Login | Become a member
NAPA VALLEY GRAPEGROWERS
  • About Us
    • 50th Anniversary
    • Mission & History
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • Grower of the Year >
      • About the Grower of the Year Award
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Sponsorship
    • Fostering the Next Generation
    • In the News
    • Contact Us
  • Viticulture
    • Growing Season
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Soil Health >
      • Cover Crops
      • Compost
    • Vineyard Development
    • Water & Irrigation >
      • Groundwater Sustainability Plan
  • Environment
    • Air Quality >
      • Agricultural Burning
    • Ag Preserve >
      • Conservation Landscape
    • Climate Resilience >
      • Climate Video Series
      • Modern vs. Fossil CO2
      • Reduce Climate Impact
    • Wildfires
  • Resources
    • Best Practices
    • Directory
    • Grower Resources >
      • Crop Insurance
      • Financial Model
      • Tools for Grape Sales
      • Weather Alert
    • Industry Blog
    • Napa Winegrape Market
    • Podcast
    • Reports & Research >
      • Cost Studies
      • Grape Crush Report
      • Growing Conditions Report
      • Hang Time Study
      • Napa County Crop Report
      • Vineyard Trials
      • Wages & Benefits Survey
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Past Presentations
    • Harvest STOMP®
    • Annual Celebration
    • Ahead of the Curve
  • Members
    • Member Portal
    • How to Join >
      • Growers
      • Vineyard Management Companies
      • Associates
  • Community
    • FOG Blog
    • FAQs
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
    • Your Impact
    • Ways to Give
    • Sip and Support Program
    • Our Growing Community
  • About Us
    • 50th Anniversary
    • Mission & History
    • Board of Directors
    • Our Team
    • Grower of the Year >
      • About the Grower of the Year Award
    • Lifetime Achievement Award
    • Sponsorship
    • Fostering the Next Generation
    • In the News
    • Contact Us
  • Viticulture
    • Growing Season
    • Pests & Diseases
    • Soil Health >
      • Cover Crops
      • Compost
    • Vineyard Development
    • Water & Irrigation >
      • Groundwater Sustainability Plan
  • Environment
    • Air Quality >
      • Agricultural Burning
    • Ag Preserve >
      • Conservation Landscape
    • Climate Resilience >
      • Climate Video Series
      • Modern vs. Fossil CO2
      • Reduce Climate Impact
    • Wildfires
  • Resources
    • Best Practices
    • Directory
    • Grower Resources >
      • Crop Insurance
      • Financial Model
      • Tools for Grape Sales
      • Weather Alert
    • Industry Blog
    • Napa Winegrape Market
    • Podcast
    • Reports & Research >
      • Cost Studies
      • Grape Crush Report
      • Growing Conditions Report
      • Hang Time Study
      • Napa County Crop Report
      • Vineyard Trials
      • Wages & Benefits Survey
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • Past Presentations
    • Harvest STOMP®
    • Annual Celebration
    • Ahead of the Curve
  • Members
    • Member Portal
    • How to Join >
      • Growers
      • Vineyard Management Companies
      • Associates
  • Community
    • FOG Blog
    • FAQs
  • Donate
    • Our Donors
    • Your Impact
    • Ways to Give
    • Sip and Support Program
    • Our Growing Community

Industry Updates Blog

Fields of Opportunity Developing the Next Generation for the Napa Valley Wine Industry

11/17/2021

0 Comments

 
​The Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program was created by the Napa Valley Farmworker Foundation (FWF) and the Napa Valley Grapegrowers (NVG) to prepare Napa County high school students for careers in our world class wine industry.  During the 8-week program, students gain first-class industry experience and develop professional skills in hospitality, wine production, grape growing, human resources, and accounting, with some of the world’s most forward-thinking wine producers.

Through the FWF and NVG’s ongoing partnership with the Napa Valley Unified School District (NVUSD), the program is promoted to high school students from a range of backgrounds. To apply, students must be 16 years or older, able to commit to an 8-week program, have interest in learning about a career in the wine industry, and a positive attitude and willingness to learn new skills. All applicants are put through an interview process, with priority extending to students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. When selected, students are placed with an employer mentor, and receive a soft skill workshop schedule covering topics, such as: financial literacy; mental health; resume writing; professional networking on social media; history of the Napa Valley; leadership stories and lessons; and goal setting.

Montserrat Granados, a student from the 2021 graduating class, said about her Fields of Opportunity experience, "I liked working outside, especially in the mornings. We did things like collect sugar samples or scouted for pests. Before this summer, I wasn't thinking about a job in this field, but now after working at Hall Wines under viticulturist Sarah Lansing, I am considering working in the wine industry.”  For Montserrat, the program left a lasting impression.

The large number of qualified applicants is a positive challenge; creating opportunity for more employer mentors to get involved. In 2021, for example, FWF and NVG initially planned to place 16 students with employer mentors. When 80 student applications were received, additional outreach was made to employers; in the end, 23 students were placed, all of whom completed the program. 

In 2022, the organizations hope to double student placements with support from new employer mentors who want to impact a young life by introducing them to the wine industry and sharing their passion for the field.

Past employers included many of Napa’s most recognized wineries and vineyard management companies such as: Foley Family Wines; Hall Wines; Hudson Ranch, Jericho Canyon Vineyards; Larkmead Vineyards; Napa Wine Company; Opus One; Pine Ridge Vineyards; Renteria Vineyard Management; Tres Sabores; V. Sattui Winery; Viader Vineyards & Winery; Walsh Vineyards Management; and Yount Mill Vineyards.

“Over the past 4 years, Napa Wine Company and Yount Mill Vineyards have thoroughly enjoyed supporting the Fields of Opportunity program through mentorship.  We feel it is crucial to support the next generation because they represent the future of our local community,” said Kendall Hoxsey-Onysko, business manager for Napa Wine Company and Yount Mill Vineyards.  “It goes both ways, though, through mentorship we learn how to continually hone our management skills, which reinvigorates our love for the business itself.”

“We highly recommend every business in Napa Valley participate as mentors for the Fields of Opportunity program.”

The Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program has begun outreach to employer mentors for the 2022 program, which will be held June 20 - August 5.  If you are interested in joining as an employer mentor, learn more here or email Jill Durfee, Farmworker Foundation Program Manager, at [email protected]. 

For press inquiries related to the Patrick Foley Fields of Opportunity Summer Mentor Program, please email Caroline Keller, NVG Marketing Manager, at [email protected].
0 Comments

    Categories

    All
    50 Years
    Climate
    Environment
    Grape Market
    Growing Season
    News
    Next Gen
    Pest & Disease
    Podcast
    Program Recap
    Viticulture
    Water
    Wildfires

    RSS Feed

    Podcast

    Picture
    Picture

    Archives

    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    June 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021

Trade Resources: Speakers | Press | Sponsors
​
Copyright Napa Valley Grapegrowers.  All Rights Reserved.

831 Latour Court, Suite A  |  Napa, CA 94558
Phone: (707) 944-8311 | [email protected]
Privacy Policy | Sitemap | All header images © Sarah Anne Risk
Napa Valley Grapegrowers is a 501(c)3 public charity. Our federal tax ID number is # 82-2012860

Sign-up for our community newsletter

​Subscribe to Friends of the Grapegrowers (FOG) to receive exclusive updates, educational workshops, vineyard tours, special events, and a quarterly newsletter with insights into Napa Valley grape-growing, sustainability, climate initiatives, and the latest trends in viticulture.
Subscribe
Picture
Picture
Picture
Strategic Partner