Choose Iowa grants help Bettendorf winery, others diversify products [Video]

Twenty-six farmers, small businesses and nonprofits in Iowa received grants totaling over $400,000 to help them increase and/or diversify their products.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 26 Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants in 22 counties totaling $463,000. The grants will help leverage a total investment made by grant awardees of $1,993,190.47. The announcement was made as part of Iowa Ag Week.

Locally, Olathea Creek Winery in Bettendorf will receive $25,000 from the program to increase production capacity and product availability by adding specialized bottling and processing equipment.

Choose Iowa is the state’s brand for Iowa grown, raised and made products. These cost-share grants, which match up to $25,000 per project, help Iowa farmers, businesses and nonprofits increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, expand markets and shorten supply chains.

This year’s grants support a variety of projects including delivery and …