By Andi Anderson
The Choose Iowa program continues to grow as more agricultural businesses across the state join the effort to market and promote locally produced goods.
Each year, the initiative awards grants to farmers and ag‑related businesses while helping consumers connect with Iowa‑grown products. One example of this success is Vintage Beef, a family‑run operation in western Iowa that is thriving with the program’s support.
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig recently visited Aaron and Debbie Gress, who run Vintage Beef near Ricketts in Crawford County.
The couple shared details about their cattle herd during his visit. “How many head of do you have?” Naig asked. Aaron replied, “My brother and I have 330. They are Limousin-cross and Angus. We handpick the ones we use for our business.” The Gress family sells homegrown beef and provides customers with products raised directly on their farm.
Aaron explained why interest in local meat continues to rise, saying, “It seems like more and more people are trying to get closer to the farm with what they put in their bodies and feed their families. I think it can grow exponentially if it continues.”
Naig highlighted how programs like Choose Iowa make it easier for residents to buy local goods. He noted that buying beef in bulk directly from farmers can be more affordable, saying, “You think about buying more in bulk when you buy a half or a quarter of beef. There may be some sticker shock initially, but when you buy directly from a farmer, you can often get it for significantly less than you would if you bought the same group of cuts at the grocery store. What you're getting here is high-quality meat processed just like you wanted.”
Choose Iowa supports members by awarding $1.5 million in grants each year through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
According to Naig, “The majority of Iowans say that they will go out of their way to buy Iowa-grown, made and raised products. And so, we know the demand's there. We know there's interest on the part of the producers.” Grants fall under three main categories: Value‑Added, Dairy Innovation, and Butchery Innovation.
Vintage Beef received a $20,000 Value-Added Agricultural Grant to renovate an old train depot on their property and install a new walk‑in freezer.
Debbie said, “We ran out of space for all of our meat. At one time, this room was filled with several smaller freezers. This really helps our operation.” Aaron added that customers enjoy buying directly from the farm, noting, “It's nice to have a storefront in a town, but it seems like you can get your clientele trained, and they actually kind of like coming out to the farm and seeing how their meat is being made.”
Naig hopes to expand the program further and even requested additional staffing funds from the Legislature. Many Choose Iowa members are preparing to sell wholesale or enter retail markets.
Aaron shared that other farmers are joining the program as well, and their business now sells pork and lamb from neighbors. Debbie added that a friend’s clothing boutique also carries their beef.
As the program grows, the Gress family is planning for the future. Aaron said, “Every one of our three boys seems to enjoy cattle. It’s something hopefully that we can expand, and Vintage Beef is another avenue that hopefully will allow that for them and maybe even their families.”
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zoran-zeremski
Categories: Iowa, Rural Lifestyle