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Small Business and Financial Resources

 

Business Models specific to Wine grapes and Wineries:

 

Other Resources:

The following list of resources is provided by the N.C. Wine & Grape Council to guide those looking for loans, grants or information regarding financial aspects of starting a vineyard and/or winery in North Carolina.

 

 

Grant Programs

 

  • USDA/CSREES Integrated Research, Education, and Extension Competitive Grants Program provides funding for integrated, multifunctional agricultural research, extension, and education activities. Funding is announced through a separate Request for Applications (RFA) for each program.
  • On-Farm Research These projects are similar to the Producer Grant Program which focuses on projects that promote sustainable agriculture and produce information that many farmers can use. These On-farm Research proposals are for research conducted by extension, NRCS or NGO personnel who currently work with farmers and ranchers. In this On-farm Research program at least farmer/rancher cooperators must be involved in the project from planning through implementation and outreach. Project funding maximum: $15,000.
  • Environmental Education Grants (EPA) The Grant Program sponsored by EPA's Office of Environmental Education supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed decisions that affect environmental quality. Since 1992, EPA has received between $2 and $3 million in grant funding per year and has awarded about 1,700 grants. The EPA is soliciting applications for projects to design, demonstrate or disseminate environmental education practices, methods or techniques, including assessment of environmental conditions and specific environmental issues. Details on the program and how to make submissions are available.
  • Soils and Soil Biology United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program.
  • Watershed Processes and Water Resources United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program. 
  • Value-Added Products Research - Non-Food Characterization/Process/Product Research United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program
  • Managed Ecosystems United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service National Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program.
  • Program for Ecosystem Research (PER) United States Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Biological and Environmental Research (OBER)

 

 

Insurance Coverage

The Department of Insurance (NCDOI) has a Market Assistance Program (MAP) established in the mid-eighties when commercial coverage was difficult to find. Anyone having difficulty finding commercial coverage should contact the MAP and see if it knows of carriers that may be willing to write the coverage.

 

Keep in mind though, that MAP attempts to respond to the availability issue. It does not speak to affordability. There are two types of companies that provide insurance coverage:

  • Licensed companies, whose policyholders are covered by the NC Guaranteed Association in the event a licensed company became insolvent
  • Surplus Line Coverage (SLC) companies. If the SLC Company were to become insolvent, there would be no protection for its policyholders, under the Guaranty Association.

 

If you are having a problem finding coverage, please call the NCDOI’s Market Assistance Program at (919) 807- 6750 or (800) 546-5664 for assistance.
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