Sept. 21, 2026
VERNON COUNTY, Wis. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture is investing $800,000 across four value-added agricultural projects in Wisconsin, headlined by $200,000 federal grants awarded to two local producers in Southwest Wisconsin to scale their regional operations.
USDA Rural Development Wisconsin State Director Andrew C. Iverson announced the funding under the competitive Value-Added Producer Grants (VAPG) program. The federal grants assist independent agricultural producers in generating new value-added products, entering broader retail channels, and increasing producer revenue.
“Wisconsin’s agricultural producers are engaged in a wide range of innovative activities from converting maple syrup into natural energy products, to repurposing worm castings as organic soil amendments, and advancing the production of pasteurized meats, crop seeds, and other goods,” Iverson said.
Driftless Seed Company (Soldiers Grove)
In Soldiers Grove, Driftless Seed Company, LLC secured a $200,000 working capital grant to support the processing, marketing, and market expansion of its organic specialty crop seeds.
The company operates a collaborative network with local farms to produce vegetable, flower, and native prairie seeds adapted specifically for Midwest growing conditions and microclimates. Focusing on certified organic, non-GMO, and untreated seeds, Driftless Seed Supply emphasizes regional seed stewardship and supply transparency over international supply chains.
The USDA grant will allow the operation to expand its customer base throughout the Midwest while creating four new jobs.
B&E’s Trees / Embark Maple (Viroqua)
In Viroqua, B&E’s Trees, LLC—operating as Embark Maple—was awarded a $200,000 grant to expand the marketing, sales, and distribution of its maple syrup energy products.
Co-founded by Bree Breckel and Eric Weninger, the tree farm initially established its reputation through flagship Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup, aged in barrels sourced from Central Waters Brewing Company. The enterprise later expanded into natural athletic nutrition with re-sealable “Maple Energy” pouches, which combine organic maple syrup and sea salt into clean performance nutrition for endurance athletes and outdoor recreationists.
“As farmers receive less & less of the American food dollar,” said cofounder Eric Weninger. “Farms need to adapt to market realities to be financially viable. Value-added agriculture gives small family farms a fighting chance for survival by connecting their hard work directly to customers. People want to support each other, and this couldn’t be more evident than purchasing food directly from the farmers that produce it. The USDA Value-Added Producer Grant will help us process, market & sell our innovative pouches Embark Maple Energy product to new customers, while helping build & support a local value-added farm ecosystem.”
With the federal funding, B&E’s Trees plans to expand its customer reach by 7,698 new customers, generate $446,471 in new revenue, create two jobs, and preserve two existing positions.
Additional Wisconsin Awardees
The two Driftless area operations were funded alongside two other eastern Wisconsin grant recipients:
- GW Organics, LLC (East Troy): Received $200,000 to expand marketing and shipping of pasteurized beef and poultry to new geographic markets, adding 1,118 new customers and saving two jobs.
- Lush Farms, LLC (New Berlin): Received $200,000 to expand sales and distribution of harvested worm castings as nutrient-rich, organic soil amendments.
Administered by USDA Rural Development, the VAPG program provides up to $200,000 in working capital to generate higher product margins and drive rural economic development.
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