Funds for wine, grapes could go up

Wine and grape production groups might see a boost in funding for research after the state Senate passed a bill Thursday to provide $100,000 for the state’s agriculture commissioner to provide research grants.

Senate Bill 2146 was sent to the House by a 26 to 20 vote.

The bill was drafted, “to support growth, education and marketing of grape production and wineries in the state,” the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Karen Krebsbach, R-Minot, said.

Sen. Joe Miller, R-Park River, chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said $100,000 was too much money for a group that already has a large amount of money in their own coffers.

Krebsbach rebutted saying the industry is in its infancy and “it needs help from us.”

The funding would come from the agricultural fuel tax fund, which is used for the enhancement of agricultural research, development, processing, technology, and marketing.

The bill would also allow the ag commissioner to appoint a grape and wine advisory committee consisting of two grape producers, one producer of fruits other than grapes, two winery owners and one representative from the North Dakota grape and wine association.

Tags: news, agribusiness