Choose Iowa expands to include Iowa products

BOONE — The Choose Iowa program is expanding to promote a vibrant array of Iowa grown horticultural products, such as Christmas trees, cut flowers, bedding plants and ornamental trees and shrubs.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig made the expansion announcement in conjunction with Iowa Horticulture Week (April 20-26) during a visit to Red Granite Farm near Boone.

Red Granite Farm is a Choose Iowa member whose diverse operation includes over 300 varieties of hardy perennials, vines, shrubs, annuals and succulents from their garden center, plus more than five acres of vegetables and pumpkins.

Choose Iowa’s initial focus has been on promoting Iowa grown, raised and made food and beverages. This expansion into horticulture, which the Legislature authorized during the 2024 session, strengthens Iowa’s commitment to promoting and spotlighting the state’s diverse growers, including greenhouses, flower farms, nurseries and landscape businesses.

Choose Iowa membership has been growing rapidly. The program started the year at 147 members and has grown to more than 250, adding nearly a member a day. For $100 annually, members can showcase their Iowa grown, Iowa raised, and Iowa made food, beverages and ag products, including horticulture, with the official logo on their packaging and labels.

Through customized profiles in the Find Local directory, customers can easily locate and support these Choose Iowa member farms and businesses.

Choose Iowa members can opt into cooperative advertising opportunities to amplify their reach, attract more customers and leverage Choose Iowa digital platforms to increase their online presence and engage with a statewide audience.

They receive updates about grant opportunities, program enhancements and industry news in the member newsletter. Learn more about the benefits of becoming a Choose Iowa member and sign up today at ChooseIowa.com.

Consumers can find local growers of bedding plants, potted herbaceous perennials, cut flowers, cultivated greens, foliage plants, Christmas trees, deciduous flowering and shade trees, broad-leaved evergreens, landscape conifers, deciduous shrubs, and other landscaping trees and plants, at ChooseIowa.com.

The “Find Local” directory allows customers to search for local products from Choose Iowa members. Customers can search by location, name, type of product, online or in-person sales, site amenities, agritourism or events.

The directory will continue to grow as more members are added.

Choose Iowa is the state’s signature branding and marketing program for Iowa grown, Iowa raised and Iowa made food, beverages, and ag products. The Choose Iowa program was initiated by Secretary Naig and is administered by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Iowans can connect with Choose Iowa through Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube and the Choose Iowa website.

Questions about Choose Iowa and its member benefits, grants and programs can be emailed to ChooseIowa@IowaAgriculture.go