April 2024 Newsletter

Buckle up for Taste MI Invades the D, Sponsor the Michigan Wine Collaborative, Learn about available grant opportunities, Mark your calendars for Dirt to Glass, Check in with MWC member Keen, Participate or update your listings in the Vintage Michigan Wine Club, Attend the Enviroweather demonstration at Folklor, Learn about 86 Harassment, and More!

Buckle Up! Taste Michigan Invades the D!

Buckle Up! A Michigan wine extravaganza including food & wine pop ups, a local wine fest, and the MI Wine Expo is coming to invading the Motor City! Visit tastemichigan.org for updates as we continue to build partnerships in the Detroit market for this epic MI Wine Month weekend. Bookending the Uncork Me Michigan Michigan wine festival at Comerica Park, these Taste Michigan events maximize the exposure for Michigan wine that weekend in celebration of Michigan Wine Month.

Contact Brian Lillie or Emily Dockery to be included in this landmark event weekend.

Stay tuned for more updates at tastemichigan.org!

Click Here for the Current Line Up!

It’s Time to Fund the MWC!

It’s time for the annual Michigan Wine Collaborative Sponsorship Drive! We work hard at MWC to provide our members with benefits as well as promoting and supporting the wider Michigan grape and wine industries. In order to continue our momentum we are seeking sponsors, corporate partnerships, and donors. Help sustain the Michigan Wine Collaborative through contributions in 2024…while expanding your marketing reach and client bases. We need your help to continue growing Michigan wine!

MWC is a 501(c)3 and we also have a 501(c)6 in the form of Michigan Wine Foundation. We are proud to work in the nonprofit sector to expand the Michigan grape and wine industries in areas from commercial expansion to workforce development, from sustainable agriculture to educational opportunities.

Lock in your sponsorship HERE!

Click Here to Explore 2024 Sponsorship Opportunities!

Donate to the MWC Here!

Grant Opportunities & Resources

MDARD’s Food and Ag Wastewater Funding Available

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s (MDARD) Wastewater Infrastructure Fund Grant Program (WIF) aims to help the state’s food and agriculture businesses ensure compliance with Michigan’s environmental regulations. Funds for the grant program remain available, and MDARD is encouraging eligible food and agriculture companies to apply.

Successful applicants will receive funding to assist them with achieving compliance with the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) wastewater regulations under their Groundwater Discharge Permit Program. Eligible entities are agriculture and food processors located in Michigan, who are under an Administrative Consent order, compliance and enforcement action, or have a Schedule of Compliance found in a Certificate of Coverage or state Groundwater Discharge Permit from EGLE and are in good standing with other State of Michigan agencies.

The WIF funds are distributed with a maximum amount of $2 million per project. Each awarded amount follows a tiered system as part of the cost-reimbursement for selected projects. Applications for the WIF program will be accepted until all funding is committed.

To apply for the WIF grant, companies will first need to submit an electronic pre-qualification form online, available on the MDARD grant page. All pre-qualification forms will be reviewed, and MDARD staff will contact potential companies with next steps if they meet the grant requirements.

**A webinar with details about the WIF grant will be held on April 11, 2024, at 2 p.m. EST. The link to this webinar and eligibility and criteria for the WIF program can be found on MDARD’s website.**

Minority Owned Food and Agriculture Business Capacity Building Grants

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) is offering the Minority‐ Owned Food and Agriculture Business Grant Program, this reimbursement grant program provides eligible organizations with up to $50,000 to support collaborative planning and capacity initiatives. The applicants can request grant funds designed to support collaborative planning and capacity building initiatives that advance efforts to address local needs including, but not limited to, capacity building, development readiness, partnerships, and planning.

Applications must be submitted by APRIL 18, 2024.

LEARN MORE HERE!

2024 Dirt to Glass Conference

Michigan State University AgBioResearch, in partnership with Michigan State University Extension and Intentional Agriculture, is excited to unveil the third edition of the annual Michigan Grape and Wine Conference, Dirt to Glass™ 2024. Scheduled for August 22-23, 2024, in Traverse City, Michigan, this two-day event is poised to set a new benchmark in viticulture and winemaking, showcasing the highest international standards.

Crafted by a planning committee consisting of industry leaders, academics, and extension specialists, Dirt to Glass™ 2024 is designed for grape growers and wine producers throughout Michigan and neighboring states. The conference offers cutting-edge, practical information and tools aimed at advancing their expertise and keeping them abreast of industry trends.

The primary objective of Dirt to Glass™ 2024 is to foster an innovative community of growers and producers from across Michigan, providing them with world-class education in viticulture and winemaking. Attendees will gain exclusive access to a distinguished lineup of speakers from around the globe, sharing insights on sustainability, soil health, vineyard management, winemaking practices, and more. In its third iteration, Dirt to Glass™ sets a new standard in programming, promising an unprecedented level of content.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Click Here to Learn More about the 2024 Dirt to Glass Conference!

Checking in With MWC Member, Keen!

The increased volume and competition in the wine industry places a renewed emphasis on controlling costs. Reducing daily energy consumption and exposure to energy price volatility are key differentiators for successful operators – and Keen can help.

A winery that harvests solar energy to power its operations can substantially reduce energy expenses. Installing roof-top or ground-mount solar can supply year-round power to supplement other energy sources.

The Inflation Reduction Act has made millions of dollars available to farmers and rural businesses through funding the USDA’s REAP grant program. In addition, the US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service finalized key provisions to the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, including two new ways for organizations to access credits. Contact a Keen Energy Consultant to learn more about onsite renewable energy generation and how Keen can guide you through every step in your energy solution journey.

Click Here to Connect with Keen!

Enroll in the Vintage Michigan Wine Club! (& Promote Your Events All Year Long!)

We are entering the first open enrollment period of the year! Enroll your winery or business now in Michigan’s only statewide wine club. We publish our official Vintage Michigan Wine Club participant brochure in the spring and winter each year. NOW is the perfect time to lock in your spot. Attract new guests and loyal customers by offering discounts. Other benefits include promotion in our consumer focused newsletters which go out to over 4000 members, opportunity to post on our exclusive event calendar, and more!

We are now offering advertising options in the brochure. Current offerings include:
Full page ad features (plus 2 targeted email blasts and 2 social media posts replicating the ad digitally): $500 for both editions of the brochure; $250 for Spring OR Winter edition
Half page ad features: (plus 1 targeted email blast and 1 social media post replicating the ad digitally):
$175 for both editions; $125 for Spring OR Winter
Please fill out the form below to lock in your spot:
https://forms.gle/7Ny6PzcbXVHcdwzt5

Don’t forget to submit your events for promotion regularly!!
We want to help promote your vineyard and winery events!! MWC members who are Vintage Michigan participants are welcomed to submit events at any time for promotion in the Vintage Michigan Event Calendar. These events are shared with the over 4000 Vintage Michigan members. Please submit via the form below or contact Emily with event information, links, graphics, and invitations.

Share Your Events for the Vintage Michigan Calendar Here!

MSU Enviroweather Platform Demonstration

On Wednesday, April 24 from 4:00 – 6:00 Folklor Wine and Cider is hosting a demonstration of the MSU Enviroweather platform with Keith Mason, PhD, MSU Enviroweather Program Coordinator. Learn how to use Enviroweather data to inform your farm or garden management plans, including a demonstration of how viticulturist Derrick Vogel uses this data to guide both organic and conventional vineyard management plans.

Please register for this free event by following the link below. This program is supported with research grant funding from the Michigan Craft Beverage Council.

Registration link: https://forms.gle/tEX3PDAPTCc9zDXB7

86 Harassment- A Groundbreaking Initiative for the Wine Industry

Women of the Vine & Spirits (WOTVS), the only global membership organization dedicated to empowering and advancing women across every industry sector and all three-tiers in the beverage alcohol industry, has announced 86 Harassment (www.86harassment.com), a groundbreaking industry-wide initiative addressing sexual harassment and gender-based violence within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.

86 Harassment is the first industry-wide initiative specifically designed for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries to co-create an action plan aimed at reducing incidents of harassment and violence. We aim to create a model that can be duplicated by other industries worldwide emphasizing a collective commitment to fostering safer environments for employees and customers alike.
86 Harassment will support employers and employees with the following free resources:

Customized Training for the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries on setting boundaries and bystander intervention, including “Creating A Safer Community,” developed and conducted by RAINN (www.rainn.org).
Industry-specific Dedicated Confidential Crisis Intervention Hotline operated by staff at RAINN. Telephone Crisis Intervention Services available in English and Spanish. The hotline staff are available 24/7 to support communities with industry-specific crisis intervention, empathetic listening, and warm handoffs to designated local service providers. The Hotline provides quality, anonymous, and confidential crisis intervention services in English and Spanish to support survivors within our industries.
Centralized Resource Hub including glossary key terms and phrases, articles, reports, newsletters, and educational resources for anyone in the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries. Handouts, toolkits, postcards, flyers, stickers, posters, available to download, print and post on walls on-premise, off-premise, offices and use at conferences, and events.

April 16th 9am Training Session:

Creating a Safer Community for the Beverage Alcohol & Hospitality Industries

The RAINN training on Creating a Safer Community is focused on deepening participant knowledge about the relationship between individual behaviors and organizational responsibility, and equipping participants with the skills and tools to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct within the beverage alcohol and hospitality industries.

Utilizing feedback and knowledge gained from engaging with members of these two industries, RAINN has developed a 2-hour virtual training that will highlight the significance of a holistic approach to prevention and response. During the training participants will have an opportunity to engage in interactive learning through discussion and scenarios, practicing strategies for reinforcing healthy boundaries and norms within the industry, with a focus on bystander intervention. RAINN will introduce additional principles of trauma-informed communication and engage with participants in applying these principles within the industry.

The RAINN training on Creating a Safer Community will cover the following topics:

Complexities of sexual misconduct, and how it impacts the beverage/alcohol and hospitality industries
Individual and organizational considerations for establishing healthy norms and boundaries within the industry
Strategies for bystander intervention
Applying fundamental principles of trauma-informed communication to support survivors

Click Here to Register!

Be a Part of the 2024 Burning Foot Beach Festival

Be a part of the 2024 Burning Foot Beach Festival! This unique and epic event combines Michigan wine, beer, cider, and spirits on Pere Marquette Beach for a celebration of Michigan craft beverages and Michigan summer! Exhibit your wines to thousands of attendees. This is a great opportunity to appeal to new customer bases and educate guests on your products and Michigan wine. Vendor spots are limited to TEN Michigan wineries. Please register ASAP to be considered. MWC will be reviewing all applications and deciding on the line up with priority going to our member wineries. This is a great time to join the Michigan Wine Collaborative if you have not already in order to get first dibs on events like this and many more member benefits.
JOIN THE MWC HERE!

2024 VineBalance Pilot Program

As the 2024 season starts to pick up we would like to invite you to participate in the pilot year for the 2024 Michigan VineBalance program. VineBalance is a self-assessment grower workbook that aims to help growers implement and adopt the best sustainable viticultural management practices for our climate.

By participating in this pilot program, you will have the opportunity to help shape the future of sustainability in our industry. If you have an interest in participating, please email the Michigan Wine Collaborative sustainability committee chair, Sidney Finan or executive director Emily Dockery to let us know of your interest. If interested, please sign up at the button below.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out anytime! We hope to have you join us.