The Sconi

The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) has opened the application period for its 2025 Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin (BLBW) Grant program. Applications will be accepted until noon on Monday, September 15, 2025. The department plans to distribute up to $200,000 in total grant funding through this initiative.

The BLBW grant program is intended to support Wisconsin's agriculture and food sectors by assisting farms and businesses in processing, marketing, and distributing locally grown food products. According to DATCP, the grants are designed to give consumers greater access to foods produced within the state, including organic vegetables, hops varieties, hazelnut products, locally grown grain, and other value-added items.

Applicants eligible for these grants include individuals as well as groups or businesses involved in production agriculture within Wisconsin. This also extends to those working in food processing, distribution, warehousing, retail establishments selling food products, or agricultural tourism operations. Projects that receive funding are required to report outcomes such as increased local food sales, job creation or retention, and new investments made as a result of the grant.

Grant awards can cover projects lasting up to three years. Funding requests must range from $5,000 to $50,000 per project. Eligible expenses under the program include personnel compensation, consultant services fees, materials costs, and supplies purchases. All recipients must provide matching funds—either cash or in-kind contributions—equaling at least half of their total project budget.

Selection of grant recipients will be determined through a competitive review process managed by DATCP staff. Contracts with successful applicants could begin as early as December 2025.

Since the BLBW program began in 2008 it has received more than 600 applications requesting over $21 million combined in funding requests. In that time frame the program has awarded grants totaling more than $3.22 million across 128 different projects. According to DATCP data these funded efforts have generated over $14.7 million in new local food sales throughout Wisconsin’s markets while creating or retaining more than 540 jobs statewide and supporting upwards of 5,600 producers along with approximately 5,500 market outlets.

Those seeking additional information about eligibility requirements or how to apply may contact Brian Williams a grants specialist at DATCP.

"BLBW is a competitive grant program designed to strengthen Wisconsin's agriculture and food industries by helping farms and businesses more efficiently process, market, and distribute locally grown food products. BLBW grants provide consumers with access to more Wisconsin-grown food products including organic vegetables hops varieties hazelnut products locally grown grain and other value-added products."

###