Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market one of 27 to receive grant from Compeer Financial

Through its Compeer Giving program, Compeer Financial awarded $25,750 to 27 Wisconsin farmers markets. Farmers markets connect rural and urban, and the Farmers Market Organization Grant program is meant to elevate the impact of this connection with agriculture by supporting marketing, technology, education and engagement initiatives. An additional 44 farmers markets in Illinois and Minnesota also received grant funding.

“Spring unofficially marks the opening of farmers markets, which serve as an opportunity to build community between consumers and area farmers,” said Karen Schieler, manager of Compeer Giving at Compeer Financial. “We’re pleased to support the role farmers markets play in enabling farmers to share their passion, helping consumers understand the care with which food is grown, and driving economic progress for rural communities.”

Schieler noted that many applicants position their markets as hubs for both economic activity and community connection. Noting that increased visibility is critical to boosting both customer traffic and vendor participation, the majority of grant recipients (86 percent) intend to use the funding for marketing initiatives, such as social media campaigns, local advertising, signage and branding. Other frequently cited uses include:

• Infrastructure, such as tents, tables, signage and point-of-sale technology, to help create a more professional, weather-resilient and accessible market environment for both vendors and customers.
• Expanded food access through SNAP/EBT systems, matching programs and outreach to underserved populations to improve equitable access to local foods.
• Vendor training and tools to help vendors operate more efficiently in support of the long-term sustainability of the market.

To be eligible for the grant program, applicants must be an established farmers market within Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory that:

• Has at least three vendors of locally produced agricultural products.
• Is free and open to the public.
• Has posted hours of operation.

The 27 Wisconsin farmers markets, which serve nearly 913,000 visitors annually, receiving a grant from Compeer Giving are:

Wisconsin

• Belleville Farmers Market
• Beloit Farmers Market
• Boscobel Farmers Market
• Burlington Farmers Market, Inc.
• Dane County Farmers’ Market – Wednesday Market
• DeForest Farmers’ Market
• Dodgeville Farmers Market
• Downtown Fond du Lac Farmers Market
• Eau Claire Downtown Farmers Market
• Farmers Garden Market (Whitehall)
• Future Neenah Farmers Market
• Historic Delafield Farmers Market
• Jackson County Farmers Market
• Kenosha HarborMarket
• La Crosse Farmers Market Association
• Main Street Monroe Farmers Market
• Platteville Farmer’s Market
• Prairie du Chien Thursday Night Farmers Market
• Racine Farmers Market
• Richfield Farmers Market, Inc.
• Ridgeway Farmers Market
• River Falls Farmers Market
• Sheboygan County Interfaith Organization (SCIO) Farmers Market
• Sun Prairie Farmers Market
• TCC Farmers Market & Friends (Mayville)
• Verona Downtown Farmers Market
• Westside Community Market

About Compeer Giving

Compeer Giving is Compeer Financial’s robust corporate giving program, focused on philanthropic support for agriculture and rural communities across the upper Midwest. Since 2018, Compeer has distributed nearly $40 million – enhancing agriculture education and workforce, inspiring youth, empowering farmers, nurturing rural communities and equipping rural first responders. The Compeer Giving Board of Trustees is committed to creating a positive impact and supporting the vision for creating a world where agriculture and rural communities are dynamic, collaborative and thriving. More information about Compeer Giving can be found at Compeer.com/giving-back.