Iowa Dep. of Ag Announces Specialty Crop Grant
And Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is now accepting applications for the 2022 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program. These grants are to be used to raise awareness or drive demand for specialty crops in Iowa.
According to Naig in a recent release.
Specialty crop block grants are a win-win for producers, distributors and consumers. The programs they support will help strengthen local distribution channels and grow markets for Iowa producers, while also making it easier for consumers to buy products grown right here in Iowa.
Crops eligible for the grant include fresh and processed fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, and horticulture and nursery crops.
Applicants are asked to show how their projects can improve specialty crop production and all projects must have an educational aspect.
Grant awardees could receive up to $24,000 and projects could take up to thirty months.
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship asks that proposals be in by March 11th, 2022. More information is available on the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program website.
Iowan Earns Key Staff Role in USDA
The USDA announced some key staff appointments on Wednesday, one being someone from Iowa.
Tim Gannon was named the Chief of Staff for Farm Production and Conservation.
Gannon is a graduate of the University of Iowa where he earned a degree in Global Studies.
Gannon recently served as the Coalitions Advisor for the Biden-Harris campaign in Iowa where his role was outreach and communications with farms, agriculture, and rural groups. He also would speak with activists that focus on rural American policies.