Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Pottawattamie County Farm to Fork

Project ID: M2008-08

Abstract

Using a modest amount of seed money, the Pottawattamie County Local Food Council was able to support the development of local farmers markets, hire a local food coordinator, create the Grow Growers program, and make progress on local food system development.

Key Question: Can we form a stable community-based food system in Pottawattamie County based on the use of a mentor program and a formalized county-based group of stakeholders?

Findings: The mentor program was not entirely successful as no new growers were recruited, but other aspects of the local food shed have been greatly enhanced and a strong coalition of stakeholders emerged.

Lead investigator: Barry Deuel, Golden Hills RC&D

Co-Investigator(s):

Shirley Frederiksen, Oakland, Melvyn Houser

Year of grant completion: 2010

This competitive grant project was part of the Leopold Center's Marketing Initiative.

Topics: Community-based food systems, Food miles, food pathways, food system assessments, Market research and feasibility studies