Auction of Washington Wines Grant Pt 2
With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. The Auction of Washington Wines has awarded its annual Industry Grant of $15,000 to La Casa Hogar, the Yakima Valley’s Adult Education Program for farmworkers, including those in the wine industry.Executive Director Jaime Peha says it’s a relatively new program, but growing every year …
PEHA … “So, we’ve done it for three years. We’ve increased the amount, it started out at $10,000 and it’s gone up to $15,000, and next year the board has decided that the amount should go up to $30,000 a year. So, it’s a little bit more substantial for these organizations to want to apply for the grant because, I think, $30,000 is for some of these small non-profits that are helping this community could really use this kind of boost.”
And, Peha says labor is such an important issue these days …
PEHA … “It’s just so important. I mean, there is a bit of a labor issue out there in agriculture overall and I think it continues to be a challenge for agricultural industries. And, I think it’s just so important to support this community in a direct way and ensure that their lives are enhanced and that they feel cared for and that they are important as people and to the entire wine and agriculture communities.”
Peha says La Casa Hogar was an obvious selection …
PEHA … “You know, it was actually an easy award because the subject is close to home for this industry. And so, I think, that is why they were chosen as the recipient of this grant.”
Applications for next years $30,000 grant will be accepted between May 1st and November 30th.