The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has awarded 33 Choose Iowa value-added grants totaling $463,000 to Iowa farmers and small businesses located in 28 counties. Five Central Iowa producers received grants: Bochner Farms in Indianola, Iowa Orchard in Urbandale, Honey Hollow Apiary and Gardens in Indianola, Rose Farm in Norwalk, and V&B Farms in Ames. Grant recipients were eligible to receive up to $25,000 in cost-share per project to increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings, expand markets and shorten supply chains, a news release said. Since the Choose Iowa value-added grant program launched in 2022, the department has awarded nearly $1.64 million in state-funded cost-share to 100 projects. To view the full list of recipients, click here.