Local businesses receive federal grants for agricultural expansion

SOLDIERS GROVE, Wis. (WKBT) — Two local agricultural businesses will receive federal funding to expand their operations and reach new markets.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Monday that Driftless Seed Company, LLC in Soldiers Grove and B&E's Trees, LLC in Viroqua will each receive $200,000 Value-Added Producer Grants. The grants are part of an $800,000 investment in four agricultural projects across Wisconsin.

Driftless Seed Company will use the funding to grow its organic seed business, which specializes in vegetable, flower and native prairie seeds for Midwest growers. The company expects to add four jobs.

B&E's Trees will use the funding to expand its maple syrup energy product business. The company expects to add nearly 7,700 customers, increase revenue by $446,471, and create or save four jobs, according to the USDA...