Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is leading a statewide initiative that brings innovative, mobile processing equipment and hands-on education to communities across Iowa. The newly developed Crop Cart is designed to support farmers’ and small businesses’ efforts to create new value-added products, offer opportunities for event and educational taste-testing and strengthen Iowa’s food system.
Since 2017, a collaborative team with ISU Extension and Outreach Farm, Food and Enterprise Development and Community and Economic Development have worked to address a lack of produce processing equipment, storage and distribution infrastructure in communities. The issue presents major barriers for farmers and food entrepreneurs seeking to create value-added products that improve profitability and extend shelf life.
In response to this need, the team designed and tested a mobile fruit and vegetable processing cart in 2021. Building on its success, an enhanced version — the Crop Cart — was developed in 2025.
“The Crop Cart offers a flexible, accessible entry point for local producers and businesses to consider new product development,” said Courtney Long, food systems program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The cart allows users to explore value-added opportunities and gain hands-on experience with minimal input costs up front.”
Three Crop Carts were constructed and are now housed in Cass, Washington and Winneshiek counties. Community organizations and local food businesses are invited to use the carts for programming such as:
- Food safety training
- Value-added product development
- Nutrition and health education
- Recipe development
- Taste-testing
Intended audiences include aspiring food entrepreneurs, local farmers and producers, community organizations, event coordinators, and others.
Each Crop Cart is equipped for fresh fruit and vegetable processing. Individuals or organizations may submit rental requests through the respective county extension office. County contact information is available on the project’s webpage.
For more information, contact Lisa Bates, assistant director, ISU Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development, at lmbates@iastate.edu or 515-357-8185.
Photo credit: Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
