Release Date: January 14, 2020
Media Contact: Rick Hummell, Public Information Officer, (608) 224-5041,
Richard.Hummell@wisconsin.gov
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MADISON – Wisconsin farmers
and businesses seeking to grow their local markets are encouraged to apply for 2020
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin producer and processor grants. Proposals must be
received by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer
Protection (DATCP) by noon, February 28, 2020.
Each proposal must include a cover page, a completed budget
template and project description. Applications are available online at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/BuyLocalBuyWisconsinGrants.aspx.
As a result of the budget Governor Tony Evers signed, a total
of $300,000 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. Grants may not be used to fund
feasibility projects or startups. Grants will be awarded following a competitive
review process. The target date for grant award notification is June 1, 2020.
Qualified applicants include individuals, groups or businesses
involved in Wisconsin production agriculture, food processing, food
distribution, food warehousing, retail food establishments or agricultural
tourism operations. Proposals could include collaborations or partnerships.
Since its inception in 2008, the program has funded 58
projects, totaling more than $1.6 million. Administered by DATCP, the grants
can help farms and business more efficiently produce, process, market and
distribute food in local markets including stores, schools and institutions. Previous
grant recipients have generated nearly $10 million in new local food sales,
created and retained 211 jobs, and benefitted more than 2,700 producers and
2,900 markets.
Anyone with questions about the application process can contact
DATCP Grants Specialist Juli Speck at juli.speck@wisconsin.gov
or 608-224-5134.
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