NGWI works with a number of research partners throughout the US and this month we are highlighting work that has been conducted on the NGWI supported Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI) project, New Detection, Research and Extension Tools for Managing Wood-Canker Diseases of Fruit and Nut Crops. The project is being  lead by Drs. Kenda Baumgartner (ARS) and Themis Michailides (UC Davis-Kearney in Parlier), they have pulled together a trans-disciplinary team to develop diagnostic tools and eventually, measures to reduce the impact of diseases including Eutypa and Botryosphaeria.The project has numerous facets including development of new detection tools, investigating disease resistance, development of new extension tools to adopt preventative practices and an economics piece for assistance in decision making about implementation of practices or treatment measures.

The National Grape & Wine Initiative is a 501 (c)(3) research foundation working collaboratively with all sectors of the grape industries - table, raisin, juice and wine - from throughout the US to drive critical research and technological advancements forward. NGWI is the only national all grape organization working in this manner and seeks to be the convener of the grape, research, academic, extension and funding communities to ensure mutual success. NGWI's work has succeeded in developing and promoting research projects that cannot be actualized by any one sector or region, but rather brings the collective and collaborative work of the entire grape industry together to achieve. It also identifies needed funding support, including cash and in-kind contributions from the industry which are leveraged to gain significant state and federal research grants. Since 2008, nearly $30 million in grants have been awarded to grape projects with which NGWI is associated. Please consider joining and supporting the success of the industry by contacting the NGWI office at 916.446.3900 or by e-mailing Camron King, President at cking@ngwi.org.