Skip Navigation

Advisory Board

In early 2007, an advisory board was established for the Midwest Grape and Wine Industry Institute. The role of the board is to serve as an advisory panel to the director. The board’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to: advise the director on establishing program (research, education, outreach and service) priorities; provide input in work planning; advise on structure of operations, policies and procedures; assist in fund raising and budget allocations; and assist with program evaluation.

The board includes representatives from Iowa State University and other educational institutions, Iowa grape and wine industry members,  the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship the Iowa Department of Economic Development.

Officers are elected annually.

Board members include:

Dave Cushman, Jr., President, Iowa Wine Growers Association; Winemaker for Park Farm Winery, Bankston, IA

William Brown, Owner, Timberhill Winery, Leon, IA

Dr. Robert Denson, President, Des Moines Area Community College, Ankeny, IA

Dr. Jerald R. DeWitt, Director of the ISU Leopold Center, Ames, IA

Dr. Jeffery Iles, Chair, ISU Horticulture Department, Ames, IA

Dr. Ruth MacDonald, Chair, ISU Food Science & Human Nutrition, Ames, IA

Dr. Gerald Miller, ISU Associate Dean, Agriculture Experiment Station, Ames, IA

Bill Northey, Secretary of Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Des Moines, IA

LuAnn Reinders, Iowa Department of Economic Development, Des Moines, IA
 
Sharman Wersen, Director of the Iowa Wine Commission and owner, Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA

Craig Tordsen, ISU Extension Program Specialist, Ames, IA

Bob Wersen, Owner, Tassel Ridge Winery, Leighton, IA

Michael L. White, ISU Extension Field Specialist, Indianola, IA 


Upcoming Advisory Board Meetings:


January 12, 2010 (Tuesday), 3-5 pm
April 22, 2010 (Thursday), 10-12 am
at Interpower Corporation, 2900 SE 5th, Ames, Iowa