The Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Coalition (NIFF) with assistance from the County Economic Development offices has awarded $1400 in mini-grants to local food producers. These grants were available to help producers with new or expanding local food production, processing, marketing or distribution in the five northeast Iowa counties of Allamakee, Clayton, Winneshiek, Fayette and Howard.
The grant funds may be used for start-up or expansion costs related to planting new crops that will be sold for local consumption, such as grapes, nuts, fruits or vegetables.
In 2008, $7545 was awarded to 20 producers. The grant money was used as capital to leverage an additional $108,242 in funding.
This grant opportunity is part of a much larger effort of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative to promote and encourage the procurement and consumption of local healthy food and active lifestyles for youth and families in the five-county region. These grant dollars are being made available through funding provided by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Regional Food Systems Working Group and Wallace Foundation Funds.
Additional information about the NIFF Coalition can be found at www.niffcoalition.org and information about the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative can be found at www.iowafoodandfitness.org.
ALLAMAKEE COUNTY
Farm Stand Marketing
Bob Raymond of Lansing received $500 toward the purchase of signage and promotional material to aid in the start-up of a new retail outlet (farm stand) for GROWN Locally just outside of Lansing.
Garden Expansions
Bobbie Young of Waukon and Kathy Kruse of Dorchester each received $100 to expand a garden to attend the farmers market and possibly sell to a coop.
Expand Poultry Production
Ryan and Kristine Jepsen of Dorchester received $500 to expand pastured poultry production on newly certified organic farm. They will construct 10 portable shelters and raise 1500 birds per season.
Marketing Locally Grown Food
The 66 Café received $200 to assist with the marketing of their locally grown menu items.
CLAYTON COUNTY
Expand Honeybee Production
Bill & Louise Johnson received $500 to purchase additional equipment for honeybee production. They plan to double production to 10,000 lbs of honey per year.
Acreage Expansion
Phil and Charlotte Waldbeser received $500 to plant 5 acres of organic fruits and vegetables and purchase a 2 wheel, walk behind tractor.
Greenhouse Improvements
Christine Miller received $500 to install lights in greenhouse to increase growing season and production. They are also remodeling a store in McGregor that will be an organic, locally grown store in June 2008.
FAYETTE COUNTY
Production Expansion
Francis Martin of Wadena received $375 for expansion of vegetable plantings.
Greenhouse Expansion
Colleen Ohrt of Clermont received $300 for expansion of a hoophouse.
Construction of Packing Shed
Ann Bushman of Fort Atkinson received $285 toward the construction of a packing shed.
Construction of Hydroponic System
Scott Smalley of Oelwein received $340 for the construction of a hydroponic growing system.
New Vegetable Grower
Rick Fink of Maynard received $100 for start-up costs for vegetable production.
HOWARD
Marketing Materials
Artesian Fresh of LeRoy/Chester received $325 for marketing materials to promote a new local artesian water bottling facility.
The Howard County Farmers Market Association received $220 to purchase signage and materials to promote the farmers markets--six of which are new.
WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Orchard Expansion
David Sliwa of Decorah received $300 to expand his orchard with 60 pear trees.
Facility Expansion
Eric Sessions of Decorah received $300 to assist in construction of hoophouse to be used for tomato production which will be marketed at Farmers market, CSA, coop and restaurants.
Glen Elsbernd of Calmar received $300 to buy additional equipment for a new packing shed.
Chris Askelson of Decorah received $200 to enclose a greenhouse which will enable him to start seeds earlier in the season.
Poultry Expansion
Jennifer Kohlmeyer of Decorah received $300 to purchase nesting boxes for laying hens and to buy egg cartons and labels.