1.1 	A bill for an act
1.2 	relating to agriculture; appropriating money for a
1.3 	grant to the Agriculture Utilization Research
1.4 	Institute at Crookston for vineyard production
1.5 	research.
1.6 	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7 	Section 1. APPROPRIATION; GRANT FOR VINEYARD PRODUCTION
1.8 	RESEARCH.
 1.9 	$125,000 in fiscal year 2006 is appropriated from the
1.10 	Minnesota investment revolving loan account, Minnesota Statutes,
1.11 	section 116J.8731, subdivision 5, for a grant to the Agriculture
1.12 	Utilization Research Institute at Crookston to do field research
1.13 	on the planting and production of cold-hardy grape cultivars.
1.14 	For the purposes of this appropriation, the requirements in
1.15 	Minnesota Statutes, sections 116J.8731, subdivisions 3, 4, 5,
1.16 	and 7; 116J.993; 116J.994; and 116J.995, are waived.  This is a
1.17 	onetime appropriation and is available until expended.
1.18 	This vineyard production research project is to select
1.19 	cold-hardy cultivars and cultural practices that can diversify
1.20 	the agricultural landscape of Minnesota and stimulate economic
1.21 	development with subsequent expansion into value-added
1.22 	businesses and the winery industry.  Treatments used in this
1.23 	research project must focus on development of cultural and
1.24 	management practices that include trials on planting depths,
1.25 	vine root care, cultivation techniques, mulching, and other
2.1 	methods that will enhance productivity and winter survival in
2.2 	subzero temperatures.
2.3 	An annual report is required, including an economic
2.4 	assessment that compares the input requirements and feasibility
2.5 	of each overwintering technique and its contribution to the
2.6 	success of the vines.  The research institute is encouraged to
2.7 	work with the University of Minnesota and the North Dakota State
2.8 	University experiment stations and on-farm sites to evaluate the
2.9 	suitability of regionally developed grape cultivars in areas of
2.10 	harsh winters and short growing seasons.