NGRA proudly supports the National Viticulture and Enology Leadership Community (NVEELC). It gathers viticulture and enology extension and industry (non-sales) outreach specialists for professional development, best-practice sharing, research and regional reports, collaboration and dialogue on the unique challenges in V&E extension. The goal? To lift up, connect and support the important extension function for the American grape and wine industry.
Save the Date!
NVEELC Conference 2026:
Meeting Stakeholders Where They Are
April 20-22, 2026 | San Antonio, TX
Hosted by the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service
With the theme, “Meeting Stakeholders Where They Are,” here’s how the program will help V&E extension and outreach professionals sit tall in the saddle:
♦ Circle the wagons and ride (the bus) from San Antonio to Fredericksburg on a full-day industry tour where we’ll visit three to four pioneering vineyards and wineries that are winning new consumers with creative winemaking, packaging and programs that break the traditional mold.
♦ Learn to two-step your way to maintaining relevance and delivering impact for industry stakeholders in these challenging times. This special professional development session will include discussions around new communication tools to consider incorporating into your own extension or outreach program.
♦ Whoa there, pardner! Get ready to share in a unique environment of networking with colleagues from across the country, sharing best practices and opportunities for collaboration with a side of southern hospitality. Whether you’re a greenhorn or an ol’ cowpoke, we can all work together to meet our stakeholders where they are.
Complete details and event registration are coming soon.
In the meantime, hang your hat on these dates!
Event updates will be emailed to the NVEELC community. If you’re not on the list, sign up now!
All V&E extension and industry (non-sales) outreach specialists, and NGRA members are welcome.
NVEELC Organizing Committee
A subcommittee of the NGRA Extension & Outreach Committee
Justin Scheiner, Texas A&M University, Chair
Karen Block, UC Davis
Michael Cook, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Sarah Lowder, University of Georgia
Charlotte Oliver, Colorado State University
Renee Threlfall, University of Arkansas
Tian Tian, University of California Cooperative Extension
Industry Advisors
Keith Striegler, NGRA Extension & Outreach Committee Chair (GALLO)
Rich Schaefers, NGRA Board Chair (Nuveen Natural Capital)
Donnell Brown, NGRA President
About NVEELC
With support from NGRA, the National Viticulture and Enology Leadership Community (NVEELC) grew from a grassroots effort of wine, juice, table and raisin grape extension and outreach professionals working within and outside of traditional cooperative extension. This unique community of practice offers professional development, opportunities to share research and regional reports and best-practices, and fosters collaboration and dialogue, helping viticulture and enology extension professionals stay apprised of industry challenges across the country. In-person conferences are organized and hosted by an extension team in a different grape grape-growing region every other year and include tours of vineyards, labs and other local viticulture and enology research and extension assets.
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