Area Colleges Teaming Up To Improve Wine Education

Three northwest colleges are working together to improve the educational experience for students interested in a wine career.  Trent Ball with Yakima Valley College says they are expanding the classes and courses offered by teaming up with South Seattle College and Wenatchee Valley College.  He told the Washington Ag Network this effort is made possible chiefly by a National Science Foundation grant, which focuses on creating new curriculum.

“Where they’re going to provide some on-line courses in Tasting Room Management, Wine Business Entrepreneurship and Marketing.  And then at Wenatchee Valley College their expertise really lies around Organic Production, Sustainable Agriculture, and they are creating on-line curriculum.”

Ball said this joint effort will benefit students as well as the three colleges.

“That’s a great way to leverage resources.  The state continues to have more challenges from an education point of view and funding, we can’t create brand new programs without enough demand for students, but there still is an opportunity and a need, so this allows us to serve those needs.”

To learn more about the wine program at YVCC:

E-mail: Trent Ball

Visit: Department’s Website

Or call: (509)882-7007

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekradio.com