The iowa department of agriculture and land stewardship will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with…

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (awardee) will receive $353,519.35 under a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program award from the United States Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA AMS). The funding period is from September 30, 2021 through September 29, 2024.

The awardee will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through efforts to market and promote specialty crops in Iowa. This includes assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops and expanding availability and access to specialty crops in the state. The awardee will also address local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers through various projects and activities with grant recipients. The goal is to benefit residents of all U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. Performance outcomes must be evidenced to USDA AMS.

The iowa department of agriculture and land stewardship will enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops through leveraging efforts to market and promote specialty crops; assisting producers with research and development relevant to specialty crops; expanding availability and access to specialty crops; and addressing local, regional, and national challenges confronting specialty crop producers through a variety of activities/projects with their grant recipients. Beneficiaries include the residents of all 50 states, 5 territories, and the district of columbia. Performance evidence in the form of measurable outcomes is required.