|
|
Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT) encourages projects from pasture-based farms interested in the adoption of alternative breeds or the development of co-operatives with other pasture-based farmers and confinement operations looking to convert to pasture-based systems. Many past grant projects have focused on fencing, watering systems, or mobile animal shelters. Farmers have also completed a variety of unique projects involving constructing cattle scratching stations, planting trees to improve access to shade, and purchasing equipment for fly control.
The Lake Michigan School Food System Innovation Hub fosters collaborations that nourish students, connect schools with local farms and businesses, and reflect the region’s families and communities. Spark Awards fund projects that need a short-term infusion of funds for school food system and marketplace improvements, such as capacity-building, planning, and product testing projects. Innovation Collaborative Awards fund projects that promote systems-level change of the school food system and marketplace, such as scaling up of programs, regional partnerships, or new program or product development and integration.
Whether you are a farmer, aggregator, school, or early care and education (ECE) provider, the Wisconsin Local Foods Database is a trusted tool for connecting fresh, local foods to Wisconsin communities, especially our youngest eaters. In response to user feedback, there are several new features to strengthen and expand connections across the state’s vibrant food system. Updates include:
- New ECE tab: Helps farmers and producers identify ECE programs that incorporate local foods, offering new opportunities for relationships and future sales.
- New Food Hub tab: Makes it easier for farmers seeking distribution partners—and buyers looking for fresh, local products—to find food hubs that meet their needs.
- Expanded Grain and Pea sections: Provides more robust listings of local suppliers of grains such as wheat, barley, and oats, as well as legumes like peas and a variety of beans.
- Languages Spoken: Allows users to identify producers and buyers who speak languages such as Hmong and Spanish, helping strengthen connections across Wisconsin’s diverse food community.
|
|
|
The United Nations declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer, which will highlight the essential roles women play across agrifood systems, from production and trade to food security, nutrition, and economic resilience. Stay tuned for the official launch of the #YearoftheWomanFarmer at the Food and Agriculture Organization headquarters in December 2025 — a global call to support women’s empowerment in agrifood systems!
The Growing Wisconsin Conference (formerly known as the Wisconsin Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conference) is a three-day event that offers educational seminars, networking opportunities, and business management strategies to growers of fresh produce and the industries using that produce.
The Organic Vegetable Production Conference is hosted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension Dane County, in partnership with FairShare CSA Coalition, Iowa State University Extension & Outreach, and the Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems. Connect with experienced vegetable growers from throughout the Midwest and beyond at this producer-initiated event grounded in farmer-to-farmer skill sharing. Join your peers for online sessions, in-person sessions, or both!
The annual OGRAIN Conference is an opportunity to learn from local organic grain growers; hear about the latest research; and connect with other organic, transitioning-to-organic, or inquisitive-about-organic grain growers and end-users.
The Marbleseed (formerly MOSES) Organic Farming Conference is one of the largest organic farming conferences in the United States. Every year, regenerative and organic farmers from a wide range of farm sizes, experiences, and backgrounds gather to learn the latest in organic farming methods, build community, and shape the future of the organic farming movement. Early Bird registration ends Tuesday, January 6!
|
|
Oshkosh Area Community Pantry: Creating New Farm to Food Access in Winnebago County and Beyond
Each year, the Oshkosh Area Community Pantry (OACP) distributes over 3 million pounds of food to more than 4,300 households in Winnebago County, and beyond, by offering a grocery store shopping experience, empowering guests with dignity and choice. OACP also serves as the regional distribution site for The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. In 2024, they redistributed more than 700,000 pounds of food to other Winnebago County pantries, expanding reach and improving food security throughout the Fox Valley region. Furthermore, they are one of the only barrier-free pantries in the state, welcoming guests regardless of address or income level.
Following the elimination of the federal Local Food Purchase Assistance (LFPA) program in springtime of this year, OACP was facing a loss of over $120,000 in locally grown produce for their pantry guests to enjoy all year long, while many farmers lost potential markets. Immediately, they began sharing the negative impact on both pantry guests and local farmers with funders and community.
OACP Executive Director Ryan Rasmussen (left) and Inventory Manager Larson Cook (right) visiting Olden Organics Farm this summer.
OACP is thrilled to share that, to date, they have raised $70,000 in private funding to purchase Wisconsin-grown produce, primarily from Olden Organics in Ripon, WI, as well as other local growers. Their partnership with Olden began in 2023 through the LFPA program and only strengthened after those funds were cut, thanks to their shared commitment to providing fresh, nutritious foods for their community. Check out this recent radio interview with OACP Executive Director Ryan Rasmussen (starting at 21:30) for more information.
Olden Organics is not only a fourth-generation, 100-acre organic farm, but also a major processing and distribution partner for many other small to mid-sized Wisconsin producers. Their fresh, whole produce and minimally cut products supplies grocery stores, school districts, childcare centers, restaurants, food co-ops, farmers markets, and food pantries across the entire state, though they are limited by their current facilities and unable to meet the increasing demand for their product. Receiving a Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) grant, Olden is investing in the modernization of their processing infrastructure and construction of a new cold storage facility to become equipped to serve more Wisconsin producers and consumers as a growing middle-of-the-supply-chain business.
 |
From left to right: Wisconsin State Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim; Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary-designee Jeff Pertl; Oshkosh Area Community Pantry Executive Director Ryan Rasmussen; Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection Secretary Randy Romanski; Owner of Olden Organics Tracy Vinz; Wisconsin State Rep. Lori Palmeri.
|
|
|
|
|
