COLUMN: Farm to School grants are available through USDA

     The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced that $5 million in grants are available through the Farm to School Program.

     According to a USDA press release, the program has been awarding grants to schools and communities since 2013.

     “Farm to School” refers to efforts that bring locally or regionally produced foods into school cafeterias; hands-on learning activities such as school gardening, farm visits and culinary classes; and the integration of food-related education into the regular, standards-based classroom curriculum.

     Applications are due Dec. 8. To request an application or see frequently asked questions, visit https://www.fns.usda.gov/farmtoschool/farm-school-grant-program.

Lang to run for

Secretary of Ag

     Former Iowa Farm Bureau president Craig Lang has announced his candidacy for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture in 2018, according to a press release issued by The Concept Works of West Des Moines.

     Lang, a Poweshiek County dairy farmer for nearly four decades, said his goal to is to help lead the state to resolve the issues of water quality, soil loss and a stagnant rural economy.

     “We’re all in this together, as Iowans, and I believe our best opportunity for success is by working together to get things done,” Lang said in a statement. “One way to achieve better health in the soil and improve the economy is by working to create more diversity in Iowa agriculture.”

     Lang is seeking the Republican nomination for the post that has been held by Bill Northey since 2007. Northey, a Republican in his third term, received Senate Agriculture Committee confirmation Oct. 19 as a USDA undersecretary.

Tenderloin contest winner

     The Grid Iron Grill, a Webster City restaurant was voted winner of the 2017 Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin contest, sponsored by the Iowa Pork Producers Association, according to an IPPA press release.

     Owner Burke Risetter will receive a check for $500, a plaque, and a large banner to display.

     The Northside Café in Winterset was the runner-up, receiving $250 and a plaque. The Buffalo Tavern in Burlington, Lake View’s Thirsty Carp, and the Double Dip in Chariton rounded out the top five.

     The IPPA received 3,014 nominations, with 271 different establishments named. The committee judged 43 establishments last summer on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience.

ASA Fellow recognized

     An Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) researcher has received the highest recognition bestowed by the American Society of Agronomy, the ISA announced in a press release.

     Peter Kyveryga, ISA director of analytics, was named a Fellow based on his contributions to precision agriculture, adaptive nutrient management, predictive modeling, and the use of local data to help farmers make better agronomic decisions.

     Fellow is the highest recognition bestowed by the ASA. Up to 0.3 percent of the society’s active and emeritus members may be elected Fellow.