GRAPE AND WINE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
[NDCC 4.1-01-16]
The Grape and Wine Advisory Committee is governed by the Grape, Wine, and Fruit Promotion Fund. The Committee consists of two grape producers, a producer of fruit other than grapes used in vinification, two owners of wineries in the State, and a representative from the North Dakota Grape and Wine Association. The mission of the Grape, Wine, and Fruit Promotion fund is to provide research and promotion in support of the grape and wine industry in North Dakota [NDCC 4.1-01-16]. The North Dakota Department of Agriculture administers a fund called the Grape and Wine Research, Promotion, and Marketing Grant. The fund is included in the Agriculture Commissioner's budget.
Early on grapes were grown in the State as a hobby or for personal consumption, but in recent years the product has grown into a commercial industry and the growers started to share information about the commercial use of grapes. Commercial vineyards are those where the producer owns and/or operates a commercial winery producing grapes for the sale of the product or with the intention of selling the grapes to a winery. Fruit production or processing of North Dakota-grown fruits and vineyards and wineries requires a license.
The North Dakota Grape Growers Association was established in 2006 to promote viticulture in the State with a mission "to carry out the education, promotion, and extension of the art and science of viticulture statewide including all agricultural, horticultural, and related purposes." Additionally, in 2006 the NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center [NDCC 15-12.1-10] in central North Dakota began the Northern-Hardy Fruit Evaluation Project after hosting the first statewide informal wine and grape growing meeting. According to the Center website six acres for woody plant research was set aside for the project. The Center created and self-funded the installation of the Northern-Hardy Fruit Evaluation Project to determine which "fruiting plant selections would be desirable, hardy, and productive". Planting started in spring 2006 and was extended for several years with the primary objective of "evaluating each crop for adaptation, disease resistance, production practices, winter hardiness, productivity, fruit quality, and vinification quality". To reflect the needs of the growing membership and recognizing that the grape industry would grow through a cooperative effort with the wine industry, the North Dakota Grape Growers Association name was changed to the North Dakota Grape and Wine Association. Funding was sought and the State Legislature established the North Dakota Grape and Wine Program Committee (NDGWPC) to oversee the disposition of funds for grape and wine research, education, and marketing. The Committee serves commercial and amateur groups of fruit and grape growers and winemakers across North Dakota and nearby states.
CHRONOLOGY
2001 The State Treasurer issued a license to an owner or operator of a farm winery. Legislation also required the use of ingredients other than grapes to be grown in the State (S.L. 2001, Ch. 87).
2003 The State Tax Commissioner issued the licenses [NDCC 5-01-17]. Language changed farm winery to domestic winery and legislation required that the majority of ingredients be grown in the State. (S.L. 2003, Ch. 67).
2005 Legislation related to domestic winery sales at special events. After five years 51% of wine ingredients had to be grown in North Dakota (S.L. 2005, Ch. 78).
2006 The NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center began the Northern-Hardy Fruit Evaluation Project [NDCC 15-12.1-10].
2007 Legislation related to [NDCC 5-01-17] changes concerning sales and tax reporting by domestic wineries, qualifications for a state wholesale license, and the imposition of tax on sales by domestic wineries (S.L. 2007, Ch. 71). Wineries were included in [NDCC 15-03-06].
2009 A seven member Grape and Wine Program Committee consisted of the Agriculture Commissioner, Vice President of Agriculture at NDSU, and an appointee by the Governor representing the Grape and Wine industry, a representative from the Department of Commerce, a State Board of Agriculture Research and Education appointee, and two representatives of the Grape Growers Association (S.L. 2009, Ch. 69).
2011 [NDCC 5-01-17] and [NDCC 5-01-19] related to the promotion of sustainably grown commodities including domestic wineries (S.L. 2011, Ch. 35). A report by the North Dakota Grape and Wine Program Committee developed a vision and strategic plan for the grape and wine industry in North Dakota.
2012 The North Dakota Grape Growers Association became the North Dakota Grape and Wine Association.
2013 Legislation created and enacted a new section to the Century Code [NDCC 4-01] relating to the Grape and Wine Advisory Committee with members appointed by the Agriculture Commissioner. Members included two representatives from the producers of grapes, a producer of fruit other than grapes used in wine making, two owners of wineries, and a representative from the North Dakota Grape and Wine Association (S.L. 2013, Ch. 66). The Agriculture Commissioner consults with the Grape and Wine Advisory Committee before selecting grant recipients. Grants support research or promote the grape and wine industry statewide.
2017 Responsibility for funding remains with the Agriculture Commissioner (S.L. 2017, Ch. 61).
SOURCES
North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Website.
North Dakota Century Code.
North Dakota Grape and Wine Association, NDGWA Website.
North Dakota State Legislature Session Laws.
North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center Website.
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