A new how-to guide has been released by the Washington Wine Industry Foundation called “Getting Paid: Tools for Washington Grape Growers – A Step-by-Step Guide to Reducing Revenue Loss When Selling Grapes”.
The guide is a day-to-day reference for both growers and wineries with information about all aspects of a grape sale transaction: from vetting new customers through contracting, invoicing and getting paid. The guide addresses best practices, statutory protections, and includes sample contracts and invoice language. The guide also provides details about PACA
(Perishable Agricultural Products Act) and the Uniform Commercial Code (UCC). Formatted to keep close at hand, the guide includes room for notes and has references such as a statewide listing of certified weigh stations.
The guide was the product of a grant through a USDA Risk Management Education Partnership to help reduce the risks inherent in agriculture. Awarded in 2014, the grant provides a tangible tool addressing one area of risk – the actual transaction involving sale of fruit.
The grant also supported risk education and outreach to help preserve and improve business relationships. While the guide will primarily aid wine grape growers, it also benefits wineries as it informs both sides of the transaction how to optimize a long-term relationship.
Workshops were held in 2014 and 2015 with presentations by Stephanie Meier of Stoel Rives, Jesse Lyon of Davis Wright Tremaine and Bill Shibley of Northwest Farm Credit Services. Face-to-face feedback was also gathered from over a dozen wine and grape industry leaders on the guide’s topics.
To view an electric version visit: www.washingtonwinefoundation.
The Foundation’s mission is to strengthen the future of the Washington wine industry by advancing research, education, and leadership. WWIF coordinates, manages and promotes scholarships and grants to benefit the wine and grape industry.
