Ridge Road Vineyard to Host Summer Twilight Meeting
The University of Illinois Extension is teaming up with area farmers to provide four evening "twilight meetings" to highlight and demonstrate diverse farming enterprises across southern Illinois. Anyone involved or interested in local food production is encouraged and invited to attend.
Darrell Thurston of Ridge Road Vineyard, Pulaski, Illinois says he is excited to be hosting our second twilight meeting on Monday, June 15 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Ridge Road Vineyard, 1653 Ridge Road, Pulaski, Illinois, 62976. Thurston says he always enjoyed growing fruits and vegetables, and several years ago, he decided to expand on a commercial scale with blackberries and wine grapes. Sitting on top of a ridge, his farm is well suited for the over four acres he has in production. Thurston sells his products on the wholesale market as well as direct-marketing to customers at area farmer's markets.
Thurston will discuss his production practices for both wine grapes and blackberries. Elizabeth Wahle, Extension Educator, and Jeff Kindhart, Senior Research Specialist, University of Illinois, will provide additional information on wine grape and blackberry management. Thurston will also share his challenges and successes with marketing both wine grapes and blackberries into wholesale and retail markets, as well as demonstrate his outdoor packing system during blackberry harvest.
To get to Ridge Road Vineyard from Ullin, head south on old highway 51 to Pulaski. At the south edge of Pulaski turn left (east) on to Rose Hill Drive. Continue on Rose Hill Dr. (turns into Ridge Road) for approximately 2.5 miles to the vineyard.
This program is provided at no cost but pre-registration is required. Please register online at https://web.extension.illinois.edu/registration/?RegistrationID=12516 or by calling (618) 382-2662 no later than June 12, 2015. For more information about the Twilight Meeting contact Bronwyn Aly at baly@illinois.edu, (618) 382-2662 or Nathan Johanning at njohann@illinois.edu, (618) 687-1727.
If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this program, please contact our office at least two weeks prior to the event.