UW-Extension in partnership with Michael Fields Agricultural Institute (MFAI), USDA Rural Development, USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE), and Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) hosts four one-day Agricultural Grants Workshops held at four different locations around the state that help farmers and other value-added food entrepreneurs learn about available agricultural grants, how to put together strong grant proposals, and about other financing options.
The workshop consists of five main components:
- An overview to agricultural grants, grant writing and what makes a strong grant proposal.
- A lunch-time presentation from a local grant awardee talking about his/her grant experience.
- Description and overview of Ag Grants from grant managers for:
- USDA Value Added Producer Grant (VAPG),
- USDA-SARE grants including the SARE Farmer Rancher Grant,
- USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant, and
- WI-DATCP Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) Grant.
- A group exercise that allows participants to review actual proposals and gain hands-on experience at grant-writing.
- Info on other financial options (FSA loans, bank loans and NRCS cost share programs) specific to Wisconsin.
The locations for the 2015 Ag Grants Workshops are:
- Hixton – Sept 17
- Merrill – Sept 18
- West Bend – Sept 23
- Platteville – Sept 30
Cost is $15, which includes lunch and all materials.
Download the 2015 Ag Grants Workshop flier with full agenda and information on how to register.
