Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Henry A. Wallace Building
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
(515) 281-5321

For Immediate Release
January 24, 2002

(Des Moines, IA.) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Patty Judge announced today the list of recipients of specialty crop grant funds made available through the Iowa Department of Agriculture. Matching grant proposals were considered from organizations involved in the promotion, inspection, and/or research of specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables and trees.

The grants were given through the Iowa Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Grant Program, funded by the USDA to promote specialty crops.

“I am pleased to announce this list of recipients. These worthwhile organizations represent a diverse segment of agriculture from across Iowa. Their innovative ideas and projects will promote and enhance our agricultural base,” Iowa’s Ag Leader stated.

Those receiving grant funding are: Mississippi Valley Growers Association (Davenport metro area), Black Walnut Cultivar Performance Project (Iowa Nut Growers Association), Iowa Fruit & Vegetable Growers, Iowa Nursery & Landscape Association, The Apple Industry of Iowa, Drake University Law Center/Iowa Food Policy Council, Iowa Grape Growers Association, Iowa Honey Producers Association, GROWN Locally (northeast Iowa), Sunflower Fields (northeast Iowa), Maquoketa Valley Producers (eastern Iowa), Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association, Southwest Iowa Latino Resource Center, Mount Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, Dubuque Farmer’s Market, Western Iowa Grape Growers Association, Black Hawk Farmers Market Association, Premium-Grade Edamame and Sweet Corn Project (statewide), Iowa Network for Community Agriculture, Iowa Harvest L.L.C. (Atlantic area), Southeast Iowa Nut Growers, Practical Farmers of Iowa, Iowa Producers Cooperative, Drake Neighborhood Farmer’s Market (Des Moines area), and The Wright County Project (Belmond area.)

Forty-one grant applications were received. A committee composed of representatives of organizations involved in specialty crop production and Iowa Department of Agriculture personnel chose recipients. The deadline for submitting applications was January 4th.

“We must work to assist all of those engaged in agriculture, whether it’s traditional crops, such as corn and soybeans, or specialty crops, such as fruits, vegetables, and trees. There is room for everyone at the table,” Secretary Judge concluded.

For more information contact:
Machelle Shaffer
Communications Director
515/281-7808 or cell 515/975-2626