NEWS RELEASE

United States Department of Agriculture • Rural Development

1221 College Park Drive, Suite 200, Dover, DE  19904

Phone: (302) 857-3580 • Fax: (302) 857-3640 • TDD: (302) 857-3585 • Web: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov

THREE GRANTS SUPPORT STEVENSVILLE WINERY

          Stevensville, MD (November 3, 2008) – Mark Cascia Vineyards is a family owned and operated farm that has 14 acres of vinifera grape vines located on Kent Island bordering the scenic Chesapeake Bay.  Today, federal, state, and local officials gathered at the vineyard for an announcement of $145,504 in grant funds that will help take the winery into the future and keep the land in agriculture.  Cascia Vineyards is 1 of 144 grant recipients in 37 states to receive funding this year through a nationally competitive USDA Rural Development Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) Program.

            This funding is comprised of a $99,856 VAPG from USDA Rural Development and a partial matching grant from Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) in the amount of $33,285.

In addition, Cascia Vineyards was also awarded a $12,363 energy efficiency grant that is provided through USDA Rural Development’s Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Program.  The winery is one of two energy efficiency grants awarded this year in Maryland.  Plans are to install a geo-thermal system for heating and cooling purposes that will help conserve and reduce energy costs on the farm.             

            “Wineries are a value-added business that converts a raw product, grapes, into wine,” said USDA Rural Development State Director Marlene Elliott Brown.  “Wineries are also typically known for being environmentally friendly by using less acreage that results in reduced runoff that could impact the Chesapeake Bay.  This winery will add another boost to the environment by installing an energy saving system that will help reduce operating expenses.  We are pleased to support this family run enterprise by returning taxpayer dollars back home that nurtures the preservation of our rural landscape and helps keep agriculture at the forefront of our rural economy.”

Originally authorized in the 2002 Farm Bill, the VAPG Program is designed to support farm families in rural America by helping them to market their commodities and increase their financial returns through planning and capital investments.  This year, five Maryland agricultural producers were recipients of the program.  Out of the five, three were wineries and two were for cheese and beef projects representing a total of $532,228.  MARBIDCO provided a companion grant of up to one-third of the USDA award for each project.

            MARBIDCO is a quasi-public corporation established by the State of Maryland in 2004 to provide specialized economic development assistance to Maryland’s struggling farm, forestry, and seafood industries.  Its mission is to help agricultural and other rural businesses achieve profitability, and in the process help preserve farm and forest land as well as bolster the production of quality locally-grown food and fiber products.

Cascia Vineyards will use the money from USDA and MARBIDCO for working capital to hire and train personnel, purchase equipment and supplies, and for marketing purposes.   The winery will produce hand-crafted premium red and white wines as well as dessert wines from the grapes grown on their premises.

“MARBIDCO is truly delighted to be able to assist Cascia Vineyards with the implementation of a winery enterprise project, and we heartily commend Mark and Kim Cascia for their entrepreneurial spirit and long hours of work to get their business to this stage ,” said Stephen McHenry, MARBIDCO Executive Director. “Value-added processing, if done in an appropriate fashion, is a viable way for farmers to find new markets for their products, increase farm-gate revenues, and help sustain farm operations for future generations.”

In closing, Mark Cascia stated, “My wife, Kimberly, and I are thrilled with being selected for these USDA and MARBIDCO grants.  We have put a lot of effort into making our dream become a reality.  The grant funds will be a great help in getting our vineyard and winery up and running profitably.  Being located on Kent Island puts us right at the gateway to Maryland’s Eastern Shore.  Our success will help firmly establish the wine and grape industry on the Eastern Shore and fuel the growth of this relatively new agricultural industry to Maryland by encouraging others to follow suit.  We can’t hank the USDA and MARBIDCO enough.  Preventing the disappearance of the small family farm from the landscapes of rural America is a challenge.  It is our vision that by being successful, while maintaining sustainable eco-friendly and energy efficient farming practices, we can serve as the model for a new era of the rural family farm and help preserve the heritage that defines Queen Anne’s County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland.”

USDA Rural Development’s mission is to increase economic opportunity and improve the quality of life for rural residents.  Last year, the agency returned more than $156 million to rural Maryland.  They have more than 40 programs that support agriculture, business opportunities, home ownership, home repair, rental housing, broadband technology, public safety, health care, education, social and cultural needs, and energy related projects.  Additional information on rural programs is available by calling their Denton Office at (410) 479-1202, ext. 4 or by visiting their website at www.rurdev.usda.gov.

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