Grants to Wisconsin Food Producers, Schools, Groups, and Nonprofits to Benefit Local Agricultural and Food Markets

Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) Grant

Agency

State

GrantWatch ID#

160454

Funding Source

Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)

Geographic Focus

USA: Wisconsin

Important Dates

Deadline: 08/18/23 5:00 PM

Grant Description

Grants of up to $50,000 to Wisconsin food producers, schools, groups, and nonprofit organizations to benefit state agricultural and food markets. Funding is intended for creative projects that address the needs of and provide improvements to the state's local food system. Projects should enhance development through improved techniques for processing, production, distribution, and marketing, with the ultimate goal of expanding the state’s local food system.

The Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) program seeks to increase awareness and consumption of locally produced foods and related products and to increase the production and improve the distribution of foods and related products for local consumption. The Buy Local Buy Wisconsin Grant program is an economic development program designed to help the Wisconsin agricultural and food industry find ways to improve food production, processing, marketing, and distribution with the ultimate goal of expanding Wisconsin’s local food system.

Projects must clearly demonstrate a need, show creativity, and benefit the local food system.

DATCP may award grants to individuals or organizations to fund projects that are designed to increase the sale of Wisconsin agricultural or food products to local purchasers. This includes grants for projects to create, expand, diversify, or promote any of the following:

Local food marketing systems and market outlets.
Local food and cultural tourism routes.
Production, processing, marketing, and distribution of Wisconsin food products primarily for sale to local purchasers.

For a list of Eligible Expenses please see: https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents2/BLBWFY24RFP.pdf#page=5.

For a list of grant examples, see: https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents2/BLBWFY24RFP.pdf#page=7.

Recipient

Additional Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants:
Individual independent producers selling locally; individual independent processors using Wisconsin ingredients that make up 51 percent of their product by weight (it must be demonstrated in the grant application that they are purchasing Wisconsin product by listing their suppliers and their product used); groups of independent producers (e.g. four farms working together); and farmer/rancher cooperatives, grower associations, schools and institutions, food service operations, and non-profits. Producers and processors will receive extra consideration.

Proposals may involve collaborations or partnerships between producers, food businesses, industry, academia or organizations, schools and institutions, and food service operations. Applicants may cooperate with any public or private organization. Applicants MUST supply proof of operation for at least two years, for example, by providing two years of sales figures or profit and loss statements.

Each applicant must designate an individual who has authority to sign a contract with DATCP on its behalf. Each applicant must also indicate an individual who will be the lead person responsible for implementing the project. Each applicant, including co-applicants, must demonstrate a proven ability to carry out all elements of the proposed project. Preference will be given to projects whose lead person or entity has a proven track record of grant management and/or a long-standing track record of strong fiscal experience and capability.

Ineligible

Ineligible Applicants:
- If you have received funding from the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin Grant program within the last four years, you are not eligible to apply.
- If you currently have any grant with DATCP’s Division of Agricultural Development, you are not eligible to apply (this includes Specialty Crop Block Grants, Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants and Dairy Processor Grants).
- Employees of DATCP and immediate family members (i.e., mother, father, brother, sister, spouse, and children) are not eligible to receive a grant or participate as a project collaborator.

This grant does not fund feasibility projects or startups.

For a list of Ineligible Expenses please see: https://datcp.wi.gov/Documents2/BLBWFY24RFP.pdf#page=5

Pre-Application Information

The application period for Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grants will close at 5 p.m. on Friday, August 18, 2023.

The target date for grant award notification is October 1, 2023.

This is a reimbursement grant. Awardees are not given any funds upfront and must prove that they have spent funds before being reimbursed.

Budgets must show 1:1 contribution matching funds equal to at least 50 percent of the total cost of the project.

A webinar was held on February 15, 2023 to discuss creating a proposal and how past applicants were successful. This webinar can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwUhBmwW2Ds.

Additional Funding Information

Estimated Total Program Funding:

$300,000

Estimated Size of Grant

Requests must be between $5,000 and $50,000.

Term of Contract

Project must be completed within two years after contract is signed by DATCP. DATCP may grant a no-cost extension of one year upon request.

Contact Information

Proposals must be submitted to DATCPdadgrants@wisconsin.gov

For questions, contact Brian Williams at the email above or 608.590.7239

2811 Agriculture Drive
P.O. Box 8911
Madison, WI 53708-8911

Grants to Wisconsin Food Producers, Schools, Groups, and Nonprofits to Benefit Local Agricultural and Food Markets

Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) Grant

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