We are back on the road this morning. We are avoiding the heavy snow in southeast Iowa, and heading northwest.
Our first stop took us up to Panora, to visit a new start-up company called Agristrand.
As Secretary of Agriculture, I was actively involved in helping find new uses for Iowa's ag products. So, it was exciting for me to find a company that is doing just that. Agristrand has created a new product that uses soybean fiber to make construction-grade fiberboard.
For years, making soy fiberboard commercially viable has been a challenge. But Agristrand has found a way to do it. And they are doing it well. They are on route to have the first shipments of their product ready this year.
Our first stop took us up to Panora, to visit a new start-up company called Agristrand.
As Secretary of Agriculture, I was actively involved in helping find new uses for Iowa's ag products. So, it was exciting for me to find a company that is doing just that. Agristrand has created a new product that uses soybean fiber to make construction-grade fiberboard.
For years, making soy fiberboard commercially viable has been a challenge. But Agristrand has found a way to do it. And they are doing it well. They are on route to have the first shipments of their product ready this year.
Our Administration has been happy to work with them to make this happen. At the Dept. of Economic Development, we have a program called the Demonstration Fund that is designed to help companies just like this that are on the cutting edge. It is through this fund that we have been able to assist Agristrand turn their innovative ideas into reality.
When you visit companies like Agristrand, you can't help but feel a sense of optomism about the future of our state. Thanks to the innovative spirit of people like the ones I just met at Agristrand, I am confident that Iowa will come out of this recession stronger and better than before.
The car is heading north now to our next stop in Jefferson.
Until next time,
Patty
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