Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 13 Specialty Crop Block Grants to support education and outreach, research, and market development that benefits Iowa’s specialty crop producers, including Choose Iowa members.
“Specialty crop producers are finding new ways to grow, diversify and create value right here in Iowa, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship wants to help continue that momentum,” said Secretary Naig. “These Specialty Crop Block Grants support research, education and outreach that spur innovation and help Iowa’s specialty crop producers tap into new markets. Not only do these investments strengthen our state’s agriculture-based economy, but they also provide more opportunities for consumers to buy Iowa-grown, Iowa-made and Iowa-raised food, beverage and horticultural products.”
Annual funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grants is authorized by the Farm Bill and provided through a partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS). This year, Iowa received more than $435,000 through the federal grant program, and the funding will be distributed to the following grant recipients:
Iowa Specialty Crop Growers Association*
2027 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference
Source : iowaagriculture.gov