With winter approaching, now is a good time to start thinking about project ideas for the next round of Organic Market Development Grants due in August 2025.
The OMDG program supports the development of new and expanded organic markets to help increase the availability and demand for domestically produced organic agricultural products. The program focuses on building and expanding capacity for certified organic production, aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, distribution, and development of consumer markets.
The OMDG program offers three types of grants:
- Simplified Equipment-Only Grants between $10,000 and $100,000 fund equipment purchases to expand organic businesses.
- Market Development & Promotion Grants between $100,000 and $3,000,000 fund activities to develop new or expand existing organic markets.
- Processing Capacity Expansion Grants between $100,000 and $3,000,000 fund equipment, infrastructure, and processes that improve organic agriculture production, distribution, and processing capacity.
Three Wisconsin projects were awarded in 2024, including W. Hughes Farms G.P. (featured in the photo above) for their proposal to develop a farmer-led craft malt operation, the first of its kind in the state.
See all past awarded projects: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg/awards
Learn more about the program: https://www.ams.usda.gov/services/grants/omdg
