Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig Has announced the return of the Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants, which match up to $25,000 per project to boost the availability of locally grown, raised, and produced foods, beverages, and agricultural products. The grants aim to help farmers, businesses, and nonprofits diversify their offerings and provide more local food choices to consumers. Naig says, “Choose Iowa continues to build momentum because consumers are driving strong demand for local Iowa products. Choose Iowa grants help farmers and small businesses add value, tap into new markets, and enhance consumer choice, all while generating economic activity within our communities.” Funding can be used for processing, packaging, sales innovations, or projects like on-farm stores, cold storage, or commercial kitchen upgrades. While meat and dairy processing projects are excluded, separate grants are available for those. The program has been highly competitive, with nearly $2.4 million in requests over two years. Applications are open to Iowa residents, businesses, and nonprofits, with preference given to small to medium-sized businesses. Applications are due by noon on Jan. 31, 2025, and links to the forms are included with this story on our website. Grant recipients will be announced in April.
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