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By ASU News Center
The Appalachian Center for Mountain Winegrowing at Appalachian
State University has received a $9,500 grant from the North
Carolina Wine and Grape Council (NCWGC) to study soil erosion
control as it relates to steep slope vineyards.
This is the first grant awarded by the NCWGC that focuses
on mountain winegrowing.
The Appalachian Center for Mountain Winegrowing (ACMW) staff
will evaluate two methods of under-row soil erosion control:
cover crops and erosion control blankets.
ACMW researchers will use the results of the study to provide
growers new tools to help minimize soil erosion on steep slopes
and develop erosion control testing protocols for evaluating
other steep slope erosion control options in the future.
Due to a decrease in available agricultural land at lower
elevations, vineyards are increasingly being planted at higher
elevations and on steeper slopes. The hope is that this research
will lead to more sustainable vineyard practices as the mountain
winegrowing industry grows to meet these changing needs.
For additional information, contact ACMW director Norm Oches
at 828-262-8648 or ochesnl@appstate.edu.
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