News

September 4, 2008

harkin announces more than $1.8 million in rural development funding to promote iowa agriculture initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) had awarded $1,826,500 in rural development funding to promote various Iowa agriculture initiatives.  The funding was secured through the Value-Added Producer Grant Program.  In his capacity as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, Harkin has supported the program in the last two farm bills.

“Iowa agriculture is at the heart of so many things we use each day: from the food we eat to the new generation of fuels we need to reduce our country’s dependence on foreign oil,” said Harkin.  “This funding will go a long way toward ensuring the products we make in Iowa get out into the larger buying market.  I congratulate all recipients on these competitive awards.”

The following Iowa initiatives received funding.  All of these entities are farmer owned.

Dorothy O’Brien of Clinton received a grant of $25,000 to market wine produced from organically grown grapes.

Delaware County Meats, LLC of Dyersville received a grant of $68,000 for working capital expenses associated with marketing meat products to hospitals, nursing homes and colleges in Iowa.

Asoyia, Inc. of Iowa City received a grant of $300,000 for working capital expenses associated with marketing Mid-Oleic Ultra Low Lin soybean oil.

Batey, Ltd. of Mt. Pleasant received a grant of $142,500 for working capital expenses associated with marketing wood pellets.

West Wind Energy, LLC of Fort Dodge received a grant of $98,000 to assess the feasibility of marketing wind-generated electricity.

Homeland Energy Solutions, LLC of Riceville received a grant of $300,000 for working capital expenses associated with marketing ethanol.

Sirroco, LLC of Pomeroy received a grant of $100,000 to assess the feasibility of generating electricity from wind.

Iowa Great Lakes Nursery and Floral Ltd. of Spirit Lake received a grant of $100,000 to determine the feasibility of turning wind into electricity to provide energy to an ammonia production facility.

Maple River Energy, LLC of Holstein received a grant of $300,000 for working capital expenses associated with marketing bio-diesel from soybeans.