Iowa Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure Program

Building resilience in the middle of the food supply chain.

Developing and improving markets for Iowa small farms and food businesses and investing in the development of infrastructure.

  • The purpose of the Iowa Resilient Food Systems Infrastructure (RFSI) program is to build resilience in the middle of the food supply chain, by developing and improving markets for Iowa small farms and food businesses, investing in the development of Iowa local food processing, distribution and aggregation infrastructure and protecting fair prices, fair wages, and new and safe job opportunities.

    The $420 million RFSI program was funded as part of the American Rescue Plan (ARP). It provided funding to the agency, commission, or department responsible for agriculture within each State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.  

    Iowa was awarded $5,239,433.13

    Iowa’s RFSI partners will work in partnership with USDA to make competitive subawards to support infrastructure in the middle of the supply chain for domestic food and farm businesses. In addition Iowa partners will use part of the funds to develop and strengthen supply chain coordination and targeted market development activities in Iowa.

  • Iowa Valley RC&D

    Iowa Valley RC&D and supports farmers, builds local food infrastructure, generates new innovative markets, improves access of locally grown foods, and models and communicates the positive impact of a future food system that nourishes people and place.

    Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

    Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship exists to connect Iowans with programs and information about crops, food safety standards, livestock and more. We work together with local farmers markets and Iowa farmers to continue to support the robust industry and culture Iowa has focused around agriculture.

    Practical Farmers of Iowa

    Practical Farmers of Iowa’s mission is equipping farmers to build resilient farms and communities. Practical Farmers of Iowa is an inclusive organization representing a diversity of farmers. Farmers in our network raise corn and soybeans, hay, livestock large and small, horticultural crops from fruits and vegetables to cut flowers and herbs, and more. Our members have conventional and organic systems; employ diverse management practices; run operations of all sizes; and come from a range of backgrounds. These farmers come together, however, because they believe in nature as the model for agriculture and they are committed to moving their operations toward sustainability.

    Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

    Iowa State University Extension and Outreach supports value-added agriculture enterprises, small farms, and regional food systems through research, education, and community engagement.

  • Infrastructure Grants range from $100,000 up to $1 million. Grants can fund capital investments such a construction, equipment (e.g. delivery vehicles, frozen or refrigerates storage, value-added, food processing equipment, or other equipment for middle-of-the-supply-chain activities), and building renovations. Infrastructure Grants can also fund facility design or engineering, staff time, modernizing systems (e.g. tracking, storage, information technology, etc.), plan development (e.g. Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point plan), and market development. A match is required for Infrastructure Grants and starts at 50% of the total project cost. However, if the main applicant qualifies as underserved, the match requirement will be reduced to 25% of the total project cost.

    Pre-Proposals were due February 28th and are now closed. The grants for Iowa's RFSI have been fully allocated. There will not be another application period.

    See the full list of recipients here.

    Equipment-Only Grants range from $10,000 up to $100,000. This grant can only fund equipment. Equipment may be new, used, or refurbished. 10% match is required for Equipment-Only Grants.

    Examples of Equipment Grants include, but are not limited to: equipment that expands capacity and infrastructure for the aggregation, processing, manufacturing, storing, transporting, wholesaling, and distribution of locally- and regionally-produced food products, including specialty crops, grains for human consumption, aquaculture, and other value-added food products.

    Pre-proposals were due March 8th and are now closed. The grants for Iowa's RFSI have been fully allocated. There will not be another application period.

    See the full list of grant recipients here.

This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture with funding from the American Rescue Plan Act.