Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Completed Competitive Grant

Pottawattamie County Farm to Fork (Phase III)

Project ID: M2009-02

Abstract

This continuation of a previous project showed the value of hiring a local food coordinator to aid in advancing local food systems in southwest Iowa.

Key Question: Will dedicated staff, focused on creating connections for the development of a local food system in southwest Iowa, be able to facilitate a stronger, more resilient food system?

Findings: Dedicated staff has greatly improved the capacity of this regional food system. Review has shown that more staff is needed at the local and regional level in order to continue increasing local food system capacity and resiliency. Current systems in place to serve Iowa's farmers have not adapted to the changes in agriculture to meet the rising demand for a local food system. Having a local food coordinator provided much needed services, technical support, networking and project development for food-based farmers and ranchers.

Lead investigator: Shirley Frederiksen, Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development

Co-Investigator(s):

Melvyn Houser, Pottawattamie Board of Supervisors

Year of grant completion: 2011

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

Topics: Community-based food systems, Human systems, demographics and beginning farmer programs