Sign-Up Period for Buy Local Grants Now Open

Farmers and others in Wisconsin’s food industry who want to grow their local markets are encouraged to apply in the 2018 round of Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants. Managed by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, the grants can help farms and business more efficiently process, market and distribute food in local markets including stores, schools and institutions.

“Just as a wide variety of foods makes for a healthy diet, a variety of farms and agribusinesses makes for a healthy economy,” said BLBW Program Manager Kietra Olson. “We encourage growers, processors and distributors of diverse products to apply, and we look forward to funding some innovative ideas.”

A total of $200,000 is available in grant funding; the maximum award for each project is $50,000. Grant applicants must provide a cash or in-kind match of at least 50 percent of the total project budget.

Each proposal must include a cover page, a completed budget template and three-page project description. Applications must be received by September 14, with winners being announced in December.

Since its inception in 2008, the program has funded 58 projects, totaling more than $1.6 million.

For more information, call the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin department at DATCP at 608-224-5112.

–Wisconsin Ag Connection