Article: Before you undergo any large-scale business investment, you should have some idea how much capital you’ll need and when you will produce a profit. With vineyards, this is especially important because most vintners don’t see a profit for at least three years. Every crop is different, but you should plan to spend about $12,000 an acre for your first year of production. This is the start up year, and this cost includes all of your tools, equipment, pesticides, trellising, and the plants themselves. During the second year, this number decreases dramatically, typically costing between $1,200 and $1,500 an acre and even further in the third year and thereafter costing about $1,000 an acre.  Have a plan to finance these first years and set aside more money than you need. You are more likely to suffer set backs and concerns in the first few years that will require additional funding. Are you going to sell them as fruit, sell them to winemakers, or produce your own wine for sale? Whatever your plan to recoup your investment, make connections and strategize early. You can visit local retailers yourself or sell you wine to businesses that promote and sell these products. Be frank, and don’t hesitate to ask for help with your business plan. Winemaking may be a competitive industry, but most vintners are happy to share their knowledge and experience with those who are interested in learning more about the industry. It never hurts to reach out and ask for help from the winemaking community in your area.  You can start by searching for local wineries and winemaker clubs or associations. Contact these organizations via email or phone and ask, if they’d be willing to talk to you about the process of growing grapes for wine. You can start with something simple like, “I’m considering starting my own vineyard, and I wondered if you’d be willing to share some of your experiences with me.” If you find a vineyard or vintner you admire, ask, “Would you be willing to let me work with you during harvest and wine production?” This hands on experience is often more informative than all your research and interviews combined. If you’re planning to sell wine, you’ll need to go through any licensing, sales regulations, and tax applications required by your local regulatory agency. The Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau handles these regulations in the US. The Canadian Association of Liquor Jurisdiction and the Business and Enterprise Department of Alcohol Licensing determine regulations in Canada and the UK respectively.  Ask other local wine producers about the process in your area. They are your best resource because they’ve been through it all before. Conduct an online search for regulations in your state and country. Read about liquor licensing to find out the specific steps to obtaining the licensing necessary to sell wine. Make contact with local retailers, call wine distributors, and consider setting a tasting room and shop on your property. This should all be part of your business plan, but make sure to start promoting your product long before you plan to sell it. You’ll be surprised how much red tape is required to get your bottle on local retailer’s shelves. In most states, you have to complete an application for approval through your regulatory board for each sales location.  Invite local retailers to visit your vineyard for a tour before the wine is ready for sale. Take them through your process. This build interest in your product. Then, invite them back for a tasting once the wine is available. If you have a parcel of land within a specific American Viticulture Area, you can use this as a sales tool and resource, since each AVA has its own unique flavor attributes. This information is available through local Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade representatives.  Offer local retailers one or more cases of wine from your first crop at a reduced cost to encourage purchase and sales. Provide free tasting in retailer locations to encourage them to keep your wine on the shelf, once they’ve sold out of the original stock.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Create a business plan. Have a plan to sell your product. Talk to local vineyard owners. Complete your regulatory forms. Market your wine early in the production process.
Article: Car seats are tested for their performance in crashes, and various safety organizations publish the results. These organizations and safety ratings vary by country; Australia, for example, has some of the strictest safety ratings for car seats. In Canada, Transport Canada publishes information about car seats. In the United States, consult Consumer Reports or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for information about safety ratings. Additional information can also be found at the National Child Passenger Safety Board’s website. If a particular car seat has defects in it, its manufacturer may have issued a recall. The car seat would then be returned to the manufacturer for a new seat or a refund. When you are looking into different car seats and brands, check to see if there have been any recalls on the particular car seat model or the brand itself. Search online for “car seat recall” to find the most up-to-date information. All car seats have basic features that will ensure a solid level of safety and comfort for your infant. Many car seats do, however, have additional features. These might include additional side-impact cushioning, extra padding all around the seat, or an anti-rebound bar at the foot of the car seat. At the end of a major crash, during the rebound, the car seat might bounce up and hit the seat in front of it. The anti-rebound bar, available in newer seats, is intended to minimize the impact that the car seat will take. There should be one strap per limb: one for each upper arm and one for each thigh, as well as one for the area between the child's legs. There are alternative restraint systems, such as plastic shields and T-bar restraints, but the strap system is more customizable, which can make the seat more comfortable for your child’s size. Starting in 2002, all infant car seats were required to be compatible with the LATCH system, which stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children. The LATCH system allows infant car seats to attach directly into a car seat rather than being held in place by the seatbelt. Hooking up directly into a car seat will maximize the safety of your child in your vehicle. The LATCH system is compatible with or known by different names in other countries. In Canada, the system is called the Universal Attachment System (UAS). In Europe, the system is called ISOFIX, and ISOFIX compatible in Australia. As car seats are used, their materials deteriorate and can become less reliable. Car seat manufacturers imprint their seats with expiration dates, typically 6 years after the date of manufacture. This date can usually be found imprinted into the plastic on the back or bottom of a car seat. Ensure that the car seat has not been in a crash; this might compromise the integrity of the seat and its materials. If the seat is older than 6 years, it is not recommended for use.
Question: What is a summary of what this article is about?
Research safety ratings for a range of car seats. Pay attention to recalls. Consider the car seat’s safety features. Make sure the infant car seat has a 5-point safety harness. Choose an infant car seat with LATCH tethers. Only buy or borrow used seats from trusted family or friends.