Andrew Harner appointed viticulture specialist

Andrew Harner was recently appointed as an assistant professor of viticulture at the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences' Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

Harner's research has extensively focused on the physiological and chemical responses of grapevines to various stimuli. His work, particularly on the interaction between grapevines and the invasive spotted lanternfly, shows potential impact on wine grape quality and vineyard management strategies.

In his new role, Harner, also a Virginia Cooperative Extension specialist, will develop a nationally recognized research and Extension program centered on wine grapes, with opportunities to explore table grape and small fruit research.

His academic endeavors and prior achievements, including multiple awards for his presentations and significant scholarships, highlight his commitment to advancing viticulture through both innovative research and dedicated teaching.

Harner answered some questions about why he joined Virginia Tech and the Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center:

Why Virginia Tech, School of Plant and Environmental Sciences, and Virginia Cooperative Extension?

All of my past academic experiences have been with land-grant institutions that have active cooperative extension agencies (first Cornell University, where I did my undergraduate studies, and then Penn State, where I did my M.S. and Ph.D.), and I've always been drawn to the importance that these universities have placed on public engagement and service.

I wanted to stay within this network and perform research in partnership with growers and industry members that could address their needs and concerns, while using the university's resources to advance our understanding of grapevine biology and physiology.

Virginia Tech and Virginia Cooperative Extension have a long history of supporting the grape and wine industries in Virginia and throughout the eastern U.S., and I wanted to help continue that involvement and engagement while still being part of a larger, plant-based research community. Being a faculty member in the School of Plant and Environmental Sciences and also an Extension specialist was an opportunity to do just that.

What are you looking forward to about your role?

I'm looking forward to having the opportunity to travel throughout Virginia and begin meeting grape growers in different parts of the state. Virginia is a large state with a wide variation in growing conditions, and because of that, growers can grow a range of different grapevine varieties and use different growing practices. I'm particularly excited to see these in person and explore all that the industry has to offer.

What inspires you in this field?

Despite grapevines and wine grapes being studied around the world for a long time, there is still so much that we don't know. There are over 10,000 known varieties of cultivated grapevines, with many grapevine species that we know so little about. When thinking about potential research questions and projects, we often have the opportunity to address important questions that are relevant for the industry while continuing to dig deeper into the many things that we still don't know.