U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development announced the USDA it has awarded $1.3 million in Value-Added Producer Grants to Wisconsin businesses including two in the New North region.
“These investments are being made in rural businesses across the state whose products range from timber to produce, eggs and pork to wine and distilled spirits,” said USDA State Director for Wisconsin Julie Lassa
Grants include:
- Red Door Family Farm in Marathon County will use a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant to increase sales of its produce to new customers. The project will increase their customer base by over 600 customers.
- Lakeshore Forest Products in Manitowoc County will use a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant to provide working capital to process hardwood logs into kiln-dried hardwood lumber. Funds will also be used for marketing to increase their customer base.
- Chateau Saint Croix LLC, a small winery in Polk County, will use a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant to increase direct-to-consumer sales of its locally grown and produced wines, expanding their customer base by over 1,600 customers.
- Ledgerock Distillery LLC in Fond du Lac County will use a $250,000 Value Added Producer Grant to process corn and wheat into high-end craft spirits including bourbon, whiskey, vodka, and gin. Funds will also be used for marketing to increase their customer base to over 6,200 customers.
- Three Brothers Farm LLC, a small farming operation in Waukesha County, will use a $249,962 Value Added Producer Grant to increase sales of certified organic, pasture-raised eggs to new customers to over 790 customers.
May Hill Farm LLC, a beginning farming operation in Fond du Lac County, will use a $49,960 Value Added Producer Grant to process hogs into whole/half hogs, individual cuts, pork sausage products, pork subscription boxes, and high end cut sales to restaurants and retailers. Funds will also be used for marketing to increase their customer base by 194 customers.
