Farm advocacy group Go Farm Connect will be holding a farm tour and field day at Whetstone Farm in Amery on Wednesday, August 14, 2024 from 4:30–6:30pm. They will introduce farmers to new financial and technical resources available through the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). The farm is at 281 135th St, Amery, WI. Snacks will be provided. Hmong and other language interpretation services are available upon request. Residents and agricultural support staff in Polk, Eau Claire, Chippewa, Dunn, and Barron counties are encouraged to attend. You do not need to own land to participate. Pre-register at gofarmconnect.org/events.
Whetstone Farm
Whetstone Farm is a dynamic collaborative farm with a focus on community building and resiliency in sustainable farming. Emily Hanson and Klaus Zimmerman, farmers at Whetstone, grow certified organic vegetables and grass-fed beef and lamb for direct market.
The organizers for this event are Bonnie Warndahl, of Winnowburrow Farm and Florals in Colfax, and also Matt Hardy of Rust Hill Ranch in Scandia, MN. Both are trained peer Connectors with Go Farm Connect, a program that offers one-on-one support to farmers, by farmers, in accessing financial and technical resources. Warndahl is also a Farmland Access Specialist and Farm Succession Coordinator at Renewing the Countryside. They welcome all farmers to attend—no matter how large or small their operation.
“I’m excited to tour Whetstone Farm and introduce folks to the amazing work Emily and Klaus have been doing there with the help of the great USDA staff in Polk County!” says Warndahl.
“Rust Hill Ranch has directly benefited from USDA programs. These include EQIP grants that helped us accelerate our livestock operation,” said Hardy. “Funding for projects included: perimeter fence, pasture planting, water well, rotational grazing, and more.”
Resources
The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) offer a wide variety of farm loans and programs. These include crop insurance, infrastructure cost-shares, and planning tools that benefit farmers and landowners. Many farmers don’t know they qualify for USDA services that can positively impact their farm business. For example, FSA offers low-interest loans to farmers which can be used for start-up costs, expansion, equipment purchases, building a storage facility, and more. NRCS has programs that help with conservation plans, cover crop plans, grazing plans, and much more, as well as cost-share assistance for infrastructure like high tunnels and livestock watering systems.
