The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $50 million to 141 awardees in 40 states, including Wisconsin. The awards aim to help improve the resiliency of the U.S. food supply chain by addressing agriculture labor challenges and instability.
The money comes through the Farm Labor Stabilization and Protection Pilot Program. The program is reaching 177 unique agricultural operations and over 11,000 workers.
“These awards will largely support small and mid-sized farms to ensure they can hire and retain the workers they need to be competitive in the market, while also lifting up rural communities across the country,” says Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Improving working conditions and quality of life for farmworkers, both U.S. based workers and those that come to our country to work, is one key step in building a stronger, more resilient food supply chain.”
USDA announced the program in September 2023 to help address workforce needs in agriculture. The grant money will support a range of required and elective supplemental commitments to expand benefits and protections for all employees.
Three Wisconsin farms received a grant: Leffel Roots, Olden Produce, and Steiner Farms. See the project details: https://www.ams.usda.gov/sites/default/files/media/2024FLSPAwardedGrants.pdf
