$1.6M in Iowa biofuel grants
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — U.S. Sen. Tom Harkin said eight Iowa biorefineries will be receiving a total of more than $1.6 million in grants to promote the production of advanced biofuel.

The Iowa Democrat said Friday that the payments were authorized under conservation and energy provisions of the 2008 farm bill. The largest single grant, for more than $727,000, goes to the Renewable Energy Group, Inc. in Story County.

Western Iowa Energy in Sac County will receive more than $298,000. Grants of more than $200,000 also will go to Western Dubuque Biodiesel, LLC in Dubuque County, and Washington County’s Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC.

Central Iowa Energy, LLC, in Jasper County gets $114,000, while smaller grants go to three other companies.

Apply for KY Product Pavilion

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Applications are available for Kentucky Proud products to be considered for resale at the Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea. This is the first step for having products considered for resale at the Kentucky Experience’s Kentucky Proud Product Pavilion during the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The pavilion will be located on the Kentucky Horse Park grounds in Lexington during the world’s most prestigious equestrian competition, Sept. 25-Oct. 10.

The next deadline is March 31, for review in April, and the last deadline is set for June 30, with a review in July. The first round of products certified “Kentucky Proud” by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) and other artisan products were reviewed at the beginning of January.

To submit Kentucky Proud product(s) for review, complete the appropriate application at http://agweg.ky.gov and return it with a biography or company history and sample food products or product images for non-food products to: ATTN: Artisan Product Review, Kentucky Artisan Center at Berea, 975 Walnut Meadow Road, Berea, KY 40403.

If you have questions concerning the application process, contact Victoria Faoro at 859-985-5448, ext 222, or e-mail victoria.faoro@ky.gov and if you are not a Kentucky Proud member and would like to become one, visit www.kentuckyproud.com for an application.

Radcliff offers Beck’s to farmers
CIRCLEVILLE, Ohio — Radcliff Seed Solutions, LLC announced it will be offering Beck’s Hybrids complete line of seed products to farmers in Ohio.

Radcliff originally partnered with Beck’s about three years ago to market Beck’s wheat products. Radcliff is one of Ohio’s largest family owned seed retailers. The company serves farmers throughout south-central Ohio providing seed products, the convenience of bulk delivery systems and custom farming services.