July 14, 2022

Upcoming Golden Hills/SWIFFI News & Events

SWIFFI/Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup 

Sunday, July 24

4:30-6:00pm

One Farm - Logan

Meet up with food producers and other local food system advocates for a free networking and information-sharing event! Bring some snacks or drinks to share if you'd like, and a lawn chair.

RSVPs requested: email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org

Golden Hills is partnering with Iowa Western on a series of sustainability classes this summer and fall, including a rain barrel class in Shenandoah and food preservation classes in Council Bluffs. Learn more at goldenhillsrcd.org/iwcc

Golden Hills has openings for project coordinator positions, one of which will likely include local foods and sustainable agriculture aspects. Were also hiring a Grants & Office Administrator. Learn more and apply here.

We are currently planning farmer meetups and field days for 2022. If you are interested in hosting or have suggestions for topics or presenters, please complete this form. 

If you have any events or news you'd like included in upcoming SWIFFI updates, please email me. You can also follow the SWIFFI Facebook page for updates.

• Practical Farmers of Iowa's Field Day Guide is now available. Events in southwest Iowa in June include: 
• July 16: Precision Farming With Cover Crops for Soil Health and Conservation. Hosts: Wisecup Family | Wisecup Family Farm and Museum | Missouri Valley
• August 2: Weed Control Strategies in Organic Corn and Soybeans With Buffalo Cultivators and Planters. Hosts: The Rosmann Family & Eric Madsen | Rosmann Family Farms & Madsen Stock Farm | Harlan.
• The Organic Center is hosting a Virtual Field Day on Integrating Livestock in Organic Crops and Its Impacts on Food Safety and Soil Health on July 20, 2022, 1pm CST. Researchers will present their findings on the impact that cover-crop grazing has on food safety and soil health for fresh spinach and cucumbers in organic systems. 
• Montgomery County Conservation is hosting Breakfast with the Bees on Saturday, August 6. Register to reserve a meal ticket and learn about local farms and services that strive to make the world a better place. Join us in welcoming Resilient Farms, Sycamore Ridge Farms LLC., Tabor Bees & Tom's Bees, and Equality Farm and Foods on August 6th, at Historic Fountain Square Park in Red Oak, from 10 to 11 AM! Tickets are only $12.00 for a fresh farm-to-table meal.
• The Midwest Organic Center Annual Field Day is August 17 in Marion, Iowa. This free event is perfect for all farmers - whether you are interested in learning more about farming organically, want to connect with our organic crop consultants, or are an existing organic farmer! Learn about their research and demonstration projects, enjoy a keynote presentation by Dan Fillius and listen in on their "Crop Diversification and Marketing" panel presentation. Space is limited and registration is required.
• FEAST! Local Foods Marketplace, the region's largest local food festival, is back on Saturday, Nov 5, 2022 at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, MN. To add your craft food or beverage products to this great convergence of local foods from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa that attracts 1500 people to sip, sample and shop, register at www.local-feast.org/registration2022.

• Dozens of Farm Service Agency offices across Iowa are seeking new employees. Learn more about the job opportunities at your county’s nearest Farm Service Agency office or visit: www.usajobs.gov.
• The ABCs of Soil Health will walk you through some of the amazing facts about soil’s role in agriculture and supporting life on this planet, and what we can do to better manage our soil through conservation. Conservation practices for healthy soil pay you back with healthier, more resilient plants, and may save you time and money with fewer trips in the field, less fertilizer and pesticides, and less fuel.
• The Seeding Success Webinar Series is hosted by the USDA FNS Farm to School program and provides technical assistance to support Farm to School grantees to develop, expand, and maintain robust farm to school projects. Webinar topics have been identified as topics of interest by Farm to School grantees. The presentations feature USDA Farm to School program national office staff, regional Farm to School specialists, Farm to School grantees, and other program partners and stakeholders.
• Soil health practices like cover crops and no-till were discussed in a recent KMA story with Christ Teachout from Shenandoah: "Combined approach the trend in conservation."
• Danelle Myer and One Farm were recently featured in FarmHer's blog, "Fresh produce matters to create a healthy community."
• 3 Bee Farms were featured in Iowa Agribusiness Network's "PFI highlights diversified agriculture at 3 Bee Farms" about their recent field day.
• NSCA's recent blog post "Long-term agroecological research showcases new innovations for resilient agriculture" discusses how farmers can improve agricultural sustainability by finding solutions to improve productivity, increase rural prosperity, and support ecosystem services, soil health, biodiversity, and water quality.

Contact: Lance Brisbois | Golden Hills RC&D | lance@goldenhillsrcd.org