Commodity Board Funding Opportunities

The WI Potato Industry Board (WPIB), in concert with the WI Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA), provides base and competitive funding opportunities on an annual basis. The WPVGA Research Committee sets the research priorities.

Please direct WPVGA/WPIB programmatic questions to Karen Rasmussen by phone (715) 623-7683 or by email krasmussen@wisconsinpotatoes.com

For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Sandy Fowler at 608-262-3947 or sandy,fowler@wisc.edu.

The WCPB accepts proposals on a continual basis. Proposals must be routed via WISPER. Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator if you have any questions.

The Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB), with the help of the Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA), is seeking proposals for the Grow-Discover Research Program to fund projects that meet research criteria that will add value to the corn industry. Research is important in advancing technology, increasing profitability, improving environmental practices and developing new markets and uses for Wisconsin corn farmers.

Wisconsin Corn serves the state’s corn growers through the Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board (WCPB) and Wisconsin Corn Growers Association (WCGA). The WCPB utilizes checkoff funds to develop and defend markets, fund research and provide education
about corn and corn products. WCGA is a united, grassroots-driven member organization representing growers from across Wisconsin on important state and national agricultural issues in an effort to increase member profitability and opportunity. For more information, visit wicorn.org.

See the WCPB Word document for the full RFP including the WCPB’s Areas of Interest, eligibility and proposal guidelines. It is recommended that applications include the WCPB Proposal Cover Page and Project Budget templates.

For further information on Wisconsin Corn Promotion Board programs, contact Nicole Wagner by phone (262-372-3289) or by email (nicole@wicorn.org).

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

For further information on Wisconsin Cranberry Board, Inc. programs, contact Tom Lochner at the WCB office at 715-423-2070.

The Wisconsin Soybean Marketing Board (WSMB) is seeking project proposals that are supportive of the WSMB strategic mission statement. WSMB is funded through a checkoff assessment of 0.5% of the net market price of Wisconsin grown soybeans.

The WSMB invites a variety of proposals to address issues from many different disciplines. WSMB will undoubtedly continue to fund many of the traditional programs that are supportive of WSMB’s mission. The WSMB looks forward to working with all interested parties in the development of projects and programs that support the needs of Wisconsin’s soybean farmers.

If there are any questions, please contact Adam Kask by phone (507) 304-0956 or by email Adam Kask

For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Sandy Fowler or Casey Hillmer.

The Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA), through the Raw Products Committee, is directly involved in the allocation of funding for research efforts of food processors and seed companies.  Research proposals which were submitted and selected are funded by money raised jointly by the food processors and seed companies.

The Midwest Food Products Association (MWFPA) is seeking research project proposals that are supportive of the suggested topics and other topics that are important for the Midwest vegetable processing industry.

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

General Information
The Fertilizer Research Program is funded by a tonnage assessment on fertilizer and soil amendments sold in the state and administered by the Wisconsin Fertilizer Research Council (WFRC). The seven-member WFRC is comprised of representatives from farming, the agricultural chemicals industry, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The WFRC mission is:
To fund research and other designated activities to provide a scientific basis for and promote the philosophy that the fertilizer industry supports economically and environmentally sound recommendations, practices and technologies on fertilizer material usage by the end user.

As directed by State Statutes [Sec. 94.64 (8m)], the program funds applied soil fertility, soil management or plant nutrition research as these topics relate to the usage of fertilizers or their impacts on surface or groundwater in Wisconsin.

Application Process
All necessary proposal documents can be downloaded from http://www.frc.soils.wisc.edu

Questions:
FRC Programmatic questions should be directed to the Geoff Siemering (geoff.siemering@wisc.edu., 608-262-9969).
For questions regarding proposal preparation or the CALS submission process, please contact Michell Sass at 608-265-9534 or michell.sass@wisc.edu.

Projects that focus on enhancing the competitiveness of specialty crop industries through research, education, or market development are eligible. DATCP will use a competitive review process to select the most qualified projects. DATCP will include the projects in Wisconsin’s state plan and submit this to the U.S. Department of Agriculture for approval and funding.

Specialty crops are defined in law as fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture. Find a full list of eligible crops and more information about the program online at https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/scbgp.

​​​Wisconsin non-profit organizations, producer organizations, government agencies, universities and other agricultural groups are encouraged to apply for Specialty Crop Block Grant Program funds. Applications may involve collaborations or partnerships between entities.

Eligible project expenses include compensation for personnel, consultant services and subcontractors, materials and supplies, travel (excluding lodging and meal per diems) and miscellaneous costs (e.g. publications, printing and postage). Indirect costs and tuition/tuition remission are ineligible expenses. There is no matching funds requirement. See pages 5-6 of the RFP for further details.

Requests for Proposals information and application materials are can also be found online at https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Growing_WI/SpecialtyCropBlockGrants.aspx.

Contact Ryan Dunn at Ryand.dunn@wisconsin.gov or 608-590-7239 with programmatic questions.

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.

The North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) combines soybean check-off funds from its 13- member states to sponsor basic and applied research, Extension and outreach, and communications to increase soybean profitability and enhance and protect yield, while maintaining and improving soybean quality and composition, through genetic improvement, agronomics, and biotic and abiotic stress mitigation for soybean maturity groups 0 – IV.

Please see the following information for additional details about this opportunity:

Questions can be addressed to Dr. Ed Anderson, telephone (515) 334-1059 or email at eanderson@iasoybeans.com.

Please contact your department-assigned CALS Grant Administrator for proposal assistance.