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Idaho grape and wine industry urges support for research position, cites land, labor and water pressures
Summary
Representatives of the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission told the House Agriculture Affairs Committee that the industry has expanded but faces land loss, labor shortages and a lack of in-state viticulture research; they urged support for a University of Idaho viticulturist and described reliance on grant funding and local markets.
Roger Batt, legislative adviser for the Idaho Grape Growers and Wine Producers Commission, told the House Agriculture Affairs Committee the state's grape and wine industry has expanded but faces constraints on land, labor and research capacity.
"We really support having a viticulturist because we don't have one right now to help the industry out," Batt said, describing the commission's request for a viticulture position at the University of Idaho to provide local research and extension support. Batt told the committee Idaho now has about 1,350 acres of vineyards, 70 vineyard sites and roughly 2,800 tons of grapes harvested in 2023; he said the…
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