The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced on Jan. 6, 2025, that it has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) to award $23.2 million for 30 projects through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program (RFSI). The 30 Infrastructure Grants announced then and the previously announced 41 Equipment Grants total 71 projects in Wisconsin funded through RFSI to build resilience across the middle of the supply chain while strengthening local and regional food systems.
“These Infrastructure Projects being funded through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure program will build strength and resilience in Wisconsin’s food system, diversify agricultural markets, create new revenue streams for small and mid-sized producers, and provide economic opportunities for local communities,” said USDA Marketing and Regulatory Programs Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt. “USDA is grateful for Wisconsin’s support strengthening local and regional agricultural supply chains.”
“Wisconsin’s farmers, producers, and our agricultural industries are a critical part of our state’s economic success and help make sure we’re getting food to tables, grocery stores, and restaurants across our country and the world over,” said Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers. “I’m incredibly grateful these investments will help strengthen our supply chains and bolster economic opportunity and resilience across our state.”
In our area, two Infrastructure Grant projects were funded:
• Red Door Family Farm in Athens received a $372,924 grant to construct a packing shed and cold storage facility to package and store their organically grown vegetables as well as those of 20 other farms. The purchase of a refrigerated truck will allow Red Door to transport produce from partner farms and distribute it to local and regional wholesalers, retailers, and food access organizations such as Feeding America and Marathon County Hunger Coalition.
• Cattail Organics in Athens received a $193,789 grant to expand access to fresh produce in underserved areas in north central and northern Wisconsin for customer segments including schools, retail, and food aid organizations. Funds will be used to expand cold storage with the purchase of a set of two coolers that hook into their washing and packing shed; the purchase of a refrigerated box truck (expanding delivery capacity to longer distances and to allow cross docking for other producers); and creating safer loading areas for their farm vehicles, other farms, and entities like the Wisconsin Food Hub cooperative who pick up with semis or larger trucks. In addition, funds will support an ergonomics and safety training for their farm staff and other local farms for packing and loading produce in collaboration with Move Right Injury Prevention and Ergonomics this spring and expanded staff time for a manager of 5-10 hours/week helping coordinate new routes and partnerships, they said.
This awarded funding is part of the $420 million available through the Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Grant program to build capacity within the middle of the supply chain and support local and regional producers. It is funded by President Biden’s American Rescue Plan. Through this program, AMS has entered into cooperative agreements with state agencies, commissions, or departments responsible for agriculture, commercial food processing, seafood, or food system and distribution activities or commerce activities in states or U.S. territories.
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