The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and Cornell University's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on June 26 for a new state-of-the-art USDA grape research facility on the Cornell AgriTech campus.

The over 70,000 square foot facility will be named the National Grape Improvement Center and will house the ARS Grape Genetics Research Unit and ARS Plant Genetic Resources Unit. In addition, four Cornell grapevine research projects will move into the research facility.

"Ag research conducted by USDA and Cornell University will both enhance U.S. grape production and ensure farmers are better able to fight the impacts of climate change," said Agriculture Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.

ARS and university employees will focus on research to advance grape production through interdisciplinary research, breeding and technology transfer. Their work will aim to enhance grape production efficiency, profitability and sustainability for the United States grape industry.

Source:  USDA June 26, 2024 news release