The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has awarded $1 million in producer-led watershed protection grants (PLWPG) to 43 farmer-led groups for 2023. Grants support producer-led conservation solutions by encouraging innovation and farmer participation in on-the-ground efforts to improve Wisconsin’s soil health and water quality.
This is the eighth round of grant awards since funding was first made available in the 2015-17 state budget. Annual interest in DATCP’s PLWPG program continues to exceed the program budget. This funding cycle received the highest amount of requests in the history of the program, with 45 applicants for a total funding request of over $1.5 million.
Peninsula Pride Farms was fortunate to receive a majority of their request this year.
The group plans to use these funds to support the conservation education to farmers, conduct on-farm demonstrations and research, issue incentive payments for implementing conservation practices, organize field days (Conservation Conversations), and conintue to gather data on soil health and water quality.
Read full press release here.