ND Department of Agriculture Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FEBRUARY 3, 2010

GRANT PROGRAM NOW AVAILABLE FOR NORTH DAKOTA WINERIES

BISMARCK – The North Dakota Department of Agriculture is now offering a grant program to qualifying wineries to promote and develop the state’s growing wine industry.

“In just a few years, North Dakota has grown from being the last state to commercially produce wines to having more than a half dozen licensed wineries,” said Agriculture Commissioner Doug  Goehring. “This new grant program will help these wineries grow their businesses and develop new markets for their products.”

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded.

Goehring said grant money can be used for research, advertising, promotion, marketing, food safety or security, plant health programs and education, but not the purchase or lease of equipment or real estate.

The program is available only to Pride of Dakota member wineries currently in operation or in the process of obtaining appropriate licensing.

Completed applications may be submitted by email, fax or mail and must be received by March 15, 2010.

For more information or for application forms, interested wineries should contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture, Business Development Division, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 602, Bismarck, ND 58505-0020; phone (701) 328-2231; fax (701)328-4567 or e-mail sakelsch@nd.gov.

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MEDIA: For more information, please contact Ted Quanrud at (701) 328-2233 or tquanrud@nd.gov.