175A.4 - GRAPE AND WINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. - Iowa Statutes

175A.4 GRAPE AND WINE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS. The department in cooperation with the commission shall establish grape and wine development programs by assisting persons in establishing, improving, or expanding vineyards or winemaking operations, including wineries. To every extent feasible, the programs shall provide assistance to persons located in all regions of the state. The programs may provide for all of the following: 1. Technical assistance which may include all the following: a. Viticultural assistance in order to increase the size of vineyards, improve yield, and enhance the character, composition, and condition of grapes. The department may provide technical assistance regarding the selection and management of vines suitable for regions of this state; cultivation and harvest practices; the implementation of practices designed to improve grape growing based on soil types, nutrients and minerals, space, climate, and drainage; the use of recommended varieties of native or hybrid cultivars; and disease, weed, and pest control, including the safe and effective application of pesticides or herbicides or the use of organic practices. b. Oenological assistance which may be based on oenological study in order to produce, preserve, and transport commercially viable wines, including high-quality wines, wines adapted to particular regions of the state, and wines with distinctive tastes produced from native or hybrid cultivars. The technical assistance may include assistance regarding improving practices or constructing facilities designed to expand or improve processing, cellarage, or bottling. 2. Financial assistance which shall be in the form of a loan, forgivable loan, loan guarantee, cost share, indemnification of costs, or any combination of such financing as deemed appropriate by the commission. The financial assistance may be awarded to persons beginning or engaged in grape growing or winemaking, based on a sound business plan that demonstrates the viability of the proposed operations.          Section History: Recent Form 2001 Acts, ch 162, §5 Referred to in § 175A.3, 175A.5