Chatham vineyard, dairy awarded grants

By: Tara Bozick | GoDanRiver
Published: February 20, 2012

A Chatham winery and dairy were awarded value-added producer grants from the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Homeplace Vineyard will receive $208,571 and Dairy Energy Inc., the manure digester at the VanDerHyde Dairy, will receive $100,000, according to a news release.

They are two of 11 farms or agribusinesses in Virginia to receive the funding, according to a news release. Value-added products are when a producer adds consumer value to an agricultural commodity through processing or in the production stage, like using grapes to make wine.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture awarded 298 grants worth $40 million recipients across the country and Puerto Rico to promote small business expansion.

The Homeplace Vineyard, a winery that opened in September 2010, will use the money to market and advertise the site and the wine, said Joe Williams, who owns the operation with other family members.

“I’m hoping it will help toward tourism in the region,” Williams said. “And if we can expand, then hopefully we will be able to employ some people.”

The Homeplace Vineyard must match the grant, which will be dispensed over a three-year period. Williams believes word is getting out about the winery, and holding events like weddings and reunions helps. It has garnered more than 700 friends on Facebook.

The business will attend several events and wine festivals for promotion, and is participating in the Governor’s Cup wine competition, he added.