Grow the Good is a grant program facilitated by the Oneota Community Food Cooperative Board of Directors, Iowa Food Hub, and local community partners. Established in 2024, this grant program supports local food businesses and is guided by three of the Oneota Community Food Cooperative’s organizational ends:
- End #2 We support building thriving local food systems and encourage the expansion of locally-grown food sources.
- End #4 Our organization promotes and exemplifies cooperative principles of business.
- End #7 Our members are diverse and engaged, working together and sharing time, energy, and resources to build a resilient and thriving local community.
Farms, food businesses, and individuals who produce, process, or distribute community-based food within 50 miles of Decorah, Iowa, our local foodshed. Our purpose is to strengthen partnership relationships between small producers and local food outlets.
Priority consideration will be given to producers with:
- Gross sales up to $100,000
- Proposals with total project cost of up to $20,000
- Local producers or entities that support local producers who sell via the Oneota Co-op, Iowa Food Hub, or Decorah Farmers Market
Grant awards may range from $1,000 to $4,000.
Projects must include food grown or raised within 50 miles of Decorah.
Applicants must demonstrate how their project meets at least one of the following grant goals:
- Oneota Co-op members and the local community have more opportunities to access community-based food.
- Farm and food businesses grow, process, cook, or distribute more community-based products.
- Farm and food businesses add consistency and resilience to their product offerings.
- Farm and food businesses move our community towards a more equitable local food system.
- Equipment and supplies for growing, processing, storing, and distributing food (e.g. a walk-in cooler)
- Seed money for start-up labor for a specific project (e.g. a local salsa brand)
- Business support (administrative, legal, and licensing fees; education costs)
- And more! Feel free to inquire. We will give preference to projects where our scale of funding can make a significant impact.
Application inquiries should be directed to Hannah Breckbill, OCC board member, oneotabreckbill@gmail.com.
Sponsorship inquiries should be directed to Amy Grinna, OCC board member oneotagrinna@gmail.com.
Blue Fruit Farm is a certified organic farm growing primarily honeyberries, blueberries, and aronia berries. Grow the Good Grant funds replaced underpowered and overworked equipment with a new 48” deck mower. Mowing is a primary method for this organic farm’s management of weeds and grass, assisting with pest and disease management, and improving safety on the farm.
Yellow Table is a no-till farm raising vegetables, chestnuts, and berries along with livestock. Grow the Good Grant funds helped provide a wash/pack/storage facility to house washing and packing equipment, as well as space to cure and hold storage crops through the winter. The investment resulted in additional CSA offerings and food donations to Tri County Head Start, helping underserved individuals.
