Governor Doyle Announces $225,500 in Grants to Boost Agriculture Innovations
MADISON – Governor Jim Doyle today announced that 11 agriculture innovators will share $225,500 in grants for projects that would strengthen, build or restore sectors of the Wisconsin agricultural industry. The Agricultural Diversification and Development Grants build on the state’s efforts to encourage innovation and diversity in agriculture, Wisconsin ’s signature industry.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Wisconsin ’s economy and these innovative projects ensure that agriculture will drive our state economy for years to come,” Governor Doyle said. “These grants build on Wisconsin ’s nation-leading agricultural diversity by encouraging investment, growing jobs and creating new products.”
Wisconsin leads the nation in dairy production and diverse agricultural commodities. The state ranks among the top three states for 12 commodities outside the dairy sector. These grants encourage agricultural diversity and provide early-stage funding for market research and development, new product research and development, and feasibility studies of new technologies and practices. The grants aim to stimulate the state’s farm economy by finding new opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse farm economy. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state's status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products. To enable successful farming for future generations, the state's best farmland is protected under the Working Lands Initiative that Governor Doyle signed into law earlier this year. The Governor's efforts have strengthened a continuous drive to modernize agriculture and support farms of all sizes and varieties.
Since its inception in 1989, the Agricultural Diversification and Development grant program has generated more than $108 million in economic returns, including annual sales increases and cost reductions as well as other economic returns, according to post-grant surveys. Successful grant projects have resulted in more than 650 jobs created or retained, more than $42 million in new capital investment, and more than 500 new products.
Complete descriptions of the funded projects are available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us. The application period for the 2010 Agriculture Diversification and Development Grants is open and runs through March 15. Information on how to apply is available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/add/index.jsp.
This year’s grant recipients are:
Gorst Valley Hops, Mazomanie, $25,000
Gorst Valley seeks to revitalize hops production in Wisconsin by designing equipment, offering processing services, and providing consulting and education to growers.
McCain Foods USA , Plover, $24,000
This grant will allow McCain to collect a second year of data to judge whether Wisconsin growers can compete with southern states in producing sweet potatoes for processing into frozen fries.
Scenic Valley Farms, Readstown, $12,000
This project will test the feasibility of growing thornless blackberries using high tunnels and may help a consortium of growers supply fresh, locally-grown fruit to wholesale berry companies.
Blue Iris Fish Farm, Black Creek, $12,000
This proposal will study the effectiveness of a new culture technique for yellow perch.
Joe Seis Farms, Grand Marsh, $6,500
Seis Farms is working to develop and test mechanical harvesting of sweet potatoes.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Horticulture Department, Madison , $21,500
The researchers will study production and storage potential in Wisconsin for “cut and peel” carrots -- the popular baby carrots sold today, which are worth about five times as much to the grower as carrots grown for processing.
Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Antigo, $24,000
This research will develop storage profiles of new chip potato varieties developed to have longer storage life than is now available. A longer storage season could increase sales of Wisconsin chip potatoes, and such profiles would provide growers with information needed to prevent losses and encourage adoption of new varieties.
Tosca Limited, Green Bay , $19,000
Tosca will develop management recommendations for growers of curly ( Savoy ) spinach, a high-nutrient, high-value crop that is also useful in crop rotation cycles.
Cooperative Network, Madison , $25,000
This will be a feasibility study of locally-owned biomass production in Ashland , with the goal of supporting the emerging biomass fuel needs of Xcel Energy , Wisconsin Fuels for Schools, and other users including hospitals, prisons, and factories.
RCI Engineering, Mayville, $32,500
RCI Engineering will use this project to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed facility to convert corn wastes and grasses into biomass fuels. The results of this project may provide useful information to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for converting the Charter Street Heating Plant to using biofuels.
Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Antigo, $24,000
The Association, representing 25 growers, will develop use of nutrient film technology, a system of circulation a shallow stream of nutrients over the tubers that will become seed potatoes. This reduces the time and expense of bringing new varieties to market.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Wisconsin ’s economy and these innovative projects ensure that agriculture will drive our state economy for years to come,” Governor Doyle said. “These grants build on Wisconsin ’s nation-leading agricultural diversity by encouraging investment, growing jobs and creating new products.”
Wisconsin leads the nation in dairy production and diverse agricultural commodities. The state ranks among the top three states for 12 commodities outside the dairy sector. These grants encourage agricultural diversity and provide early-stage funding for market research and development, new product research and development, and feasibility studies of new technologies and practices. The grants aim to stimulate the state’s farm economy by finding new opportunities for farmers and agribusinesses.
Under Governor Doyle’s leadership, Wisconsin has invested and promoted its diverse farm economy. Incentives to help modernize the dairy industry have helped increase milk production to record levels and have strengthened the state's status as the number one producer of cheese in the country. At the same time, efforts to strengthen diversity in agriculture have made Wisconsin a leading producer of cranberries, specialty cheeses, organic vegetables and many other products. To enable successful farming for future generations, the state's best farmland is protected under the Working Lands Initiative that Governor Doyle signed into law earlier this year. The Governor's efforts have strengthened a continuous drive to modernize agriculture and support farms of all sizes and varieties.
Since its inception in 1989, the Agricultural Diversification and Development grant program has generated more than $108 million in economic returns, including annual sales increases and cost reductions as well as other economic returns, according to post-grant surveys. Successful grant projects have resulted in more than 650 jobs created or retained, more than $42 million in new capital investment, and more than 500 new products.
Complete descriptions of the funded projects are available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us. The application period for the 2010 Agriculture Diversification and Development Grants is open and runs through March 15. Information on how to apply is available at http://www.datcp.state.wi.us/mktg/business/marketing/val-add/add/index.jsp.
This year’s grant recipients are:
Gorst Valley Hops, Mazomanie, $25,000
Gorst Valley seeks to revitalize hops production in Wisconsin by designing equipment, offering processing services, and providing consulting and education to growers.
McCain Foods USA , Plover, $24,000
This grant will allow McCain to collect a second year of data to judge whether Wisconsin growers can compete with southern states in producing sweet potatoes for processing into frozen fries.
Scenic Valley Farms, Readstown, $12,000
This project will test the feasibility of growing thornless blackberries using high tunnels and may help a consortium of growers supply fresh, locally-grown fruit to wholesale berry companies.
Blue Iris Fish Farm, Black Creek, $12,000
This proposal will study the effectiveness of a new culture technique for yellow perch.
Joe Seis Farms, Grand Marsh, $6,500
Seis Farms is working to develop and test mechanical harvesting of sweet potatoes.
University of Wisconsin-Madison Horticulture Department, Madison , $21,500
The researchers will study production and storage potential in Wisconsin for “cut and peel” carrots -- the popular baby carrots sold today, which are worth about five times as much to the grower as carrots grown for processing.
Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association, Antigo, $24,000
This research will develop storage profiles of new chip potato varieties developed to have longer storage life than is now available. A longer storage season could increase sales of Wisconsin chip potatoes, and such profiles would provide growers with information needed to prevent losses and encourage adoption of new varieties.
Tosca Limited, Green Bay , $19,000
Tosca will develop management recommendations for growers of curly ( Savoy ) spinach, a high-nutrient, high-value crop that is also useful in crop rotation cycles.
Cooperative Network, Madison , $25,000
This will be a feasibility study of locally-owned biomass production in Ashland , with the goal of supporting the emerging biomass fuel needs of Xcel Energy , Wisconsin Fuels for Schools, and other users including hospitals, prisons, and factories.
RCI Engineering, Mayville, $32,500
RCI Engineering will use this project to evaluate the feasibility of a proposed facility to convert corn wastes and grasses into biomass fuels. The results of this project may provide useful information to the Wisconsin Department of Administration for converting the Charter Street Heating Plant to using biofuels.
Wisconsin Seed Potato Improvement Association, Antigo, $24,000
The Association, representing 25 growers, will develop use of nutrient film technology, a system of circulation a shallow stream of nutrients over the tubers that will become seed potatoes. This reduces the time and expense of bringing new varieties to market.
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 9:19 PM
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