LAEP Helping Farmers and Farm Workers

The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers’ Latino Ag Education Program continues to see growth and the current class has record numbers of women learning.

Executive Director of WAWGG Vicky Scharlau says they modeled much of the program after a similar one by the tree fruit industry and that she wants to, “Give them an opportunity to really understand not just how to do something in the vineyard but why we do it and why those changes actually impact the quality of the wine on the other end.”

And women are taking advantage of that opportunity to learn how to better their skillset and advance in their jobs.

Scharlau says that regardless of gender or age, the students walk out impacted.

“Any additional education of anyone; you have a higher degree of respect for yourself and you also have a different skillset that you can apply, especially when it comes to  management or supervisory skills.”

Scharlau says the only thing holding the program back from expansion is lack of awareness and difficulties getting instructors.

For more information, visit wawgg.org.

If you have a story idea for the Washington Ag Network, call (590) 547-1618, or e-mail krounce@cherrycreekradio.com.