Monitoring weather is vital for effective plant disease and insect pest management. Ohio grape growers can apply to receive support to purchase and install an on-site weather station. Access to a weather station will allow growers to monitor weather conditions (e.g. temperature, rain, wind speed and direction, leaf wetness, and solar radiation) in their vineyard in real-time; use the integrated pest management (IPM tools) available through the network for environment and weather applications (NEWA); improve fungicide and insecticide application timing; and provide vineyard specific data to regulators in the case of herbicide drift injury.
A grant reimbursement program for the purchase and installation of a weather station compatible with NEWA is now open. This grant program was initiated by the OSU Fruit Pathology and Specialty Crop Entomology programs and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC). The program will cover up to 60% or a maximum of $850 towards the base price of a weather station starter kit that is compatible with NEWA from KestrelMet or HOBO. Approved growers are responsible for shipping fees, cellular or Wi-Fi charges, the cost of sensors or other add-ons that are not included in the starter kit and maintain the weather station at the end of the funding period. To qualify for the grant program approved growers must meet the following requirements:
- Vineyard must be located in Ohio.
- Weather station must be connected to NEWA (newa.cornell.edu).
- Weather station data must be publicly available through the NEWA website.
- Proof of purchase and delivery is required.
- A grower feedback survey must be completed.
Once all requirements have been met the approved grower will assume ownership of the weather station.Additional program guidelines can be found here: OSU-OGIC Weather station Grant Program Guidelines
For more information on the cost share program please contact Christy Eckstein at christy.eckstein@agri.ohio.gov
For more information on selecting a weather station and onboarding to NEWA please contact Melanie Lewis Ivey at ivey.14@osu.edu.