Yesterday the Rotary GSE Team from Italy toured the Experiment Station and Journagan Ranch. Led by Cathy Smith and Joe Beltz, both of Mountain View, the group included Sergio Sernia, Giuseppe Lombardi, Alberto Argentiero, Felice Leone and Chiara Valente – all from the “bootheel” of southern Italy and all interested in agriculture. Chiara is a winemaker for Cantina Colli Romagnoli (Emilia Romagna, Italy).

Dr. Anson Elliott welcomed the group and introduced our faculty and staff. Afterward, the group toured the grape genomics lab, the Mountain Grove Cellars winery and distillery, and the field and research area. Dr. Elliott, Dr. Hwang and Susanne Howard then drove the group down to the Journagan Ranch to have an authentic Ozark meal at Big Ed’s. Mr. Marty Lueck, ranch foreman, led the tour of the ranch featuring polled Hereford Cattle.