DIRECT TO FARMER GRANTS
We are proud to have offered Direct to Farm LFPA grant recipients contracts to produce foods that were aggregated and distributed to hunger relief organizations; making local foods more accessible across the state.
2023 and 2024 - Grant Contract Recipients
PROGRAM ONBOARDING
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ONBOARDING
Participating farmers were required complete an onboarding survey before finalizing their annual contract. Samples of both can be found below.
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FARM TO FOOD ACCESS WHOLESALE READINESS TRAININGS
Participating farmerss were required to attend one Wholesale Readiness trainings. The training optimized understanding of the requirements of WI LFPA while preparing grant recipients for long-term wholesale success.
The trainings were focused on the content in the Direct to Farmer Grant Guide (see below).
PROGRAM DETAILS AND BENEFITS
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COMPLIMENTARY WISCONSIN FARMERS UNION MEMBERSHIP AND LOCAL FOOD DIRECTORY LISTING (OPTIONAL)
Wisconsin Farmers Union (WFU) offered WI LFPA Direct to Farmer program producers a complimentary, one-year membership and the opportunity to list on the Wisconsin Local Food Directory website.
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SELLING INTO THE WI LFPA PROGRAM
The nuts and bolts of how the program worked and what was expected of the contracted farms.
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FARMER TO FARMER COOPERATIVE LEARNING & EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Educational programming helped producers build capacity, gain market access, and strengthen the Wisconsin local food system network to provide more equitable food access to underserved communities.
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NETWORKING WITH WI FOOD SYSTEM PARTNERS
Across Wisconsin there are organizations working hard to connect people and resources within the local food system. We wanted to be sure farmers could jump in, meet people near them, and play an active role in the field and beyond.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM SUPPORT
Three Community Liaisons were hired to act as a bridge between WI LFPA project partners, grantees, and food access sites to support the program's goals of reaching underserved communities.
The Liaisons supported WI LFPA participants in their region through:
Networking and education events
Language support
Providing feedback to WI LFPA project partners
Facilitating connections with existing WI LFPA networks of engaged farmers, organizations, and community members
Wisconsin Farmers Union membership and the WI Local Food Directory