Vineyard Expansion Assistance Program open to Ohio Vineyards – Ohio Ag Net | Ohio’s Country Journal

The 2022 Winery Enlargement Help Program (VEAP) is now open to new and current Ohio vineyards. VEAP permits wineries to put money into and plant high-quality, high-value grapes onsite as a substitute of buying them from different states. The VEAP is an incentive program created and funded by the Ohio Grape Industries Committee (OGIC).

Because of the small variety of grapes produced in Ohio, many wineries, farmers markets, and retailers are pressured to buy grapes of a number of completely different varieties from different states so as to meet manufacturing wants. The VEAP is designed to supply a extra steady supply of high-quality, high-value grapes grown in Ohio. Moreover, this system will permit for extra Ohio wines to qualify for the Ohio High quality Wine (OQW) program and improve shopper consciousness of Ohio’s premier wines made out of Ohio-grown grapes.

The VEAP funding will cowl the price of the grape vines planted. Every grower might apply for as much as $1,500 per half-acre with a most of three acres, or $9,000. Solely growers in Ohio might apply for the help and the planting should happen within the spring of 2023. All purposes should be accomplished and obtained by the OGIC by Thursday, June 30, 2022. To obtain a duplicate of the appliance, please contact Christy Eckstein at christy.eckstein@agri.ohio.gov.

Ohio is the sixth largest wine producer within the nation, with simply over 1,500 acres of vineyards producing and promoting 1.2 million gallons, or 500,000 circumstances, of wine yearly. There are at present 370 licensed wine producers throughout the state, creating greater than 8,000 full-time jobs for Ohioans. VEAP is managed by OGIC, which was established in 1981 and operates in-part by means of the Ohio Division of Agriculture. Be taught extra about Ohio wines right here.