The US state of Wisconsin is known mostly for its cheese, but now the state wants to raise table grapes to the same level.

Some local growers have been growing seeded grapes, but it has never been a major crop for the region.

But the local department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection has afforded a $22,500 grant to fund research into a variety of seedless table grapes that can weather the harsh Wisconsin winters.

Agriculture officials said grant money will help find and popularise locally-suitable table grapes. The money would fund grape-growing experiments at the University of Wisconsin in Madison.

Rod Nilsestuen, Wisconsin's secretary of agriculture, said the state project would take pressure off local growers. "Growers and producers don't have to go trial and error, trial and error, trial and error," said Nilsestuen.

Researchers have already planted several varieties of table grapes and vines will bear fruit within three years.

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