www.CalumetBusiness.com, Calumet County, WI Economic Development

Agribusiness Financial Resources

The following are known general financial resources available to farm operators. For technical assistance be sure to see our Agribusiness Technical Assistance page.

In addition, please refer to our General Financial Resources and General Technical Resources pages. If you are also a minority, in addition to these general resources, please refer to the Minority Financial Resources and Minority Technical Resources pages.

[ Grant ] [ Loan ] [ Loan Guarantee ] [ Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs ] [ Other ]

Grant DAIRY 2020 EARLY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM -- Awards grants for business and feasibility planning to dairy producers and processors considering a modernization or expansion project. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Tim Griswold at (608) 266-7370.

DAIRY 2020 EARLY PLANNING GRANT PROGRAM -- Grants of up to $3,000 may be awarded for professional services to develop a comprehensive business plan for the start-up, modernization, or expansion of a Wisconsin dairy farm. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Tim Griswold at (608) 266-7370.

DAIRY 2020 MILK VOLUME PRODUCTION PROGRAM (MVP) -- Designed to assist dairy producers that are undertaking capital improvement projects that will result in a significant increase in Wisconsin’s milk production. Only those projects that have a comprehensive business plan and can demonstrate that they will have a long term sustainable impact upon Wisconsin’s milk production will be successful. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Tim Griswold at (608) 266-7370.

DAIRY 2020 MULTIPLE-ENTITY EARLY PLANNING GRANTS -- The goal of this program is assist two or more independent entities to pool their financial and management resources and start a new Wisconsin dairy business. Grants of up to $7,500 may be used for professional services to develop a comprehensive business plan. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce, Tim Griswold at (608) 266-7370.

GROW WISCONSIN DAIRY: COMMODITY COMPETITIVENESS GRANT PILOT PROGRAM -- Grants may be awarded to commodity processors for major initiatives to add value or cut costs in their businesses. Projects involving collaboration between processors and dairy farmers that promote supply chain value are encouraged. Projects must show potential fro improving dairy competitiveness. Examples of types of projects might include:

Reducing hauling or distribution costs
Meeting a major new long-term customer demand
Making a major new facility investment or joint venture

For more information contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at (608) 261-7710.

GROW WISCONSIN DAIRY: DAIRY FARM MODERNIZATION PILOT GRANT PROGRAM -- Grants of up to $7,500 may be awarded for professional services related to siting, engineering, design, layout and diagrams of new barns, parlors and other farm structures related to new modernization and expansion projects. Also eligible is consulting for risk management, financial management and labor management; financial management software and training in conjunction with modernization, expansion or efficiency projects. Funding must be connected to new modernization projects (within one year of business plan completion). Examples of types of projects might include:

Siting, engineering, design of new farm structures related to dairy modernization
Financial management software and training
Labor or risk management assistance

Local awards have been made! For more information contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at (608) 261-7710.

GROW WISCONSIN DAIRY: DAIRY FARM ORGANIC; GRAZING OR FARM ENTRY TRANSITION PILOT GRANT PROGRAM -- Grants of up to $7,500 may be awarded to help dairy farmers get started in business or for existing dairy farmers to transition to or enhance organic or intensively managed grazing operations. Cow, goat or sheep operations may apply. Projects must incorporate financial analysis and planning. Examples of types of projects might include:

Professional services costs for grazing system design and financial planning
Milking parlor engineering
Engineering and design of water drinking system
Assist with non-covered conservation planning costs

Local awards have been made! For more information contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at (608) 261-7710.

GROW WISCONSIN DAIRY: LOCAL DAIRY DEVELOPMENT PILOT GRANT PROGRAM -- Grants of up to $25,000 may be awarded to local organizations (co-ops, non-profit, Chambers of Commerce, etc.) that enhance the development of modernized dairy farming in the area through unique, innovative projects. Education or outreach may not be the primary objectives of the proposed program. Examples of types of projects might include:

Creation of agricultural development zones that promote dairy farm development
Creation of new and innovative systems to provide capital for dairy modernization
Programs that identify, promote and create specific supply chains for producers and processors that result in value added products or cost savings

Local awards have been made! For more information contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at (608) 261-7710.

GROW WISCONSIN: VALUE CHAIN DEVELOPMENT PILOT GRANT PROGRAM -- Grants of up to $50,000 may be awarded to dairy business entities who are 1) introducing new dairy products or entering new markets and who demonstrate that the new product or market has potential for increased profitability; or 2) implementing innovation or efficiencies in their supply chain that have potential to significantly reduce costs. Examples of types of projects might include:

Launching a new product or product line
Entering a new or differentiated market arena
Development of a system for reducing costs within the business supply chain

For more information contact the Wisconsin Department of Commerce at (608) 261-7710.

Loan FSA: BEGINNING FARMER LOANS AND GUARANTEES -- The Farm Service Agency direct a portion of their Direct Loan programs at beginning farmers and rachers. These loans are targeted at farmers and rachers who have operated for more than 3 years and less than 10 who are unable to obtain financing from commercial lenders. Loans may be used for farm ownership and operating. Contact Teresa Jackson by phone at (608) 662-4422 or by email at teresa.jackson@wi.usda.gov.

FSA: DIRECT LOANS -- Direct loans are made and serviced by FSA officials, who also provide borrowers with supervision and credit counseling. Farm Ownership and Operating loans are the main types of loans available under the Direct Program. With a Direct Farm Ownership Loan, you can purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures. Operating Loans may be used to purchase items such as livestock, farm equipment, feed, minor improvements to buildings, family subsistence, and to refinance debts under certain conditions. Contact Teresa Jackson by phone at (608) 662-4422 or by email at teresa.jackson@wi.usda.gov.

FSA: GUARANTEED FARM LOANS -- FSA guaranteed loans provide lenders (e.g., banks, Farm Credit System institutions, credit unions) with a guarantee of up to 95 percent of the loss of principal and interest on a loan. Farmers and ranchers apply to an agricultural lender, which then arranges for the guarantee. The FSA guarantee permits lenders to make agricultural credit available to farmers who do not meet the lender's normal underwriting criteria. With a Direct Farm Ownership Loan, you can purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures. Operating Loans may be used to purchase items such as livestock, farm equipment, feed, minor improvements to buildings, family subsistence, and to refinance debts under certain conditions. Contact: Teresa Jackson by phone at (608) 662-4422 or by email at teresa.jackson@wi.usda.gov.

FSA: GUARANTEES FOR OPERATING AND REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS -- The Farm Service Agency guarantees loans made by conventional agricultural lenders for up to 95 percent of the loan amount. Farmers must apply with a lender, which then arranges for the guarantee. FSA will guarantee loans for both Farm Ownership and Operating purposes. Farm Ownership (FO) Loans may be made to purchase farmland, construct or repair buildings and other fixtures, or to refinance debt. Operating Loans may be used to purchase items such as livestock, farm equipment, feed, minor improvements to buildings, family subsistence, and to refinance debts under certain conditions. Contact Teresa Jackson by phone at (608) 662-4422 or by email at teresa.jackson@wi.usda.gov.

WHEDA: BEGINNING FARMER BONDS -- A Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) program whereby bonds can be used to purchase a first farm including land, equipment, livestock, or buildings. Bonds can be used for transactions between related persons. Contact Peggy Ellis at 1-800-334-6873.

WHEDA: CROP -- A Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) loan program. The loan can be used to buy animal feed, seed, fertilizer, pesticides, or to pay land rent, custom hire, crop insurance, feeder animals, tillage services, equipment rental and repair, or utilities for commodity production. Contact Peggy Ellis at 1-800-334-6873.

WHEDA: FARM -- A loan program for the producer who wants to expand or modernize an existing operation. The loan can be used to purchase agricultural assets including machinery, equipment, buildings, land, and livestock. The money can also be used to make improvements to farm buildings and land for agricultural purposes. Contact Peggy Ellis at 1-800-334-6873.

Loan Guarantee WHEDA: AGRIBUSINESS GUARANTEE PROGRAM -- A Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA) program which provides loan guarantees for projects developing products, markets, method of processing or marketing for a Wisconsin-grown commodity. The maximum guarantee of 80% on loans can be used for equipment, land, buildings, working capital, inventory and marketing expenses. Contact Peggy Ellis at 1-800-334-6873.

Environmental Regulation Assistance & Programs WISCONSIN PUBLIC SERVICE -- Offers programs to increase the energy efficiency of farming operations. For more information contact Gary Delveau at (920) 431-1105.

Other HARVEST OF HOPE, COMMUNITY OF HOPE -- Provides financial assistance to needy farm families to: 1) purchase seed, fertilizer, fuel & other supplies for spring planting; 2) meet emergency needs for food, shelter, medical expenses. Leave message on answering machine to receive application. Please contact Roger Williams at (608) 836-4633.