Resource Directory
Rural Economic Development
RESOURCES AND GRANTS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES
Whether you’re an individual, a business or a community organization, you can use the directory below to search a vast library of resources, tools and services. The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), its economic development partners and other organizations around the state offer a range of resources on all aspects of economic well-being, from childcare and education to businesses and housing. Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out to us directly, we want to help.
- Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Sustainability
Agricultural Chemical Cleanup Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
DATCP staff can work with the consultant or "responsible person" to monitor the cleanup. The program reviews applications for eligible cost reimbursement and provides cost reimbursement to responsible parties.
Agriculture, Economic Development
Agricultural Enterprise Areas
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
AEA is an area of productive agriculture that has received designation from the state at the request of landowners and local governments. AEAs strive to support local farmland protection goals.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Grant program to strengthen Wisconsin’s agricultural and food industries by mitigating barriers in local food channels, increasing efficiencies in processing, marketing, and distributing local food in markets including stores, schools, and institutions.
Agriculture, Other, Sustainability
Clean Sweep
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Clean Sweep Program provides grants to organizations to create and operate local programs for the collection and disposal of agricultural pesticides, farm chemical waste, household hazardous waste, and unwanted prescription drugs.
Agriculture
Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP)
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
CREP is a resource to help agricultural landowners meet their conservation goals, particularly those who till or graze land along rivers and streams, by paying to install filter strips.
Arts & Culture, Business, Food & Beverage, Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Division of Food and Recreational Licensing
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Licensing Specialists help potential operators of food, lodging, or recreational businesses understand which license is required for their business, and steps to take in obtaining that license.
Agriculture, Education & Schools
Farm to School & Insitution
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
This program supports local producers in providing bountiful, nutritious meals and snacks for all. Farm to School and Institution programs operate within three core elements: procurement, school gardens, and education.
Agriculture
Farmer Wellness Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
When stress is running high and Wisconsin’s farmers and family need somewhere to turn for support, the Farmer Wellness Program can assist with services to help navigate and reduce farm stress.
Agriculture
Herd-Based Diagnostics Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Herd-Based Diagnostics Program helps dairy herds of all sizes and management types. Available at no cost to participants, licensed veterinarians help producers investigate concerns with milk production, herd health, and more.
Agriculture, Economic Development
International Market support for: Dairy, Processed Foods, Food Ingredients, Pet Foods, Livestock, Genetics, Feed, Grains
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The International Agribusiness Center (IABC) has been helping Wisconsin agribusinesses in the food, forestry and agricultural product sectors enter and expand in global markets.
Agriculture, Economic Development, Food & Beverage, Start-Up & Entrepreneur
Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grants
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
DATCP’s Meat and Poultry Supply Chain Resiliency Grants are available to new or existing processors to facilitate changes and expansion to grow harvest capacity and/or increase product throughput.
Agriculture
Organic Cost Share
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Staff administer reimbursement processing and reporting for this federal rebate program providing funds to certified organic applicants. The reimbursement amount is based on applicant’s own costs paid for organic certification.
Agriculture, Other
Producer-led Watershed Protection Grant Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Producer-Led Watershed Protection Grant program is a competitive grant program that provides funding to producer-led groups that focus on nonpoint source pollution abatement activities in their watersheds.
Agriculture
Something Special from Wisconsin™
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Something Special from Wisconsin (SSfW) is a trademarked marketing program for products with 50% of the value of the product or service is attributable to Wisconsin ingredients, production or processing activities.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage
Specialty Crop Block Grant
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Specialty Crop Block Grant program is a grant designed to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops which are fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts, horticulture and nursery crops.
Agriculture
Veteran Farmer Assistance and Outreach Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Wisconsin Veteran Farmer Assistance and Outreach Program supports veterans currently in agriculture by providing strategic advice and guidance while also integrating veterans into the field of agriculture.
Agriculture, Business, Start-Up & Entrepreneur
WI Bureau of Land and Water Resource Management
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Bureau of Land and Water Resources works with local governments, other state and federal agencies, and landowners to conserve soil, prevent agricultural runoff, and preserve farmland and infrastructure for future generations.
Agriculture, Sustainability
WI Conservation Engineering
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
County staff provide the primary technical support for planning, designing and construction oversight when farmers undertake conservation projects with county assistance.
Agriculture, Business, Sustainability
WI Crop Insurance Rebates for Planting Cover Crops
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Interested participants may enroll acres planted to cover crops in the fall of 2022 which will be planted to an insurable crop in the following growing season.
Agriculture, Business, Food & Beverage
WI Land and Water Conservation Board
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The Land and Water Conservation Board connects local and state governments on conservation and farmland preservation issues.
Agriculture, Food & Beverage, Workforce
WI Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
Meat Processor Infrastructure Grants are available to new or existing processors to facilitate changes and expansion to grow harvest capacity and/or increase product throughput.
Education & Schools, Food & Beverage, Workforce
WI Meat Talent Development Program
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
This funding will be used to attract students to meat careers, provide financial support to students in Wisconsin meat processing training programs, support program development, and connect the meat processing industry with potential employees.
Agriculture
Wisconsin Farm Center
Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP)
The WI Farm Center offers its state’s farmers free and confidential financial consulting and transition planning services as well as several other programs in areas such as conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, farmer wellbeing, and more.