Farming programs in Iowa are receiving a portion of federal funds. | Unsplash
Farming programs in Iowa are receiving a portion of federal funds. | Unsplash
Approximately $100 million in CARES Act funds has been allocated to agricultural programs in Iowa by Gov. Kim Reynolds.
“Iowa is at the foundation of our global food supply chain and the epicenter of the renewable fuels industry,” Reynolds said in a press release from her office. “COVID-19 and a devastating derecho dealt a major blow to everything from the demand for ethanol to the supply of meat on grocery store shelves. But just as important are the livelihoods of thousands of Iowa farm families, agricultural industries and the communities they support. Today’s investment reflects the critical role Iowa’s ag industry has in our state's overall economic recovery.”
Within the last year, Iowa has exported over $16 billion worth of agricultural goods, which is why it's so important these programs receive this funding.
“This has been a tough year for the agriculture community. I'm grateful that Gov. Reynolds has been a strong advocate for the farmers and agribusinesses in our state,” Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said in the press release. “The programs funded by the CARES Act will help our farmers, renewable fuels retailers and producers, and small meat processors respond to market disruptions and continue on the road to recovery.”
Programs receiving funding include:
The Iowa Livestock Producer Relief Fund, which provides grants to pork, beef, chicken, turkey, dairy, fish or sheep farmers, received $60 million.
The Renewable Fuel Retail Recovery Program, which supports retail fueling infrastructure expansion, received $ 7 million.
The State Biofuel Grant Program, which provides relief to Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers, received $15.5 million.
The Iowa Disposal Assistance Program, which provides payments to producers to recoup expenses, received $9 million.
The Iowa Beginning Farmer Debt Relief Fund, which provides funding to farmers impacted by COVID-19, received $6 million.
The Meat Processing Development and Expansion Program, which aids small meat processors, received $2 million.
The Farm Produce and Protein Program, which helps specialty agriculture producers, received $500,000.
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