LARCHWOOD, Iowa, Sept. 24, 2020 – Trump Administration officials today announced a $250,000 investment to help Stensland Creamery launch sales of frozen pizza – the dairy’s newest value-added product. This funding award was made through the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Value-Added Producer Grant Program. Stensland Creamery will use USDA funding for working capital to expand the marketing and sales of pizza made with cheese produced by the Stensland dairy.
“Stensland Creamery has partnered with USDA to expand into new markets and support a growing local and regional food system in northwestern Iowa and beyond,” said USDA Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development Bette Brand, who was on-site for the announcement. “Under the leadership of President Trump and Agriculture Secretary Perdue, USDA has been working tirelessly to be a strong partner to rural America’s producers and small businesses in building stronger and more prosperous futures, because we know when rural America thrives, all of America thrives.”
Stensland, LLC is a small family-owned dairy operation in Larchwood, Iowa, that produces milk, cheese curds, cheese, and other dairy products.
Background:
The Value-Added Producer Grant (VAPG) program helps agricultural producers enter into value-added activities related to the processing and marketing of new products. The goals of this program are to generate new products, create and expand marketing opportunities and increase producer income.
Interested parties should contact their USDA Rural Development Iowa office for information about additional funding, application procedures and eligibility details. More information is available at the following link:Value-Added Producer Grant.
USDA Rural Development provides loans and grants to help expand economic opportunities and create jobs in rural areas. This assistance supports infrastructure improvements; business development; housing; community facilities such as schools, public safety and health care; and high-speed internet access in rural areas. For more information, visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia or call (515) 284-4663.
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