Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Commercial Vineyard Increased Acreage
Grant Program
Call For Proposals
Introduction
The Florida Viticulture Policy Act, Ch599FS, declares that viticulture, the production and utilization of grapes, is an underdeveloped agriculture commodity enterprise in Florida. The Act also creates a VAC to assist in developing a plan for the expansion and growth of viticulture into a broad-based, economically viable industry. The Act further establishes a Viticulture Trust Fund derived from taxes on Florida produced wine sales to assist in implementing the plan. The Commercial Vineyard Increased Acreage Program (IAP) represents an initiative of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to meet the purposes of the Act. Grant proposals are requested from commercial grape growers and grape growing organizations in Florida interested in increasing their acreage. The value and importance of viticulture experience is basic to sustainability of the industry.
Studies conclude that lack of marketing alternatives is the key constraint to sustainable agriculture in the Southern United States. The creation of locally owned, value added enterprises offer the best opportunity for removing this constraint. The FDACS viticulture increased acreage program integrates sustainable practices with marketing alternatives as the best opportunity for viticulture industry development. Currently, Florida wineries and fresh fruit sellers are unable to purchase all their grapes from Florida grape growers. The VAC, IAP serves to promote and assist in the financing of new vineyards or the expansion of existing vineyards.
Sustainable Agriculture
Sustainable agriculture is defined as an integrated system of plant and animal practices having a site-specific application that will, over the long term:
What is a Commercial Vineyard Increased Acreage Grant?
It is a grant to a commercial grape grower or grape grower organization to expand a Florida vineyard. Commercial grape growers or organizations complete a proposal describing their project and how it will help satisfy the need for grapes and encourage others to plant commercial vineyards.
What is a Commercial Vineyard and Who is Eligible?
Any Florida grower or grape grower organization that owns 20 contiguous acres of Florida land suitable for vineyards and has already produced and sold grapes, or can demonstrate that they have sufficient agricultural experience to do so,may apply. Applicant must propose sufficient planting to achieve a minimum of 5 total vineyard acres (existing plus proposed).The application must include a contract or letter of commitment from a cooperator to purchase grapes or value-added grape products from the expanded acreage vineyard. Or, if a U-Pick marketing plan is proposed for the sale of the grapes, the applicant must provide evidence that he/she has consulted with an officer of the Florida Grape Growers Association for varietal selection. The applicant must be a member of the Fresh From Florida program.
Cooperators
Cooperators include wine and juice processors, food stores, producer cooperative associations, and other organizations that have agreed to purchase or process the grapes from the expanded acreage. Cooperators also include other farmers, researchers, extension agents or specialists, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and other interested individuals who cooperate in planning projects, collecting data, supplying labor and machinery, and fostering outreach activities. All project cooperators must submit a letter of commitment with the proposal application, clearly stating what duties or activities they will perform.
All projects must have an outreach plan to provide others with the opportunity to learn the results (Application Attachment 5). Outreach plans may include workshops, field days, fact sheets, brochures and other means of communication.
How Much Will the Increased Acreage Grant Fund?
Projects may be granted an amount not to exceed $1,000 per acre to assist in expanding a vineyard. Considering that the pre‑production period for a new vineyard is three years and that the total cost is approximately $6,000 per acre, the $1,000 grant is a major contribution.
What Expenses Will the Increased Acreage Grant Fund?
The grant can be used to reimbursedirect project costs, such as materials, supplies, and labor. Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU), the University of Arkansas (UA), and Florida Grape Grower’s Association (FGGA) have performed economic studies detailing the costs for materials, supplies, and labor for vineyards.
What Expenses Will an Increased Acreage Grant NOT Fund?
The grant cannot be used to purchase land or put in a well. Additionally, the grant will not fund the costs of general equipment, such as tractors, mechanical harvesters, vehicles, or permanent improvements, such as barns or buildings, at the vineyard site. The grant will not pay for testing commercial products.
How Are Increased Acreage Grants Selected?
All funding for the grant program is awarded competitively because more proposals may be submitted than can be funded. A subcommittee of the Florida VAC, the Increased Acreage Committee (IAC), reviews the applications received by the due dates of September 1, and when funding is available by March 15. The IAC members are mostly Florida grape growers who are familiar with the Florida grape industry and sustainable operations.
What Will Happen if Your Proposal is Selected?
Project selections are made by the IAC in October, and when funding is available in May. Selected proposals are immediately presented to the VAC for approval. FDACS approval is also required for funding a proposal. After the project is approved, the grantee will be asked to sign a contract agreeing to conduct the activities as described. It is expected that the vineyard will be completed within one year of approval, unless an extension is requested. Any changes in the budget or activities must receive prior approval from the FDACS Viticulture Coordinator. Once the installation is complete the grantee will notify the FDACS Viticulture Coordinator by letter including documentation (receipts or bill of sale for project costs). The grantee will be reimbursed according to the provisions of the grant, following verification by a VAC member or other person appointed by the VAC. Verification, following the site visit, will be substantiated by a letter to the FDACS Viticulture Coordinator confirming that all aspects of the proposed installation were complete.
Are There Conditions for Repayment of the Grant?
Beginning with the delivery of grapes to a processor or sales in the market during the third year, the grant shall be deemed repaid. If for any reason the vineyard is abandoned or fails to produce a marketable crop within five years, all grant funds shall be repaid immediately to FDACS. An annual progress report describing the condition of the vineyard must be submitted to VAC by February 1 for each of the first three years after funding is received.
How Can You Apply For an Increased Acreage Grant?
Notification to potential grape growers will be via the FDACS Florida Market Bulletin, notices to county extension agents, Florida Farm Bureau publications, articles in winery newsletters, Florida Grape Grower’s Association Web site and newsletter, and newspaper articles. Call or write the FDACS Viticulture Coordinator for an application kit:
Mr. Tom Thomas, Viticulture Coordinator
Division of Marketing
FDACS, Room 422, Mayo Building
407 South Calhoun
Tallahassee , Florida 32399-0800
Telephone 850 922-9827
Facsimile 850-488-7127
thomast@doacs.state.fl.us