Local ag and food groups eligible for process funds
The 2024 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) grants are open to applicants until Sept. 9, when the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) will award up to $200,000 in funding.
BLBW is a competitive grant program, designed to strengthen Wisconsin’s agriculture and food industries, by helping farms and businesses more efficiently process, market and distribute locally grown food products. The grants provide consumers with access to more Wisconsingrown food products, including organic vegetables, hops varieties, hazelnut products, locally grown grain and other value-added products.
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. Funded projects must report on increased local food sales, created and retained jobs, and new investments.
Projects can receive grant funds for up to three years. Grant requests must be between $5,000 and $50,000. Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services, materials and supplies. Projects must show a one-to-one match of cash or in-kind support accounting for at least 50 percent of the total project budget.
The DATCP will use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects. Selected project contracts and work may begin in November 2024. Grant information and application materials are available at datcp.wi.gov.
