Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture

Regional Food Systems Working Group revitalizes efforts

Back to Leopold Letter Winter 2011

If attendance at the last meeting of the Regional Food Systems Working Group (RFSWG) is any indication of its future, count them in.

Local food representatives from throughout Iowa filled the Campanile Room at the Iowa State University Memorial Union on December 8. The group is transitioning to a new leadership structure because funding ends in 2011 for its umbrella organization, Value Chain Partnerships.

“This whole process – when the steering committee was formed and we started laying the groundwork – has been reaffirming to me,” said Andrea Geary, who co-leads the group with Jason Grimm. Geary works with the Northern Iowa Food and Farm Partnership at the University of Northern Iowa. “I see good things happening when people take ownership and pitch in according to their strengths and resources,” she said.

Nearly all of the 16 local food groups had representatives at the meeting. Jessica Burt, who works with Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development in Amana, is serving as the RFSWG meeting coordinator.

Joanna Hamilton, Leopold Center intern last summer, met with all group leaders to identify key lessons and discuss where they hope to be in the next five years. Her report will be available soon.

Back to Leopold Letter Winter 2011