Many managers have authority to buy home-grown. Markets for specialty crops and ethnic foods, such as Chinese chestnuts, are growing because of an increasing population of Asians and other ethnic groups. Viticulture Only a few acres are needed to produce an abundant supply of grapes. Five acres is an average size for an Indiana vineyard. Three to 10 acres of wine grapes is a good way to diversify or for a retirement activity.
Average production is five tons per acre.
Five hundred dollars a ton is the vineyard- gate current price. Soil erosion in sloping vineyards is of little consequence. It can be controlled by grass between vine rows. Good sources of information on wine grape production and marketing are available through the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service and the Indiana Wine Grape Council. Tree Fruits Tree fruits, particularly apples, are better suited than agronomic crops on sloping, poor soil that is typical of much of CRP acreage.