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Grow business by selling to DATCP, FSA
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The next Inventors and Entrepreneurs Club meeting is Wednesday, March 11 at the Food Enterprise Center, 1201 North Main Street in Viroqua. Networking starts at 5:30 p.m, the program begins at 6 p.m.

This month’s topic is “Selling to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP) and the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA)”.  The program will cover financial opportunities to help grow your business.

Kietra Olson from DATCP will speak about the Buy Local, Buy Wisconsin grant program, the Local Food Business Seminar series, and the Farm to School program.

Patrick Dardis, USDA FSA Deputy Director and Head of Contracting Activity Designee in the Kansas City Commodity Office, will discuss procurement opportunities.

Susan Hunter, Columbia County FSA Office Executive Director, will talk about microloans, farm loan programs and the Non-Insurable Disaster Assistance Program for uninsurable fruit and vegetable crops, including maple sap, honey, and aquaculture.

A representative from the Small Business Administration may also attend and answer questions on small business loans or certifications.

This presentation is sponsored by the Wisconsin Procurement Institute (WPI) in Wauwatosa, whose mission is “working together to bring more federal dollars back to Wisconsin.”

The meetings are free and no reservations are required.  Whether you have an idea or just like to think business, join in for a dynamic evening of networking with lots of creative people. Everyone is welcome.

The I&E club is organized jointly by the Crawford County Economic Development Corporation, Vernon Economic Development Association and Viroqua Chamber Main Street.

For more information, contact David Connolly at dcnnlly@gmail.com or 326-0234, Sue Noble at snoble@veda-wi.org or 638-8332, or Nora Roughen-Schmidt at vcmsprograms@gmail.com or 637-2575.