Paul Blackshaw, Vanessa Hood, Rosie Hannah, Megan Hill, Sally Dickinson, Angie Grills and John Whiting.

Preferred presentation format: Poster

Affiliation(s): Department of Primary Industries, Victoria

Title: Paul Blackshaw Position: Grapecheque Facilitator Organisation: Department of Primary Industries, Victoria Contact email: paul.blackshaw@dpi.vic.gov.au Contact phone: 02 6030 4500

Keywords: evaluation, phone surveys, practice change, viticulture

Grapecheque is a Victorian viticulture extension program, funded through the Department of Primary Industries and the viticulture industry. The program helps grape growers make informed decisions about their businesses through seminars, vineyard walks and study tours. The aim is to not only provide information on new and existing technologies, but to also help growers think about practical ways of implementing them. Expert presenters deliver information on various subjects, but there is also a strong emphasis on learning from other growers.

An evaluation of the Grapecheque program was conducted, to demonstrate the impact of the program on the viticultural practices of grape growers in Victoria over the past 3 years (2000-2003).

Quantitative data was obtained through a phone survey of approximately 300 grape growers, randomly selected from across Victoria. Participants included growers who attend Grapecheque as well as those who don’t take part. The survey showed that Grapecheque has a positive impact on the viticultural practices used by growers. The results of this survey were also compared with the results of a similar survey conducted in 2000. This showed that Grapecheque has a positive impact on the practice change and uptake of new technology of growers.

The evaluation data will be displayed on the poster to be presented at the APEN Forum in November 2003.

Key learning points:

• Grapecheque is a group based extension program for grape growers in Victoria.
• A phone survey was recently conducted to help measure the impact of Grapecheque.
• Results of analysis of this data, which suggest that Grapecheque has a positive impact on the viticultural practices used by participants, will be presented.