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Kentucky Grape Growing Grants

Outsiders, asked what kind of alcohol made Kentucky famous, are likely to mention Bourbon whiskey, the "white lightning" of Prohibition. Seldom, if ever, does anyone note a winemaking tradition as old as the U.S.. Founded in 1798 by Jean Jacques Dufour, winemaker to the Marquis de Lafayette, the Kentucky Vineyard Society supported the creation of vineyards along the banks of the Kentucky River. By 1860 Kentucky was the third largest wine producing state in the country. "Revenooers," Federal agents best remembered for chasing bootleggers, struck the first blow of Prohibition in Kentucky by destroying vineyards. Restoration of the Kentucky wine industry has taken on new vitality with the development of grants for beginning and experienced vintners.

  1. State Grants Specifically for Grape-Growers

    • The Kentucky Department of Agriculture administers the Grape and Wine Marketing Program, including two grants. The Wholesaler Reimbursement Grant provides an incentive of up to $12 per case to wholesalers stocking Kentucky wine for sale. The Winery Marketing Cost-Share Grant pays up to 50% of promotional expenses incurred by a Kentucky winery as part of its marketing efforts. Table grapes grown intensively as specialty crops may also qualify for Specialty Crop grant funds.

    Federal Grants for Grape-Growers

    • The USDA offers a number of grants, not specifically for grape-growers but addressing a number of their needs. With one exception, grants tend to focus more on farming processes than on product (grants for new farmers and ranchers do not specify what you must grow). The USDA, therefore, ofers grants to new farmers; women and minority farmers; farmers changing crops and cultivation methods (in Kentucky grapes are replacing tobacco); and farmers interested in updated and environmentally-more-responsible farming methods.

    ATTRA/SARE Grants for Farmers

    • The alternative and organic arm of the USDA, ATTRA offers funding for both tradition-reviving and innovative strategies in farming. Through its regional SARE (Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education) ATTRA supports research projects conducted by farmers. Especially since Kentucky grape-growing is reviving an old heritage, projects testing grape varieties and cultivation methods may attract SARE technical support and grants.

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Growing Grapes
  1. How to Get Started Growing Red Grapes
  2. Growing Seedless Grapes on My Backyard Fence
  3. Grants for Wine Growing
  4. Fast Growing Grape Vines
  5. Wine Grape Growing Guidelines for Northern California
  6. Grape Growing Facts
  7. Grape Growing in Eastern Oklahoma
  8. Grape Growing in Oklahoma
  9. Growing Seasons for Concord Grapes
  10. Training Grape Vines by Pruning
  11. Growing Grape Vines in Missouri
  12. Grape Growing Problems

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