Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants
Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants support Iowa agricultural businesses and organizations with production, processing, and market-access projects to increase sales and reach new customers.
Funder: Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Applications open) | January 15, 2027, noon CST (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $25,000 per awardee; minimum 1:1 financial match; projects completed within 12 months
Summary: Supports Iowa value-added agricultural projects that increase sales through expanded production capacity or market access.
Key Information: Reimbursement only; projects cannot begin before award, and purchases must wait until both parties sign the agreement.
Description
Choose Iowa Value-Added Grants are competitive cost-share grants administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). The program expands access to Iowa-grown, Iowa-made, and Iowa-raised food, beverages, and other agricultural products by helping applicants increase production or processing capacity, diversify markets, and reach new customers.
Supported projects include value-added production equipment, on-farm stores, commercial kitchens, food hubs, direct-to-consumer technology, refrigeration, grading and packaging equipment, refrigerated trucks, and food processing courses or workshops. The program seeks achievable sales growth and measurable benefits for businesses and Iowa agriculture, including projects that reach many farmers and generate short- and long-term jobs and investment. Awards seek a variety of project types and geographic distribution across Iowa.
