Federal Farm Programs Open House

Residents of Barron, Eau Claire, Polk, Chippewa, & Dunn counties are invited to attend.

NEWS RELEASE-

Barron, WI - The Barron County United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) — Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) — in partnership with Go Farm Connect, will be hosting an in-office event on Wednesday, January 29, 2025 from 4:30–6:30 p.m. Staff will introduce farmers to financial and technical resources that can help their farm businesses grow. The event will be held in the Barron County Government Center, Room 110, at 335 E Monroe Ave, Barron, WI 54812 (phone 715-537-5645 ext 2).

Refreshments will be provided, and translation services upon request at registration. Residents of Eau Claire, Polk, Chippewa, and Dunn counties are also encouraged to attend. 

The USDA offers a wide variety of farm loans and programs such as crop insurance, infrastructure cost-shares, and planning tools that benefit farmers and landowners.

Matt Hardy and Bonnie Warndahl of Go Farm Connect—and staff from both FSA and NRCS—welcome farmers, no matter how large or small their operations. Beginning farmers are encouraged to attend.

Many farmers don’t know they qualify for USDA services that can positively impact their farm business and offer peace of mind. For example, FSA offers low-interest loans to farmers which can be used for start-up costs, expansion, equipment purchases, building a packshed or 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. 

“The Farm Service Agency offers many programs to assist local farmers and ranchers including conservation, price support, and disaster assistance programs. FSA offers low interest loans to help farmers and ranchers get the financing they need to start, expand, or maintain a family farm. Reach out to your local FSA office today to learn more about what they have to offer that may assist you in your farming operation.”

– Amy Mason

Agricultural Loan Specialist

Barron County FSA

(715) 537-5645

amy.mason@usda.gov

Event Registration Link: https://www.gofarmconnect.org/event-details-registration/usda-office-visit-for-barron-and-polk-county-wi-intro-to-federal-farm-programs

Event Organizers

Matt Hardy owns and operates Rust Hill Ranch (Scandia, MN), where his family raises beef, sheep, pigs, and chickens on pasture and in the forest. Hardy is a Connector with Go Farm Connect, and one of the organizers of the event. Phone: 715-396-1426

Bonnie Warndahl is a Farmland Access Specialist with Renewing the Countryside and a USDA Connector with Go Farm Connect, a program that offers one-on-one support to farmers, by farmers, in accessing financial and technical resources available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Warndahl in Dunn County on her small farm north of Colfax, producing cut flowers, dried beans, and fresh culinary mushrooms. Phone: 612-462-9311

Go Farm Connect (GFC) is a farmer-led initiative to build relationships between non-traditional, historically underserved specialty crop farmers and the agricultural support agencies that can help producers succeed. GFC Peer Connectors are trained to help farms of all sizes and specialties in Minnesota and Wisconsin access agricultural assistance programs.

The three-year project is led by Renewing The Countryside in partnership with the US Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency, and Natural Resources Conservation Service. For more information, visit www.gofarmconnect.org.