New WI COVID-19 Grant Program for Small Farmers- Applications to Open Aug. 10

Although tending our own garden is becoming a more popular hobby during these unprecedented times, many of us still get our food from the supermarket. It is so easy and convenient to drive over to the grocery store, grab a few items and cook a meal. Have you ever stopped to think about where the bulk of your fresh produce, vegetables, meats and other non-processed items come from? They may end their journey at the store, but they began their story on an American farm. Our Wisconsin farmers are crucial to our economy and are vitally important to us,  this is why farmers are encouraged to apply as soon as possible to the Wisconsin Farm Support Program.

Chippewa County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) was notified that applications for a new round of COVID-19 relief payments will be targeted for Wisconsin farmers. The Wisconsin Farm Support Program is a federally funded program that provides relief to farmers that suffered economic damages in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first round of payments used about $41.6 million of the $50 million allocated for the program and were available for farmers who had a gross income between $35,000 and $5 million.

A second round of this program by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue will be taking applications from August 10th-24th, 2020 to use the approximately $8.4 million remaining from the $50 million Wisconsin Farm Support Program. Eligibility for the second round will include farmers with $10,000 in gross income and above according to their 2019 tax filings and money will be allocated on a sliding scale. The amount will be determined after the application period closes on August 24th, 2020. Given the amount of funding available for the second round of the program, payments will be smaller than the first round. CCEDC encourages farmers to apply early and leave time for resolving any potential issues in their application. Farmers who cannot apply online, as well as Spanish- and Hmong-speaking farmers, should request assistance by calling DOR at 608-266-2772.