In 2025, petitions were signed by 25% of the wine grape growers in Michigan to pursue development of a proposed Wine Grape Grower PA 232 program in accordance with Public Act 232, Michigan Agricultural Commodities Marketing Act (1965) (see attached PA 232 document). The efforts were initiated by the Michigan Wine Collaborative.   As a result, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has appointed a Temporary Committee of Wine Grape Growers (see attached Temporary Committee document) to develop a proposed program to be considered by Michigan wine grape growers at future public hearings.  The intent of the program is to establish a grower funded assessment program to support marketing, research and education within the wine grape industry. 

At a recent meeting of the Temporary Committee, some members indicated that communications to develop a proposed PA 232 program for wine grape growers has not been widely received.  This email and the attached information are not meant to solicit support, but to increase awareness of the proposed program and to inform you of the progress to date.

This program will only apply to grapes used for producing wine and does not include grapes grown for juice.

The Temporary Committee and MDARD are interested in reaching all independent wine grape growers and wineries growing wine grapes. I am sending this information to our Straits Area Grape Growers Association membership and those on our mailing list that may be wine grape growers or know someone who is. If you know of anyone in your area growing wine grapes that may not be aware of this PA 232 effort, please consider passing this information on. We want all wine grape growers, large and small, to be aware of the intent to develop a PA 232 wine grape growers' program for their consideration.  In my role on the Temporary Committee I want to make sure we also reach wine grape growers located across The Tip of the Mitt AVA and everywhere in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.

In addition, it is a challenge to identify all independent wine grape growers not directly associated with a winery.  Can you, or have them send their contact information including name, address and email address to the Temporary Committee chairperson, Robert Schutzki at schutzki@msu.edu.  Their information will only be used for program information, announcements of public hearings and referendum ballots.

Thank you for your consideration

Tom Jaenicke, Temporary Committee Member

Proposed Wine Grape Grower PA 232 Program

Executive Director, Straits Area Grape Growers Association

2 MICHIGAN PA 232 2.pdf

Michigan Wine Grape Growers PA 232 Program Temp Committee 1-2026.pdf