ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 10, 2008

WEBSITE LISTS NORTH DAKOTA VINEYARD LOCATIONS

BISMARCK – Pesticide applicators should consult the North Dakota Department of Agriculture (NDDA) website to avoid spraying vineyards.

“The number of commercial vineyards in North Dakota is steadily increasing,” said Agriculture Commissioner Roger Johnson. “It is very important that pesticide applicators know the location of these operations to make sure they do not accidentally contaminate the grapes.”

Locations of North Dakota vineyards are listed on the NDDA website at www.agdepartment.com/PDFFiles/NDGrapeGrowerLocations.pdf. Each of the more than 20 listings includes the vineyard name, the owners, phone numbers and a legal description of location and county.

Johnson said grapes are very sensitive to many herbicides commonly used in North Dakota.

“Misapplication or spray drift can destroy a high-value crop unless pesticide users are careful about the products they use, the application method, and where the products are used,” he said. “The vines themselves are also very susceptible to damage or death from herbicides.”

Johnson also encouraged applicators to contact vineyard owners in the area before applying pesticides.

Commercial grape growers should contact NDDA at (800) 242-7535 or ndda@nd.gov to be included on the webpage.

More information on grape production is available from the North Dakota Grape Growers Association (NDGGA) at www.ndgga.org. Founded in 2006, NDGGA now has more than 100 members working to promote viticulture and grape research in the state.  

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MEDIA: For more information, please call Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov or Patrice Lahlum at (701) 239-7210 or plahlum@nd.gov.

For more information on the North Dakota Grape Growers Association, please contact Rudy Radke, NDSU Extension Service Ag Diversification Specialist at (701) 356-0222 or rudy.radke@ndsu.edu.