Six local agricultural producers receive $500 grants

The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition has awarded $500 grants to six Winneshiek County food producers to help them start or expand local food production.

Recipients of the grants were selected by a judging team led by Winneshiek County Development, Inc. All six recipients in Winneshiek County were awarded $500 grants, the maximum allotted.

WCDI Director Randy Uhl said the quality of the projects to increase local-food production has risen sharply in recent years.   "The maximum award for these grants is $500 and each winner in our county deserved that amount."

--Brian Nordschow, Prairie View Vineyard, 1968th 185th Ave., Decorah, received $500 for a walk-in cooler for the table-grape operation.
--Kyle and Mari Holthaus, Kymar Acres, 2168 Winnamakee Road, Decorah, received $500 for farm stand construction.
--Marty Grimm, Upper Iowa Organics, LLC, 2251 Oil Well Road, Decorah, received $500 for fencing for organically-raised livestock.
--Michael and Laurie Tallman, 1218 120th Ave., Castalia, received $500 to renovate a hoghouse into a greenhouse.
--Mike Bollinger and Katie Prochaska, River Root Farm, 2789 River Road, Decorah, received $500 for a walk-in cooler and pack house equipment.
--Sarah Wicks, Given Gardens, Decorah, received $500 for a hoop house.