A Local Farm Receives Funding

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced it has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to award $3.1 million for 41 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI) to strengthen local and regional food systems. Through this program, DATCP will fund 41 projects with Equipment Grants to support middle of the supply chain infrastructure. Additional projects are still being reviewed and will be announced soon.

Among the funded projects is the Driftless Berry Grower group, under the leadership of Good Thunder Farm in Richland Center. It will purchase 12 pieces of equipment for storage, juicing, freeze drying and distilling elderberries, aronia berries, and currants. This group of 12 small, beginning berry farmers will build middle of the supply chain infrastructure for processing these crops of growing importance and popularity in Wisconsin, strengthening rural economies.