Des Moines, June 18 (RHC) -– Iowa Democratic State Sen. Steve Sodders is reportedly organizing a week-long trade mission to Cuba in August, and the Greater Des Moines Partnership plans to send a delegation on a cultural exploration trip in November for local business people.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says there is not a huge potential for Iowa trade with the Caribbean country, but there is a possibility to sell Iowan grain, such as corn and soybeans and dried distillers grain from ethanol plants, as well as Iowa meat, particularly pork.

The Iowa Senate approved a resolution in March in support of increased Iowa trade with Cuba, and Sodders told the Des Moines Register this week that he plans to hand a copy of the document to Cuban government officials when Iowans visit between August 20-26. He said he is organizing a diverse delegation that includes representatives from agriculture, manufacturing, financial services and other industries.