DES MOINES, IOWA (AP) -- Specialty crops in Iowa will get a boost from more than $230,000 in federal funding.
   
The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship said Thursday that it will award the grant money to 15 eligible groups in the state.
   
Groups like the Iowa Christmas Tree Growers Association and the Iowa Fruit and Vegetables Growers Association will receive money to work on projects that foster the competitiveness of the state's specialty crops industry. For example, the Mississippi Valley Growers Association will get $20,000 to promote specialty crops at farmers markets.
   
The money comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Specialty crops include fruits and vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits and horticulture and nursery crops.

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