Three Sheboygan County farmers were selected by the Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade and Consumer Protection to be producers for a program that aims to relieve hunger across the state.
Paj Ploua Vang, Betty Yang, who operates Feng Farm, and Tony Hottenroth of M&T’s Gibbsville Orchard were awarded funds through the 2023 Wisconsin Local Food Purchase Assistance Program. 165 farmers in all were given between $3,000 and $20,000 to grow crops for the program. Of that number, 60 percent are part of a socially disadvantaged or historically under-served community, while nearly that many are new or beginning farmers. 18 percent of the farms involved are owned by women.
The LFPA program is run by the state in cooperation with the USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service, and aims to strengthen local food systems, support Wisconsin farmers, and distribute fresh, nutritious foods to underserved communities.
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