Door County organic farms win funds to support local food production, hunger relief

Christopher Clough, Green Bay Press-Gazette
Updated ·2 min read
Lettuce on a farm
Lettuce on a farm

DOOR COUNTY - Five farm owners in Door County received a total of $35,000 in funds from the 2023 Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance program.

The goal of the program is "to strengthen local food systems, support Wisconsin farmers, and distribute fresh, nutritious foods to underserved communities," according to a news release announcing the awards. Those farms receiving funds will grow and provide food for hunger relief efforts.

The program is administered by the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection and Marbleseed, a Spring Valley-based nonprofit that provides resources and connections for organic and regenerative farmers across the Upper Midwest to support locally and regionally produced food systems. It is run in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service.

In all, a total of $1,438,500 was awarded to 165 farmers in 51 of the state's 72 counties, with individual amounts ranging from $3,000 to $20,000. Sixty percent of the recipients are part of a socially disadvantaged or historically underserved community, 56% are new or beginning farmers and 18% are farms owned by women.

The Door County farmers and farms receiving funds from the program are:

  • Sarah Cilley of Doors Fleurs and Orchard, a floral and fruit farm in southern Door County;

  • Miranda Hottenroth of Backyard Acres in Sturgeon Bay, which raises soy- and corn-free, organically fed, pasture-raised meat animals, as well as produce;

  • Jake VandenPlas of Door County Farm for Vets in Sturgeon Bay, a rehabilitation farm that raises livestock and grows cherries and apples organically while providing education to veterans interested in going into agriculture;

  • Daniel Bernard of Healthy Ridge Farm in Sturgeon Bay, which grows fruits and vegetables organically;

  • Anna Carlson of Carlson's Island View Orchard/Wildwood Market in Sister Bay, which grows cherries and other produce.

For more information on the program, visit wilocalfood.org. For the list of farmers and farms that received awards from the program, visit datcp.wi.gov/Documents2/LFPAfarmerlist.pdf.

Contact Christopher Clough at 920-562-8900 or cclough@doorcountyadvocate.com.

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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Door County farms win funds for local food production, hunger relief