Ag Secretary Naig Announces Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants, Five in Northeast Iowa

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced that 15 Iowa dairy projects  have been awarded Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grants, including five in northeast Iowa. 

Naig says, “The Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant Program helps Iowa dairy farms by offering cost-share grants for new processing equipment or labor-saving technologies. Ultimately, consumers will benefit by enjoying a wider variety of Iowa dairy products. With funding for 15 projects, this program not only bolsters Iowa’s dairy industry but also supports the growth of these farms and the vitality of the surrounding communities.”

Robert Horst, a dairy farmer from Bristow in Butler County and President of the Iowa State Dairy Association, said, “Whether funding initiatives to address labor challenges on the farm, or providing equipment to expand dairy processing, the grant program is making a difference for dairy farmers and Iowans alike. We look forward to the continued success of this program, which supports Iowa dairy farm families and enhances access to Iowa-made dairy products.”

Choose Iowa received 33 grant requests totaling over $1.5 million, more than double the $750,000 appropriated. The cost-share grants match up to $100,000 per project. The 15 projects will leverage a total investment of over $4.1 million. 

Northeast Iowa Choose Iowa Dairy Innovation Grant recipients include almost $12,000 to Hightail Dairy of Plainfield. Receiving Labor-Reducing Technology grants include $100,000 to Enyart Dairy of Postville, over $33,000 to Hagen Dairy of Waterville, over $14,000 to Five M Dairy in Dorchester, and over $6,500 to Conway Farms of Lansing. 

On-Farm Processing

 Hightail | Plainfield | $11,688.00

Semi-automatic bottle filler, capper, and accessories

Total Project Budget: $23,376.00

Labor Reducing Technology    

 Conway Farms | Lansing | $6,500.00       

Milk Taxi

Total Project Budget: $13,354.00

Enyart Dairy | Postville | $100,000.00      

Two Lely A5 robotic milkers & One Lely Manure Collector

Total Project Budget: $612,772.00

Five M Dairy | Dorchester | $14,263.09     

Lely Juno Flex

Total Project Budget: $28,526.18

Hagen Dairy | Waterville | $33,242.27       

Trans-Iowa low-cost parlor

Total Project Budget: $75,545.00             

The grants are assisting dairies with investments in pasteurization equipment, packaging and bottling products, milking robots, health monitoring, automated feeding systems, cleaning assistance, and much more. The program funds are not eligible to cover start-up costs, advertising, public relations, salary/benefits/wages, existing debt or any expenses incurred prior to awarding the grant. With the legislative intent of assisting smaller dairies and farmers, grant awardees must be in Iowa, have fewer than 50 employees, and be in good standing with pertinent regulatory agencies. Only dairies permitted and inspected by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship were eligible.