WAWGG Introspection

WAWGG Introspection. I’m Greg Martin with today’s Fruit Grower Report.

Have you ever asked the question, Do I matter? The Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers is essentially asking that question and have hired Kimberley Keeton, a Master student at the University of Washington to find the answer.

KEETON: I’m working with Vicky on a project that involves doing an organizational assessment for WAWGG. Really looking at their environment both internally and externally. So having an understanding of the Washington wine industry and a sense of where it’s going, fast growth. Really what the priorities are for the major players in the industry here.

She spent a lot of time at the recent annual meeting talking with WAWGG members.

KEETON: Getting a sense of whether they feel that their needs are being met by WAWGG and if not, where are they going for those resources they need so essentially it’s stakeholder analysis, really talking to those who are involved in the industry and of course WAWGG members include both growers and winery side so it’s been an interesting process just talking to as many people as I can.

Keeton says a lot of what she is hearing has been positive.

KEETON: I’ve heard a lot of talk about the education and trainings that WAWGG provides and that really makes them stand out in the industry as providing a very valuable service and probably being a huge force behind the industries growth I would say in the past few years so lots of good things.

Keeton hope to have her research done in a couple of months and then submit her report back to WAWGG.

That’s today’s Fruit Grower Report. I’m Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network.