Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Program receives $15,700 state grant

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative will receive a $15,700 state grant to provide technical assistance for Good Agricultural Practices certification.

The grant was one of 15 grants totaling $238,548 announced by Northey.  Iowa agricultural non-profit organizations, cooperatives, specialty crop industry associations or organizations, and producer groups were eligible to apply for funding to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops.

Grant funds had to be used for projects that benefit and enhance the competitiveness of the specialty crops industry as a whole.  "Specialty Crops" that are eligible under this program are fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops, including floriculture.