USDA Announces Iowa Value-Added Grants for Beef Producers on October 30: O'Connell Organic Acres in Dubuque County Receives $199,762
In Dubuque, Dubuque County, Iowa, USDA Rural Development Iowa State Director Mike Sexton announced in Des Moines on October 30 the fiscal year 2026 Value-Added Producer Grant awards in Iowa, including $199,762 to O'Connell Organic Acres LLC of Dubuque County.
The family-owned farm will use the grant as working capital for hired-labor expenses, marketing, processing, and purchasing supplies and e-commerce software to support meat and poultry production, including grass-fed beef, pasture-raised pork, and poultry. A second Iowa award of $48,000 went to Blair Carney Farms LLC in Adair County for marketing and processing activities.
Nationally, USDA Rural Development is investing $26.5 million in 194 agricultural projects through the program, with $11.6 million going to 80 beef producer projects. Applications are typically accepted between January and May, depending on funding allocation.
Source: GSM America
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：迪比克市朱利安·迪比克大桥与市中心。Richie Diesterheft摄，CC BY 2.0，经Wikimedia Commons。 / Julien Dubuque Bridge and downtown Dubuque. Photo by Richie Diesterheft, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
