2025 ISPC Sessions
Session Titles, Speakers, & Descriptions are being added as speakers confirm their times.
Select a day
WELCOME
9:00 - 9:30 a.m.
Secretary Mike Naig
VITICULTURE
Randall Vos
Nitrogen in the Vineyard
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Randall Vos
Grapevines in the Midwest are vigorous? This may have been the situation in the past, but over the years many growers have been seeing declining vigor in their vineyards. In this session we’ll look at some of the vineyard tissue samples we took in 2024 and review some of the fruit YAN results from those same locations. We’ll discuss why nitrogen is important in our vines and wines, and review best practices and options for managing nitrogen in the vineyard.
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11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
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Tyler Ackerson & Chuck Crabtree
IWGA Legislative Session: 5-Day Retail Licenses for Wineries: General Guidance and Application Tips
3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Tyler Ackerson & Chuck Crabtree
Join the Iowa Department of Revenue's Alcohol and Tax Compliance Division for a presentation on the new law allowing native manufacturers to have 5-day retail licenses off of their manufacturing premises. The presentation will discuss the details of this new sales opportunity and provide useful tips on how to apply for these licenses. In addition, other frequently asked questions by wineries will also be discussed.
ENOLOGY
$9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Wine Marketing
How to Increase the Value of Your Brand with Strategic Packaging Design
$9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Becca Ritz
+ Are your wine labels competing with the big brands? This session will explore why strategic packaging design is so important in building a strong wine brand. We will dive into elements that increase your perceived value and how consumers select labels. Plus, we will look at examples of successful packages and how to elevate your brand’s value.
Anne Zwink
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Mason Groben
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Bryan Randolph
Can-Do Attitude: Redefining Wine One Can at a Time
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Anne Zwink
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Mason Groben
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Bryan Randolph
This panel explores the growing trend of canned wine, focusing on its impact on the wine industry and consumer behavior. You'll hear from a mobile canning line and 2 wineries that offer canned products, who will discuss production considerations, marketing strategies, challenges, and opportunities that make canned wine a unique and sustainable choice for modern consumers.
Erin Norton
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Sara Pirtle
Dealcoholized Wine
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Erin Norton
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Sara Pirtle
Description coming soon
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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FRUIT
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9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
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Xiaochen Yuan
Fire blight management updates
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Xiaochen Yuan
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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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VEGETABLE
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9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
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Dan Fillius
Sweet corn trial update
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Dan Fillius
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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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BUSINESS/MARKETING
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9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
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Leslie Billings
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11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Leslie Billings
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Becca Ritz, Megan Secor
Social Media Panel: Strategies for Success
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Becca Ritz, Megan Secor
Join us for an interactive panel discussion where you'll learn from industry leaders and connect with fellow professionals. We'll explore the latest trends, best practices, and innovative ideas to help you harness the power of social media for your business.
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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SPECIALTY CROP
Ajay Nair and Suzanne Slack
Assessing the potential of Agrivoltaics for Iowa
9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
Ajay Nair and Suzanne Slack
Description coming soon
Chelsea Harbach
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11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Chelsea Harbach
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Randall Vos
Plant Nutrition: sampling and results
1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
Randall Vos
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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SARE FARMER FORUM
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9:45 - 10:45 a.m.
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Sarah Smith
Grape and wine marketing - TBD
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Sarah Smith
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1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
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3:00 - 4:00 p.m.
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WELCOME
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
VITICULTURE
Andy Farmer
Tips for Maintaining High Yield in the Vineyard; Updates on Select Lesser Known Varieties.
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Andy Farmer
In this session, we will discuss some of the negative impacts that can affect a vineyards’ productivity and some ways to “re-build” vines for greater yield and vine health. This will include actions that can be taken in existing vineyards and ideas for designing and planting a new vineyard that is resilient to difficult years or situations. Topics addressed will include the vascular system of the vine, fungal and bacterial pathogens, weather and farmer related damage, fertility, pruning decisions, vine spacing, designing a workhorse vineyard by variety, and any topics suggested by participants.
We will also discuss a few lesser known varieties including Clarion, L’ Acadie Blanc, Crimson Pearl, Verona and some selections on the horizon.
$11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
From Vine to Wine: Emerging Trends & Strategic Innovations in Winemaking
Combined Session w/Enology
$11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Parker Puchta
+Explore the evolving landscape of the Missouri wine industry, where tradition meets innovation amidst modern challenges. This session will highlight the economic pressures facing vineyards and wineries, including the complexities of maintaining competitive pricing and adapting to consumer spending behaviors. Manage seasonal variations that impact grape yields and quality and learn about the shift toward mechanization driven by labor shortages, enhancing efficiency in operations.
We will also examine the demographic shifts within the consumer base, emphasizing the transition in market focus as Baby Boomers age and younger generations bring different preferences to the forefront. Additionally, a brief overview of navigating market access and advertising laws will be provided, offering insights into strategic marketing and compliance to thrive in today’s dynamic wine market.
Randall Vos
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Dr. Aude Watrelot
What We Learned About Yield Estimation in 2024/Grape and Wine Industry Challenges in the US Midwest: Key Findings and Strategic Priorities for Research, Extension, and Outreach
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Randall Vos
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Dr. Aude Watrelot
Grape supply and demand have equalized and in the last few years, wineries have been requesting more accurate yield estimations from Iowa grape growers to help plan their tank space. In 2024 weekly sampling of 6 vineyards was done to record the growth curve of cold hardy wine grape berries. We’ll review the common methods of estimating yield, and discuss how some unique traits of cold hardy wine grapes can require some adjustments to these common methods of yield estimation.
$2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Characterizing Frontenac Blanc: Vine to Wine, the 2024 Vintage
Combined Session with Enology
$2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Erin Norton/Randall Vos
+Description coming soon
ENOLOGY
Dr. Aude Watrelot
Quality Characteristics of Red Wines Produced by Whole-Cluster Fermentation and Stem Inclusion
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Dr. Aude Watrelot
Description coming soon
$11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
From Vine to Wine: Emerging Trends & Strategic Innovations in Winemaking
Combined Session with Viticulture
$11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Parker Puchta
+Explore the evolving landscape of the Missouri wine industry, where tradition meets innovation amidst modern challenges. This session will highlight the economic pressures facing vineyards and wineries, including the complexities of maintaining competitive pricing and adapting to consumer spending behaviors. Manage seasonal variations that impact grape yields and quality and learn about the shift toward mechanization driven by labor shortages, enhancing efficiency in operations.
We will also examine the demographic shifts within the consumer base, emphasizing the transition in market focus as Baby Boomers age and younger generations bring different preferences to the forefront. Additionally, a brief overview of navigating market access and advertising laws will be provided, offering insights into strategic marketing and compliance to thrive in today’s dynamic wine market.
$1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Optimizing Wine Quality during Stabilization and Bottling Operations
Virtual Session
$1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
is filtered and bottled. Join Denise Gardner, winemaking consultant, as she explains how to optimize fundamental winemaking operations to make bottling easier for your operation. We’ll explore standardizing operational order, especially for pre-bottling stabilization steps, and how mixing up those steps can cause unnecessary work in the cellar. Winemakers will walk away with a clearer idea on how to plan stabilizing and aging operations to optimize wine quality and bottling operations.
Denise Gardner
+Every winemaking step that occurs prior to bottling has an influence on the wine’s post-bottling quality. While many winemakers don’t think about bottling until a few days prior, all of those decisions from the end of fermentation and through to bottling day can affect how easily a wine
is filtered and bottled. Join Denise Gardner, winemaking consultant, as she explains how to optimize fundamental winemaking operations to make bottling easier for your operation. We’ll explore standardizing operational order, especially for pre-bottling stabilization steps, and how mixing up those steps can cause unnecessary work in the cellar. Winemakers will walk away with a clearer idea on how to plan stabilizing and aging operations to optimize wine quality and bottling operations.
$2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Characterizing Frontenac Blanc: Vine to Wine, the 2024 Vintage
Combined Session with Viticulture
$2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Erin Norton/Randall Vos
+Description coming soon
FRUIT
Suzanne Slack
Apple Cultivar and Rootstock Trial Updates
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Suzanne Slack
Description coming soon
Patrick O'Malley
Apple Grafting - TBD
11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Patrick O'Malley
Description coming soon
Bryan & Anastasiia Etchen
Strawberry - TBD
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Bryan & Anastasiia Etchen
Description coming soon
Brooke Dietsch
Neopestalotiopsis on fruit crops, a "new" disease in the Midwest
2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Brooke Dietsch
Description coming soon
VEGETABLE
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9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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Sean Toporek
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11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
Sean Toporek
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1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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Sean Toporek
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
Sean Toporek
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BUSINESS/MARKETING
Panel: Kristy & Bob Walker, Sarah Thompson
Growing Together: Building an Agritourism Network to Boost Community and Business
9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Panel: Kristy & Bob Walker, Sarah Thompson
Discover how nine agricultural businesses joined forces to form a Agri-Cultural Community, a collaborative network with a shared mission: growing agritourism in Johnson County and beyond. This session will share the inspiring story of how these businesses created awareness of local agriculture-based offerings, built a strong support network, and laid the groundwork for statewide expansion. Hear about their first-year accomplishments, including key metrics and success stories, and learn how strategic collaborations have directly benefited each business owner. Attendees will leave with insights and ideas to foster similar partnerships in their own communities.
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11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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Trent Murphy
How to Grow Your Business by Working with your Local Chamber of Commerce
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Trent Murphy
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
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SPECIALTY CROP
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9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
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2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
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SARE FARMER FORUM
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9:30 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
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11:00 - 12:00 p.m.
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