FPS is a department at the University of California, Davis, which combines elements of public programs with self-supporting activities. Because we are not a conventional nursery, we like to let new customers know a little about how we provide services and materials. Some business practices that are unique to FPS are explained below.

  FPS is dedicated to the distribution of professionally identified, disease-tested plant materials produced by UC researchers or improved by technology developed by UC researchers. At this time, FPS is responsible for grape, strawberry, fruit tree, nut tree, sweet potato, and rose programs. The FPS importation, quarantine, and clean stock programs for grapevines are the largest in the United States.

  The California Grapevine Registration and Certification program exists to maintain plant material integrity as it is increased to commercial quantities by California nurseries. FPS is the source of grape foundation stock for the certification program, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is the certifying agency. At FPS, sophisticated, expensive technologies can be efficiently applied to the foundation collection before increase begins at commercial levels.

  When demand exceeds supply, FPS grape materials are allocated among customers who order before the annual November 15th order deadline. Priority is given to customers in the following order: nursery participants in the California Grapevine Registration and Certification Program; customers in California; customers outside California but within the U.S.; and foreign customers. Materials that remain after the allocation are sold on a first-come-first-served basis to customers who order after November 15th

The order of allocation priority was chosen to facilitate the widest possible use of California foundation stock. Since the California Registration and Certification program participants will be multiplying scarce foundation stock, unlike growers planting it directly in commercial vineyards, participants are given high priority. California customers are given priority over out-of-country and out-of-state customers because California taxes help to support the University of California and California nurseries support FPS.

Part of the FPS mission is to ensure fair, equitable allocation of plant material when quantities are limited. A long-term, constant supply of material is also an important goal of our program. The composition of the collection is balanced between grape selections that may become important in the future and selections popular in the short term.

It is important to note that customers who are not certification program participants sometimes receive very little or no material, regardless of how much or how early they order.

  An order confirmation is returned to customers after they order but before any materials are supplied. It indicates whether the materials requested are in the collection and available. A confirmation does not guarantee that FPS will supply the quantities requested. The amount actually supplied to you will depend on other orders received by the deadline, the amount of material actually harvested, and your ranking in the allocation system.

  All customers are required to sign an FPS Grower Agreement when they place an order. This contract obligates customers to pay FPS $.02/propagative unit if they propagate from FPS materials. User fees were created to generate income to support the FPS grapevine program. The Grower Agreement is a legal contract. The associated customer records are subject to audit, and legal action will be taken against customers who do not pay user fees owed. It is important to take this responsibility seriously when purchasing FPS materials.

  Grape materials are usually not immediately available from FPS. Hardwood cuttings are harvested in the dormant season and shipped out in February and March each year. Mist propagated plants are made after customers place an order. The amount of time to make plants varies according to the season, the selection requested, and the number of plants being produced for you and other customers. Upon request, FPS will provide you with an approximate date when your plants will be ready. Mist propagated plant orders may take from months to years to be filled. You may check the status of your order by calling the FPS office at (530) 752-3590.

  Funding to support all FPS activities must be generated through sales, user fees, and grants. Prices charged reflect the high cost of implementing the FPS mission. Some costly practices include procedures designed to produce and document foundation materials for clean stock programs; processing many small orders; providing information to a broad clientele; and maintaining many grapevine selections that are used infrequently. In summary, unique business practices are used to make materials originating from FPS available to as many users as possible with the resources available. In addition, we endeavor to preserve and enhance the collection so valuable grape materials will be available in the long-term future. This explanation of the underlying grape program philosophy and mission is provided to help new FPS customers better understand and use the program.

If you have questions about this program, please feel free to contact FPS: fps@ucdavis.edu, (530) 752-3590, FAX: (530) 752-2132.