Posted: 10.11.2010

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) invites small to midsized producers and farmers in need of technical assistance to apply to the Producers First Program.

To participate, producers identify a need for technical assistance and can receive up to $3,000 to hire a consultant to help address that need. Examples of technical assistance include but are not limited to: market development, business and whole farm planning, accounting and financial organization, packaging and label development, facility planning, data management, legal services, grant writing, and food safety.

Through this program, Coulee View Family Farms received assistance setting up an accounting program; LotFotl Community Farm received assistance negotiating a land transfer; and The Rustic Table Meat CSA received assistance managing client and order data.

Any Wisconsin farmer or producer may participate, though funds are limited and not all producers who apply will receive funding.  Preference may be given to producers selling at least 75% of their products to be consumed within 300 miles of the farm. Applicants are encouraged to propose joint projects in cooperation with other producers in need of similar technical assistance.  Participants are required to provide a minimum 10% cost-share toward the technical assistance.

The producer may identify a consultant with the experience and expertise needed to provide the assistance. A list of consultants is available upon request.

Producers First is a Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin program that supports the growing local food market sector of Wisconsin’s economy.  Applicants with a project that may benefit the local food market sector as well as an individual farm are encouraged to apply.

Applications to Producers First will be accepted through December 31.  Funded projects generally begin 6-8 weeks after an application is submitted. Application materials are available on the DATCP web site: http://datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/directmktg/blbw/producers_first.jsp. Contact Keefe Keeley at 608-224-5095 or via email at keefe.keeley@wi.gov for more information. 

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