at the Gardens.

The tour was followed by a reception in the Log Cabin, which had been transformed into an elegant and cozy gathering place for tastings of local New Jersey wines and delicacies.  Also on display at the Log Cabin and Alumni Pavilion were extraordinary insect and history exhibits from the Rutgers Entomological Museum.

Who knew when you registered for a Discovery Tour that you would be put to work!  Well, it wasn't really work, but a chance to learn something valuable that you could take away and apply in everyday life.

A very enthusiastic group of amateur vintners, hobby winemakers, and people just plain interested in the wine industry joined the Office of Community Engagement at the Rutgers Agricultural Research and Extension Farm on a warm, sunny day in May to learn from the experts how to prune grapevines for maximum production and flavor, and how the New Jersey wine industry is growing and prospering with the help of Rutgers scientists. 

After a brief introduction, we boarded a wagon for the short ride to the vineyard, where Dan Ward, assistant extension specialist, and Jack Rabin, associate director of the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station, explained the importance of proper pruning and watering to grow strong vines and produce great wine.  "Stress my vines, but don't kill them!" says Dan as he demonstrates the proper, sometimes aggressive, pruning techniques to thin new vine growth and allow maximum sun and air exposure to the strongest shoots.  Many were hesitant at first to take such a drastic approach to the vines, but after some encouragement from Dan, everyone donned their gloves and went to work.  Many hands make light work, so the pruning of the Chambourcin vines was expertly completed in no time.

After our introduction to the art of vertical shoot positioning, we boarded the wagon for a tour of the farm property.  We were welcomed back to the facility by Jim Quarella from Bellview Winery who provided an enlightening look into the New Jersey wine industry, followed by a tasting of select varieties from his vineyard.  Everyone received a souvenir wine glass, enjoyed lunch and camaraderie, and left feeling very proud of their state university.