Dane County Farmers Urged to Apply for County Grant

August 14, 2008
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive (608) 267-8823 or cell (608) 669-5606 Lee Cunningham, Dane County Extension (608) 224-3705
County Executive

Dollars Available to “Grow” New Ideas of Ag Entrepreneurs Dane County Executive Kathleen Falk today encouraged farmers and food producers with innovative ideas on ways to grow their operations to apply for a Dane County Agriculture Enterprise Grant. The $10,000 grant program funded by Falk in the 2008 county budget helps Dane County farmers develop and implement business plans that create local food and production related businesses to help them stay profitable. “These grant dollars are intended to help nurture and promote the entrepreneurial spirit of our Dane County farmers,” Falk said. “Agriculture is such a vital part of our local economy so it’s important to do what we can to help make great, innovative ideas, reality. The grant program helps provide financial assistance to producers looking to modernize and diversify their operations and can help identify new uses and markets for existing or new commodities. Dollars from this county grant in the past have helped manufacture bio-fuels, enhance a family-owned fish farm, and develop a business plan for the production of exotic cheeses made from a blend of dairy, goat, and sheep milk. Farmers interested in applying for a 2008 Dane County Agriculture Enterprise Grant can contact the Dane County Extension office at 608-224-3705. Grant applications are also available online at: http://dane.uwex.edu/ The deadline to apply is October 1, 2008. # # #