Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says applications are now open for the next round of Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants. The program offers matching awards of up to $25,000 to help farmers, small businesses and nonprofit organizations add value to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made and Iowa-raised products.
Grants may support projects involving processing, packaging, equipment, facility upgrades, workflow improvements, sales, food safety or workforce training. Meat and dairy processing projects are not eligible for this round but may qualify for other Choose Iowa programs.
Since 2022, the state has awarded nearly $1.64 million to support 100 projects, generating more than $5.6 million in local investment.
Applications are open to Iowa-based individuals and organizations, with details available on the Choose Iowa website. The deadline is noon Jan. 16, 2026.
