Workshops
10-Week Courses
Vine Physiology
DATE: Mondays, January 5-March 21, 2026 | 2-4:50 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $500
This course provides a comprehensive foundation in grapevine biology. Students will explore the tissues of grapevines and how they originate at meristems, learn to draw basic plant cell types and understand how they are arranged within roots, shoots, leaves, and fruit. The class covers the annual growth cycle of grapevines and how transpiration and translocation move water, sugars, and nutrients throughout the plant. Additional topics include flowering, fruit development, and ripening, the dynamics between scion and rootstock in grafted vines, and how grapevine growth patterns inform effective vineyard canopy management strategies. View the full course description.
Spanish in the Vineyard
DATE: Tuesdays, January 6 – March 17, 2026 | 6-9 pm
LOCATION: Chemeketa Yamhill Valley Campus, Room 101, 288 NE Norton Ln, McMinnville
COST: $350
This course introduces the practical use of Spanish in vineyard environments, emphasizing why Spanish is an essential tool for effective communication in vineyard operations. Students will learn to use basic commands, questions, and work-related phrases in Spanish, while also developing the ability to understand clearly spoken Spanish and respond appropriately in job-specific contexts. View the full course description here.
Spur Pruning Workshop
ENGLISH INSTRUCTION – January 9, 2026 | 8 am – 12 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $50
Join us for a hands-on, vineyard-focused workshop designed to teach the fundamentals of Spur Pruning, an affordable and practical method for managing grapevine growth. Participants will learn how to identify key structures on the vine, choose productive spurs, make proper pruning cuts, and set up vines for balanced, healthy growth in the coming season. As winegrape growers are watching their budgets; spur pruning can save 20-35% on hand-pruning cost, giving growers an upper hand in a challenging sales environment.
Farm Finance Basics Series
DATE: January 10, 17, 24, 31, February 7, 14, 21, 2026 | 9 am – Noon
LOCATION: Chemeketa Salem Campus, Building 60, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem
COST: Free
Developed for people who are actively involved in a farm business or planning to be, this series of topics will tackle and untangle the financial side of farming. Learn with and from your fellow classmates as your instructor and industry professionals walk you through case studies and your own business information.
Questions: ag@chemeketa.edu
Oregon Pruning School Guyot 2026 (Simonit&Sirch Vine Master Pruners Academy)
DATE: January 22-23, 2026 | 8:30 am-4:30 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 1, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $650
Simonit&Sirch tutors will guide you in the application of pruning techniques to safeguard the health, longevity and sustainability of your vines and your vineyard. The four basic principles of Simonit&Sirch pruning, applied to Guyot, will be explored: respecting sap flow, controlling branching, reducing the number of wounds and making small pruning cuts.
Understanding Farm Contracts
DATE: January 28, 2026 | 10:30 am
LOCATION: Chemeketa Salem Campus, Building 60, 4000 Lancaster Dr NE, Salem
COST: $10
Join Matt Sturzen, attorney at Sherman Sherman Johnni & Hoyt, LLP, as he walks through what he wished people knew about farm contracts. This workshop will focus on easements, leases, and other person-to-person contracts.
Questions: ag@chemeketa.edu
Building an Organic Vineyard Spray Program
SPANISH INSTRUCTION – March 13, 2026, | 8 am – Noon
ENGLISH INSTRUCTION – March 20, 2026 | 8 am – Noon
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $75
Explore how plant diseases develop by looking at the relationship between the pathogen, the plant, and the environment. Learn why canopy management and timing are key to effective disease control, and get hands-on practice identifying powdery mildew in the vineyard. The instructor will also break down common organic spray products, compare their effectiveness, and discuss how to choose the right organic spray program for your vineyard.
Sprayer Calibration Workshop
SPANISH INSTRUCTION – March 13, 2026 | 1 – 5 pm
ENGLISH IN STRUCTION – March 20, 2026 | 1 -5 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $50
OPTIONAL: PESTICIDE CONTINUTING EDUCATION CREDITS (4) THROUGH ODA
Learn the fundamentals of properly calibrating sprayers for commercial vineyards. In this hands-on session, you’ll walk through the key calculations for air blast sprayers with a strong focus on accuracy and safety. You’ll practice determining tractor speed, observing spray patterns and pressure, and evaluating overall spray coverage. The class will also cover how to calculate total and actual nozzle output, sprayer volume delivery, and area coverage and how to safely and correctly prepare a spray mixture.
Organic and Biodynamic Viticulture
DATE: Tuesdays, March 31-June 9, 2026 | 2-4:50 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $500
This course covers the principles, practices, and certification processes of organic and biodynamic viticulture systems. It investigates both the theoretical foundations and the applied, integrated approaches used in vineyards managed under these systems. Students will develop planning and decision-making skills essential for implementing organic and biodynamic viticulture, and the course concludes with a review of certification requirements and conversion processes. View the full course description.
Vineyard Nutrition and Irrigation Management
DATE: Wednesdays, April 1-June 10, 2026 | 2-4:50 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $500
This course introduces the basic principles of soil science, with an emphasis on grapevine mineral nutrition and the relationship between water and soils. It also covers methods of soil conservation and strategies for soil improvement. View the full course description.
Vineyard Pest Management
DATE: Wednesdays, April 1-June 10, 2026 | 5-7:50 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $500
This course covers the identification and management of all major pests, diseases, and weeds found in vineyard systems. It develops students’ skills in pest monitoring and decision-making for effective vineyard management. The course also investigates integrated pest management strategies, including cultural, biological, chemical, and other control methods, and concludes with a review of relevant pest management regulations. View the full course description.
Wine Appreciation: Sip, Savor, and Discover
DATES: Thursdays, April 2-June 11, 2026, | 5-8 pm
LOCATION: Chemeketa Yamhill Valley Campus, Building 1, Room 105, 288 NE Norton Lane, McMinnville
COST: $150
Welcome to an exclusive Wine Appreciation Class—your gateway to mastering the art of wine. Spanning ten delightful Thursday evenings, this course offers an adventure in every glass, featuring the opportunity to experience 100 wines for just $350. Throughout the class, students will explore grape varieties from regions as diverse as the rolling hills of Italy and the vibrant landscapes of California. They will learn about different wine types and styles, including red, white, rosé, and sparkling, and develop the sensory skills needed to distinguish and appreciate a wide range of wines. By the end, participants will have strengthened their sensory evaluation abilities and cultivated a connoisseur’s palate and nose. View the full course description.
Pest ID & Scouting
ENGLISH INSTRUCTION – June 12, 2026 – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT
SPANISH INSTRUCTION – June 13, 2026 | 8 am – 12 pm – CANCELLED DUE TO LOW ENROLLMENT
This non-credit training gives you practical skills to prevent, spot, and manage pests and diseases in agricultural crops. You’ll learn how to identify and address common issues such as powdery mildew, botrytis, viruses, rust and blister mites, and mealybugs. The class will cover effective scouting techniques, pest and disease lifecycles, and when to scout, as well as how to gauge population or damage thresholds and decide when and what type of intervention is needed.
Vineyard Crop Estimation
ENGLISH INSTRUCTION – July 17, 2026 | 8 am – 12 pm
SPANISH INSTRUCTION – July 18, 2026 | 8 am – 12 pm
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $50
This half-day workshop walks you through the essential calculations and techniques used for crop estimation in commercial vineyards. You’ll learn when to take lag-phase measurements, how to demonstrate proper sampling methods for accurate estimates, and how to perform the calculations needed to project your expected harvest yield.
Forklift Training
June 2026 – Date TBD
LOCATION: Northwest Wine Studies, Center – Building 2, 215 Doaks Ferry Rd NW, Salem
COST: $50
This introductory forklift training class teaches participants how to operate a forklift safely and confidently. The course covers essential skills such as equipment inspection, starting and maneuvering the forklift, lifting and placing loads, and working safely around others. You’ll learn key safety practices, basic maintenance checks, and how to recognize potential hazards in the workplace. By the end, participants will be prepared to operate a forklift responsibly and meet the basic requirements for entry-level forklift use.
