Farm Bureau is holding its annual Grow Your Future competition for grants, where Iowans can vote for their favorite farms in a contest for granted funding. The voting period begins December 4 at 12:00 am and will close December 10 at 11:59 pm, and can be found at https://iowafarmbureau.wishpondpages.com/iowa-farm-bureau-s-grow-your-future-award-2023/. Voters can vote once per day. Email verification required to vote. The three with the most votes will move onto the pitch-off round held on February 3, 2024, at the Young Farmer Conference, for possible grants of $7,500 to $2,500 for the top three farms.
Two local farms are in the running, Sweet Seasons Farms of Winneshiek County, and Recipes from French Creek Farm of Allamakee County.
Sweet Season Farms, of rural Calmar, is hoping to use grants funds for a vegetable wash-pack project which includes the infrastructure we need to wash our organic produce efficiently. This funding would help us better serve our community through the Iowa Food Hub, Decorah Farmers Market, and our CSA programs! This project includes a walk-in cooler, washing and drying equipment for salad greens, spray tables for the wide range of veggies we grow.
Recipes from French Creek Farm, of rural Lansing, uses local produce from their own farm and local farms to create freezer meals for families. Their granted funds would go towards the purchase of commercial kitchen equipment, as well as expanding her capacity to produce more meals with a larger space as well as staff.
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