via growingproduce.com. USDA has announced the availability of approximately $66 million in Specialty Crop Block Grants to state departments of agriculture for projects that help support specialty crop growers, including locally grown fruits and vegetables, through research, programs to increase demand, and more. Read more…

Wineries that have faced issues from drought or extreme cold can now sign up for federal farmer and rancher disaster assistance programs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today that farmers and ranchers can sign-up for disaster assistance programs, reestablished and strengthened by the 2014 Farm Bill, beginning Tuesday, April 15, 2014. Quick implementation … Read more

This week, the TTB issued a ruling clarifying the bottling of taxpaid wine in growlers.  This has become a common practice by some retailers (such as Whole Foods) in certain states.  The TTB has not been clear leading up to this ruling on exactly what the rules are for selling wine in growlers.  According to … Read more

Success through Leadership, Advocacy and Networking in our Nation’s Capital Sunday, May 18 – Wednesday, May 21, 2014 Holiday Inn Capitol  550 C Street S.W. Washington, DC 20024 (202) 479-4000 The 2014 National Wine and Grape Policy Conference in Washington, DC is where wine industry leaders from around the country meet to weigh in on … Read more

The TTB has completed their review of how the FDA’s final rule on the use of the term “gluten-free” in the labeling of products under FDA’s labeling jurisdiction impacts the TTB’s interim policy on gluten content statements in the labeling and advertising of wine, beer and spirits. The TTB is updating their policy on gluten … Read more