Governor Holden has signed legislation aimed primarily at providing new production and marketing options for the state’s farmers and farmer-owned cooperatives. But, it also helps Missouri’s wine industry. Deputy Agriculture Director Peter Hofherr says the money raised as a result of this law will be used to help identify grapes that will hold up better during the harsh weather conditions sometimes experienced in Missouri. The legislation will add a 6-cent tax to the price of each gallon of wine, with the money used for gene research. The tax is expected to raise about $500,000 a year.