Business Development Resources
|
USDA-Score
| Farm business resources. Score is proud to partner with the USDA to provide business mentorship to help farmers and ranchers succeed.
| Yes
|
Business Development Resources
|
UW-Madison Small Business Center
| No-cost consulting and non-credit courses to help businesses from startup through growth.
|
No
|
Business Development Resources
|
Compeer Grant Programs
| Agricultural grants and rural community grants.
| No
|
Business Development Resources
|
UW-Madison
| Wisconsin Partnership Grant Program.
| No
|
Business Development Resources
|
Good Agriculture
| Grant writing and farm accounting.
| No
|
Business Development Resources
|
Olivia Tincani
| Farm business technical assistance.
| No
|
Business Development Resources
|
Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship
| Structured system of training designed to prepare individuals for skilled occupations by combining on-the-job training with related instruction.
| No
|
Conservation and Pollinators
|
Farmers.gov -
Bee in the Know for Honey Producers
| Assistance for honey producers - From plants to product.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Dairy Realty
| Website listings of dairy farm/operation sales throughout the nation.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Farm Commons
| Empowers agriculture communities to resolve their own legal vulnerabilities within an ecosystem of support.
| Yes
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Farmers' Legal Action Group (FLAG)
| A nonprofit law center dedicated to providing legal services and support to family farmers and their communities.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Farm Aid Resource Guide
| Guide to find legal resources as they pertain to issues in farming.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
How to File a Discrimination Complaint - USDA
| USDA portal for filing a discrimination complaint with the federal office.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Modest Means Program
| Designed to assist people whose income is too high to qualify for free legal services, but too low to pay a lawyer's standard rate, provides lawyer referral and hotline for questions.
| No
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Rural Justice Task Force
| Consulting for elements of civil rights discrimination claims.
| Yes
|
Farm Acquisitions / Legal / Real Estate
|
Fences in Agricultural Areas Law
| Fence co-owner responsibility, WI constitutional statement, 2021.
| No
|
Farm Staffing and Insurance
|
Agri-Services Agency
| ASA - Health & Farm Insurance.
| No
|
Farm Staffing and Insurance
| | Agriculture focused job board for placing an ad or looking for work.
| No
|
Farm Staffing and Insurance
|
Ag Careers
|
Agriculture focused job board with options for placing an ad and looking for work.
| No
|
Farm Staffing and Insurance
|
Farm Staffing Management
| Becoming the farm employer of choice – Farm Management. | No
|
Farm Staffing and Insurance
|
Hastings Mutual Insurance
| Farm Insurance - WFU members receive a 9% discount (not always great at covering veggie operations). | No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
Food Finance Institute | Help food-focused businesses raise the money they need to grow.
| No
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Financing / Loans / Grants
|
FoodSystem6 | David LeZaks, connections to financing partners to help purchase a farm and launch a food enterprise.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
| | FSA micro lending program up to $50,000 for farmers.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
Farmers.gov
| Loans for
agricultural producers. | Yes
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
FSA Emergency Loan Program
| Emergency loan program, contingent on disaster declaration. | No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
WI Farm Bureau HSA Info
| WI Farm Bureau Health Savings Accounts (HSA's).
| No |
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
Steward - Funding the Future of Farming
| Steward is transforming agriculture by equipping human-scale regenerative farms with the capital they need to grow - Funding the Growth of Regenerative Agriculture.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
Compeer
| Financing and aid for beginning farmers - Beginning Farmers.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
WI Office of Rural Prosperity
| Apply for and manage grants - Bipartisan Infrastructure Law Resource Guide.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
WI Farmers Union Foundation Grant
| The Wisconsin Farmers Union and Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation make grants of various sizes, dependent upon available funding. A typical amount is from $50-$1,000. We do award a few larger grants. Eligibility Grant requests must meet the Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation's mission. The Wisconsin Farmers Union Foundation supports projects and programs for all ages that foster family farming, rural life and public education on the important role of cooperatives and agriculture in society.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
WI Cooperative Development Grant
| Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) works with Wisconsin's businesses and communities to build an economy that works for everyone.
| No
|
Financing / Loans / Grants
|
Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory
| Marquette University's Raynor Library annually publishes Foundations in Wisconsin: A Directory. It is the only directory of its kind which covers every active grant making foundation in the state of Wisconsin. The foundation profiles include contact information, total assets, grants paid, and areas of interest. It is available in both print and online formats. This is an archive of previous years of the directory. Foundations in Wisconsin is embargoed for three years before the full text is made available.
|
|
Miscellaneous
|
ATTRA - Sustainable Agriculture
| Sustainable Agriculture Program. Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas.
| Yes
|
| Miscellaneous |
American Veterinary Medical Association
| The AVMA is the nation's leading advocate for the veterinary profession. Representing more than 105,000 members, we protect, promote and advance the needs of all veterinarians and those they serve.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Annie's Project
| Annie's Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing educational programs designed to strengthen women's roles in modern agricultural enterprises. Annie's Project's mission is to empower women in agriculture to be successful through education, networks and resources.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Indigo Carbon
| Leveraging the most advanced science and technology, we deliver proven ag sustainability programs and biological products at scale. Our solutions strengthen farmers' livelihoods and empower companies to meet their goals, today and tomorrow.
| Yes
|
Miscellaneous
|
Emergency Action Plan Guidance for Dairy Farmers
| Comprehensive-Emergency-Action-Plan Guidance Plan.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Family Farm Defenders
| Defends consumers right to know presence of Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH) in milk supply.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Project Recovery
| Provides emotional support, coping strategies, and aims to connect farmers to resources.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
WWOOF USA
| Worldwide effort to link visitors with organic farmers - Can connect beginning farmers to internship opportunities around world.
| Yes
|
Miscellaneous
|
Wisconsin Farm Sitters
| Help WI farmers find suitable farm sitters if they need to leave their farm.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Land Stewardship Project
| Land Access - Identifying Land. Land Stewardship Project's Farmland Clearing House.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Savanna Institute
| AgroForestry. Inspired by the oak savanna native to the region, we envision a multifunctional agriculture in the Midwest US based on agroforestry systems of integrated trees, crops, and livestock that fosters ecological resilience, climate stability, economic prosperity, and vibrant communities.
| Yes
|
Miscellaneous
|
Mental Health Resources
| WFU recognize the unique challenges and pressures they face in their profession, and we are committed to providing support and resources to address these concerns.
| No
|
Miscellaneous
|
Marbleseed
| Marbleseed Online Resource Directory.
| Yes
|
Miscellaneous
|
Marbleseed
| Marbleseed Online ORGANIC Resource Guide.
| Yes
|
Planning and Management
|
AgPlan
| Cloud business planning templates & free online tool which can be used to help develop your business plan.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
AgriSafe Network
| A national network of ag pros committed to sharing non-proprietary info ensuring resources and trainings are widely disseminated to reduce farmer & rancher stress. Specialized veteran services, also.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators
| Beginning Farmer and Rancher Coordinators.
| Yes
|
Planning and Management
|
NFU Beginning Farmer Institute
| National Farmers Union's Beginning Farmer Institute (BFI) is a free, online, 10-week intensive program intended to improve the health of your farm or ranch business. The program is open to producers ages 18 and up and is inclusive of all operation types and scales of production. For people farming under 10 years.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Small Business Development Center
| Businesss planning consulting.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
WI Department of Financial Institutions
| Register as an LLC or corporation.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Emerging Farmers Conference
| Resources and information for new and emerging growers and producers.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Edible-Alpha Learning Center
| Food Finance Institute - Learn to successfully grow a financially viable food business.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Existing Business Policy Guide
| Farmers who want to keep working in their existing business, including farms and disabled farmers.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
USDA-NIFA beginning farmer and rancher program
| Farm Answers - Largest source of information for beginning farmers.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
University of Minnesota - SUSTAG
| University of Minnesota Institute for Sustainable Agriculture.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
GAP Certification
| Removing barriers to USDA GAP programs - offers a unique way for producers to access markets & verify their use of sound agricultural & food safety practices.
| No
|
Planning and Management
|
Farmland Access Hub
| The Farmland Access Hub is a consortium of partners including non-profits, government agencies, local companies, and private citizens dedicated to assisting beginning farmers with their quest for land tenure. Navigators work with emerging farmers to offer support and provide resources to help them reach their land ownership or rental goals.
| No
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Visas for farm workers
| Contact Alejandra Pinto, Founder and Owner,
(763) 237-4716.
| Yes
|
| Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups |
Mezclada
| How to Buy a Farm Business. Online training and network provided by Mezclada. Contact Emily Reno, Founder and Director, (785) 840-6880, emily@mezclada.co.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Motiva Dairy Consulting - Spanish/English for Dairy
| Facebook page to educate and share English language, through a Spanish language platform.
| No
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
LFPA Resource Guide
| LFPA Grant Resource Guide in Spanish.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Puntes Bridges
| Puentes/Bridges: Building bridges between the community that immigrates to work here and our rural and farming community.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
LFPA Resource Guide
| LFPA Grant Resource Guide in Hmoonb.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Minority owned businesses
| US Small Business Association SBA - Minority-owned businesses.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Minority Business Development Agency
| Promotes the growth of minority owned businesses through the mobilization and advancement of public and private sector programs, policy, and research - Minority Business Development Agency | U.S. Department of Commerce.
| No
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Latino Economic Development Center-Agriculture
| Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC).
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
USDA Farm Service Agency FSA Support
| Minority and Women Farmers & Ranchers Resources.
| No
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Minorities in Ag, Natural Resources, & Related Science (MANRRS)
| Support and resources for minorities in Agriculture. Our Mission at MANRRS is to promote academic and professional advancement by empowering minorities in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences.
| No
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
Wisconsin Economic Development
| Minority Business Development Education and Research. To build a successful business—especially as a member of an underrepresented community—takes vision and fearless determination. WEDC and its statewide network of partners are here to help you succeed and grow. We collaborate with other agencies, corporations, and not-for-profit minority business associations to provide financial and operational assistance, resources, statewide networking opportunities, and more.
| Yes
|
Resources for Historically Disadvantaged Groups
|
WI Women's Business Initiative Corporation (WWBIC)
| Assists individuals who are interested in starting, strengthening, or expanding businesses with a focus on women.
| Yes
|
Succession Planning
|
The Farm's Legacy
| Intra-Family Succession Guidebook - Passing the farm onto the next generation.
| No
|
Succession Planning
|
Transition Point Business Advisors
| Succession planning. Operators of "The DIRTT Project Live," dedicated internal resource for training and transition.
| No
|
Succession Planning
|
Center for Agriculture and Food Systems
| Farm Transfer Toolkit - Asset transfer and financial planning resources and assistance.
| Yes
|
Succession Planning
|
Heirs' Property Relending Program (HPRP)
| The Heirs' Property Relending Program (HPRP) can help you resolve heirs' land ownership and succession issues on agricultural land.
| Yes
|
USDA
|
USDA Farm Loan Discovery Tool
| Loan Assistance Tool. Are you interested in learning more about FSA Farm Loan Programs
Start your journey with FSA and find the farm loan that is right for you!
| Yes
|
USDA
|
USDA ERS
| Commodity Costs and Returns listings, recent and historical.
| No
|
USDA
|
NASS - WI
| Land Sales research and stats tool-USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service -Wisconsin - Land Sales.
| No
|
USDA
|
NASS Quick Stats Website (can be used for land rent)
| National Agriculture Statistics Service Search Tool.
| No
|
USDA
|
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) for Pollinators
| FSA Pollinator Project Reports
| No
|
USDA
|
Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement
| The Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement develops and maintains partnerships focused on solutions to challenges facing rural and underserved communities in the United States, and connects those communities to the education, tools, and resources available to them through Department of Agriculture programs and initiatives. We facilitate partnerships and offer education and resources to foster opportunity, wealth creation, and asset building in rural and underserved communities.
| No |
USDA
|
USDA Resources for Underserved Farmers & Ranchers
| Get Started! A guide to help Underserved farmers get started in growing their business. Focused on Minority, Women, Veteran, Beginning, and Limited Resource Producers.
| No
|
USDA
|
USDA Climate-Smart Market Project Map
| Small and underserved agricultural producers are facing the impacts of climate change head on. With limited resources, these producers have the most to gain from leveraging the growing market demand for agricultural goods produced in a sustainable, climate-smart way. That's why expanding opportunities for small and underserved producers is a key goal of Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities. Various programs that can benefit underserved farmers.
| No
|
USDA
|
USDA Rural Development Summary
| Rural Development Program Summary.
| No
|
USDA
|
Agricultural Marketing Service
| The Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) voluntary Audit Verification Program verifies the participant has taken proactive measures to reduce the risk of contamination by adhering to generally recognized industry best practices.
|
|
USDA
|
Agricultural Marketing Service
| The Transition to Organic Partnership Program works with Marbleseed to provide technical assistance and support for farmers transitioning to organic.
|
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Wisconsin Women in Conservation (WiWiC) | WiWiC is a state-wide collaborative effort led by the Michael Fields Agricultural Institute in partnership with Renewing the Countryside, Marbleseed, and Wisconsin Farmers Union. A five-year multi-faceted project funded by the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), WiWiC brings together Wisconsin women landowners to learn about conservation practices, resources, and funding opportunities. Able to connect landowners to conservation resources or conservation plans.
| No
|
| USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources |
USDA Climate Hubs - climate quick reference guides
| The Climate Quick referance guides offer a simple way for users to view historic and projected weather and climate change information at the state and county levels. The easy-to-use guides show key data changes in climate most impactful to agricultural production in the local areas including max temperatures and precipitation amounts by season.
| Yes
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
The Midwest Climate Resource Network (MCRN)
| The Midwest Climate Resource Network (MCRN) is a library of resources for climate professionals in the Midwest. The goal of the MCRN is to provide connections to resources that might otherwise be hard to find and to share and expand the knowledge and resources generated within our communities.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Producer Led Watershed Protection Grants
| The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) provides funding to producer-led groups that focus on nonpoint source pollution abatement activities through the Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant Program (PLWPG).
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Agri-Solar Clearinghouse
| The AgriSolar Clearinghouse is a nationwide hub developed by the National Center for Appropriate Technology to connect businesses, landowners, and researchers with trusted resources to support the growth of co-located solar and sustainable agriculture, also known as agrisolar or agrivoltaic development.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
American Solar Grazing Association
| The American Solar Grazing Association (ASGA) supports and promotes solar grazing by identifying best practices, creating networking systems for the exchange of ideas and innovation, providing educational materials, and facilitating connections between solar developers and farmers.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
MREA Grow Solar - solar resources for farmers
| Comprehensive Steps to Solar guide, where you'll find everything you need to know about the process of going solar. Or, if you're curious about the benefits and considerations as a consumer, dive into our Consumer Guide. The consumer guide has information about choosing an installer, consumer protection, and financing.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Dept of Energy - Farmer's Guide to Going Solar
| Guide for farmers regarding ways to consider solar energy—by leasing farmland for solar; installing a solar system on a house, barn, or other building; or through agrivoltaics. Agrivoltaics is defined as agriculture, such as crop production, livestock grazing, and pollinator habitat, located underneath solar panels and/or between rows of solar panels.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowships for farmers
| The Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Fellowship curriculum provides farmers, foresters, and advisors with the information they need to adapt to and mitigate the effects of climate change. We also work to bring climate change into advisors' outreach programs, and support them to talk about climate change with peers and colleagues. The programs are designed to increase knowledge and empower broad adoption of climate adaptation and mitigation practices in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Midwest climate collaborative
| The mission of the Midwest Climate Collaborative is to facilitate the development of a coherent Midwestern response to the climate crisis through acceleration of climate action, knowledge generation, and leader development led by a cross-sector collaboration of key organizations throughout the Midwest.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
US Forest Service Community Navigators
| Resource guide for land management and planning.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
International Biochar Initiative
| Learn more about the benefits of Biochar in Agriculture and the environmental impacts.
| No
|
USDA - NRCS - EQIP Conservation Resources
|
Xerces Society - Pollinator Conservation Resources
| Here you'll find region-specific collections of publications, native plant and seed suppliers, and other resources to aid in planning, establishing, restoring, and maintaining pollinator habitat—as well as materials to help you learn about the species of invertebrates and native plants you might encounter. For more resources, see our Publications Library or learn about our Pollinator Conservation Program.
| No
|
UW Resources
|
UW Insect Diagnostic Lab
| The University of Wisconsin Insect Diagnostic Lab was established in 1978 to provide timely and accurate identification of insects, insect-damaged materials, spiders, and other arthropods from around Wisconsin. Part of the mission of the IDL is to provide support to the county extension offices throughout Wisconsin. In addition, the diagnostic lab provides diagnostic services for the general public, private companies, agricultural producers, pest control professionals, the green industry, medical professionals, and other groups.
| No
|
UW Resources
|
UW Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic
| Mitigate disease in your farming operation. The University of Wisconsin-Madison/Extension Plant Disease Diagnostics Clinic (PDDC) provides assistance in identifying plant diseases and provides educational information on plant diseases and their control.
| No
|
UW Resources
|
Community Food Systems
| The Community Food System Program promotes thriving, just and resilient place-based food systems. We support community organizations, Tribal partners, local governments, small-scale farms and food businesses, and community gardens.
| |
UW Resources
|
Health & Well-Being: Foodshare at Farmers' Markets
| SNAP (called FoodShare in Wisconsin) provides nutrition assistance to people with low income. FoodShare users can use EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) at local farmers' markets to buy fresh, healthy food and connect with people who produce it.
|
|
DATCP
|
Wisconsin Farm Center
| The Farmer Wellness Program provides mental health professionsals with counseling services for farmers.
| |
DATCP
|
Wisconsin Farm Center
| The Farmer Wellness Program provides mental health professionsals with counseling services for farmers.
| |
DATCP
|
Wisconsin Farm Center
| The Farm Mediation and Arbitration Program can help resolve farm business disagreements in a manner fair to all parties.
| |
DATCP
|
Wisconsin Farm Center
| DATCP Veteran Resources connects veterans to training opportunities, programs and career resources.
| |
DATCP
|
Wisconsin Farm Center
| The Herd Based Diagnostic Center provides veterinary consulting and diagnostic testing services for dairy herds of all sizes.
| |
DATCP
|
Division of Food and Recreational Safety
| Provides general food safety inforamtion as well as license and inspections of food related businesses including processors and caterers.
| |
DATCP
|
Safe Wisconsin Produce
| Provides resources to explain the Food Safety Modernization Act.
| |
Wisconsin Specific
|
WI Agricultural Tourism Association
| The Wisconsin Agricultural Tourism Association is a non-profit organization open to ag-tourism related businesses in Wisconsin. We welcome growers, farmers, bakers, cheesemakers, farmers markets, wineries, breweries, distilleries, corn mazes, wedding venues, historic agriculture, petting farms, farm stay vacations and orchards. Our members also include fairs and festivals that celebrate Wisconsin as well as convention and visitor's bureaus, chambers of commerce, grower associations and ag service businesses. Listings of agritourism locations in WI.
| No
|
Wisconsin Specific
|
WEDC for BIL
| WEDC's Office of Rural Prosperity has offers a resource guide dedicated to providing communities with essential information about the BIL, and how communities can find details on grant opportunities, tutorials on how to apply for grants, and contact details for consultants with expertise in grantwriting, among other resources.
| Yes
|
Wisconsin Specific
|
Wisconsin Potato & Vegetable Growers Association-Wisconsin
| Headquartered in Antigo, Wisconsin, the Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association supports Wisconsin agriculture by helping our growers conduct and utilize the latest research and technologies, garner government support, produce environmentally sound research, and stay in touch with consumers.
| No
|
Wisconsin Specific
|
Wisconsin Veteran Farmer Coalition
| Assisting military veterans that are interested in learning more about farming and getting involved in agriculture. The Wisconsin Farm Center is able to assist by providing access to resources, offering guidance on developing a business plan to help kick-start a farm, and offering a differentiated veteran farmer logo that can be used on agriculture products.
| No
|
Wisconsin Specific
|
WI Immigration Law Group
| Practice areas include immigration and temporary work visas.
| Yes
|
Wisconsin Specific
|
DHS: WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP)
| The Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) connects members of WIC (Special Supplemental Program for Women, Infants, and Children) with Wisconsin farmers. WIC members get a check to spend at farmers markets. About 1,000 farmers are part of the program. To apply for WIC FMNP, contact your WIC office.
| |
Wisconsin Specific
|
Double Dollars: Madison and Dane Co.
| The Double Dollars program offers FoodShare shoppers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $20 per market day, at participating farmers' markets. These tokens can be used towards the purchase of fruits and vegetables. The funds spent by shoppers directly support vendors, who are fully reimbursed for every Double Dollar redeemed.
| |