News

Naig lauds launch of ‘Choose Iowa’ dairy grants

Iowa has launched a dairy innovation grant program that can help expand the availability of dairy products for consumers.

State Ag Secretary Mike Naig tells Brownfield the funds were authorized during last year’s legislation session with an overall budget of $750,000 the first year.

“It’s really targeted at smaller dairy (operations),” he said. “Trying to look at grants that would help bring on some new on-farm dairy processing, maybe looking at making cheese or yogurt or frozen yogurt, and packaging equipment.”

According to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the concept builds off other recent Iowa cost-share grant programs, including the Choose Iowa Value-Added Grant and Butchery Innovation and Revitalization Program.

Naig says the dairy program will also help reduce farm labor costs. “Some grant dollars to help pay for a robotic milker, feed system, or health monitoring systems. I call it Fitbit for cattle. It’s ways to monitor health and productivity.”

He says applicants must be located in Iowa, have fewer than 50 employees, and be in good standing with pertinent regulatory agencies.

Applications are due through the Choose Iowa online portal by Noon Central Time on Friday, February 9^th. Grant recipients will be announced in March.