About the Program
Supporting the Concord Grape Juice Industry in the heart of the Lake Erie Grape Belt, running from Erie Count, PA to Niagara County, NY. The belt consists of approximately 31,500 acres run by 580 farms. Our primary focus is on the Concord Juice industry, but we also assist wine grape growers with best practices and methods.
New Vineyard Timeline
Research-based, practical information for growers focusing on viticultural practices.
Guidance includes vineyard site selection and establishment, selection of grape varieties, rootstocks, and training systems, canopy and crop load management, soils, vineyard nutrition and water management, and improving vineyard management efficiency.
Research and Extension Happens Here
The CLEREL farm is home to many research projects aimed to help the juice industry growers to stay competitive and relevant. The Extension teams delivers that information to the growers through education and demonstration.
Research in Action
The Penn State and Cornell Spotted Lanternfly Research team has begun another season of research trials to mitigate potential complications with harvest mechanization. Megan Luke, PSU Extension Educator, Tree Fruit and Viticulture, and Jennifer Phillips Russo, Cornell Senior Viticulture Extension Associate, on the Lake Erie Regional Grape Team have been working tirelessly on this project.
Educating Growers
Grower meetings are held often to educate growers to new practices and industry news.
Research, Extension, Growers, Processors and more!
It takes the industry as a whole working together to make the process efficient. That is what happens here.
