Building the Choose Iowa brand is gaining momentum as the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship this month awarded 28 cost-share grants to Iowa farmers, small businesses and nonprofits to help diversify and grow their agricultural product offerings.

It’s the second round of grant announcements in as many years, and the department hopes to continue growing the program with additional funding. 

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced the awards, totaling $463,000, at an event March 7 at Jasper Winery in Des Moines, one of...