Grants to assist in increasing local food production have been awarded to five Winneshiek County producers by the Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF). The grant money is intended to assist in starting or expanding local food production.
--Rock Spring Farm, owned by Chris and Kim Blanchard, received $500. The project involves making facility improvements on a vegetable washing, packing and distribution facility. The project will improve food safety and increase access to institutional markets for Rock Spring Farm.
--Sliwa Meadow Farm, owned by David and Perry-O Sliwa, will receive $500. Funding will be used to buy a high tunnel covered facility to extend the growing season for heirloom tomatoes. This facility would allow Sliwa Meadow Farm to continue producing in the fall after the first frost, as well as to improve quality and quantity during the regular growing season.
--Canoe Creek Produce, owned by Kevin and Barb Kraus, will receive $250. Funding will be used to help pay for a hoop house to extend the growing season, particularly of specialty greens and herbs.
--Ridgetop Acres, owned by Marissa and Scott Nordschow, will receive $500. Funding will be used to help pay for transforming an old hog house no longer in use into a structure for raising broiler chickens.
--Perry Halse of rural Decorah will receive $250. Funding will be used to help pay for a hoop house with two raised beds. This will provide ability to extend the length of the season at the beginning and at the end.
"These grants have been awarded for several years and its exciting to see the projects continue to get larger each year, with the end result of an increase in local-food production," said Winneshiek County Development Director Randy Uhl.