LANDER — In 2024, the Wyoming Regional Food Business Center (WYRFBC) team launched the Startup Business Builder grant program. The program gives small and medium sized producers and food makers direct monetary awards to increase local and regional food supply chains and capacity. Applicants were not required to provide matching funds to receive the grant. 

The grant was funded by the USDA through the Northwest and Rocky Mountain Regional Food Business Center (RFBC), which provides regional support for local food businesses in Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Washington and Oregon. Strengthening Wyoming’s food system independence and resilience has recently been found to contribute a net economic impact of more than $36 million annually to Wyoming’s economy.

Recent federal legislation has eliminated funding for the RFBC. Per the stop work order from Brooke Rollins, U.S. secretary of agriculture, this program no longer aligns with the priorities and policies of the administration. The changes will go into effect Sept. 15. However, the grantees have been informed they will still receive their awards in accordance with the RFBC’s mission.

The WYRFBC team stipulated  that applicants must participate in a free six-part educational series entitled “Market Course: A Guide to Selling Wyoming Local Foods,” hosted by the WYRFBC team and the University of Wyoming Extension. Pairing technical assistance with the monetary awards increases the likelihood of business success and efficient use of the funds. 

The market course’s final session took place in March of 2025. The Wyoming Startup Business Builder grant application deadline followed shortly thereafter. 

Of the grant applications submitted, 24 projects were awarded funding for a total of approximately $313,000 in allocations. Applicants could apply for up to $15,000 in funds intended to assist these Wyoming local foods producers and food businesses in expansion of their post-production operations. 

Use of funds through the proposed projects will vary widely, from the purchase of cold storage equipment to hiring marketing consultants for company rebranding. See the full list of awarded projects and businesses below.  

The Wyoming Startup Business Builder grant awardees met virtually for the first of four follow-up meetings on Wednesday, July 9. They asked questions about the reporting process and fund delivery for their grants and shared their project overviews with their fellow producers and food makers. These meetings not only allow the grant recipients to ask questions about the grant process but also act as an informal network for these businesses to share knowledge, collaborate, and coordinate — ultimately enhancing business success. 

Carol Stoltenburg was among those who volunteered to share her proposed project with the group. Stoltenburg is the owner/operator of Branch & Vine Herbs, a storefront market in Buffalo, Wyoming.   

“Buffalo is about 30 minutes away from many local products … and so one of my project areas was to get a merchandising refrigerator and freezer,” she said. “These two pieces of equipment will really help me be able to start selling local beef and pork and lamb and just a lot more dairy products. I have a lot of people lined up and I want to start selling to them. 

“I’m really excited because, you know, I hear from my customers all the time about how they’re so happy that the store is here and they don’t have to drive all the way up to Sheridan or go out to Gillette to get the things that they need. They can get bread, they can get fruit, they can get milk, eggs, all of that stuff at my store — so yeah, I’m just really excited to expand… It’s a small store now, but I want to keep growing.” 

Noriko Tenhulzen with Pure Oats of Powell also shared how she is using her Wyoming Startup Business Builder grant award. Tenhulzen purchased a banner branded with her company name for a farmers market display and also hired a consultant to provide expert guidance around establishing sales channels within the Amazon Marketplace.  

Other businesses who shared about their projects at the initial follow-up meeting included: Jon Shumway of Shumway Farms in Afton, Vicki Sherman of Mountain Fresh Produce in Pinedale and Deidre Fergeson with Meadowlark Market, a local food hub under the Slow Food Wind River chapter in Lander.