IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RECEIVES $103,000 TO PROMOTE SPECIALTY CROPS ACROSS THE STATE

IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE RECEIVES $103,000 TO PROMOTE
SPECIALTY CROPS ACROSS THE STATE
Funds Will Support Growers of Alternative Crops, such as Fruits and Vegetables, Nuts and Flowers

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has received a $103,249.43 grant from the USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

“Specialty crops are a very important part of Iowa agriculture as they allow farmers to diversify and give customers access to locally grown products,” Northey said. “These funds will support marketing and promotional efforts that will let Iowans become more aware of the products we have and encourage them to choose the products that are produced right here in the state.”

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program assists state departments of agriculture in enhancing the competitiveness of U.S. specialty crops. Specialty crops are defined as fruits and vegetables, dried fruit, tree nuts and nursery crops, including flowers.

Forty percent of the grant will be distributed to eight specialty crop organizations for marketing and promoting efforts. The groups were awarded funds after submitting proposals through a competitive grants process. The remaining funds will be used by the Department to support promotions of specialty crops, producer education and staff and professional development and education.

The groups receiving funds and how they will be used are listed below.

Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association: Marketing the real Christmas tree industry
Iowa Organic Association: Promoting Iowa’s Organic Products
Mississippi Valley Growers Association, Inc.: Floriculture and Nursery Crops Promotion at the Bettendorf Farmers Market
North Iowa Farmers Market (Mason City): Building for the Future at North Iowa Farmers Market
Springville Economic Development Corporation Downtown Farmers Market: Enhancement of Specialty Products Sales
Drake Neighborhood Farmers Market (Des Moines): Specialty Crops Promotion Project
Belmond Area Farmers Market: Fresh & Local in Our Hometown Program
Mahaska County Ag. & Rural Development (Oskaloosa): Promoting Mahaska County’s Farmers’ Market

“The Department is excited to partner with these groups to increase the consumption of locally produced food and products here in Iowa,” Northey said.

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