In February President Barack Obama signed the $956 billion farm bill. It goes into effect October 1st.
Now the United States Department of Agriculture is getting its first chunk of that money - $52 million. It will be used to invest in farmers' markets and organic farming.
Bloomington Community Farmers' Market coordinator Marcia Veldman says they have applied to similar programs in the past, but haven't been successful.
"I think it's important that the USDA, in acknowledging the vital role of farmers' markets and local food systems, that they put money towards assisting the growth in those areas," Veldman said.
Veldman says the Bloomington market is fortunate to have such deep roots in its community, as many others struggle for marketing funds.
She says the primary reason the Bloomington Farmers' Market is seeking grant money is to help fund the Double Market Bucks program, which has been funded from a private foundation for the last two years.
The program allows people who are using SNAP benefits to receive a matching dollar amount to spend at the market.