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December 5, 2022

Southwest Iowa Food & Farm Initiative Updates

We continuously update the SWIFFI Local Food Guide. If you are featured in the Local Food Guide, please check your listing to make sure that the information online is accurate and up to date. For corrections or additions, or if you are not listed and want to be, or know of someone producing local foods that is not listed, please contact: Jamie Fowler at jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org.  


Upcoming Golden Hills/SWIFFI News & Events

Cass County Extension, the Cass County Local Food Policy Council and Golden Hills RC&D will be hosting an informational meeting to discuss the changing laws for home baking and cottage foods. Food safety expert, Kurt Rueber, of the Food Bureau housed under the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, will lead the discussion.  

This will be a great opportunity to address any lingering questions you may have on this subject. 

Anyone who is currently preparing, or is interested in preparing, foods that fall under the cottage law is urged to attend. The event will be held at the Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th St., Atlantic on Saturday, February 4. Time is TBD.  

We are currently planning additional farmer meetups and field days for 2022 and 2023. If you are interested in hosting or have suggestions for topics, presenters, or locations, 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.

Upcoming Events


  • Thursday, December 8 from 3:30-6:30pm vendors will set up at The Harrison County Historical Village Welcome Center, located between Logan and Missouri Valley on HWY 30, for a Holiday Farmers Market

 

  • Thursday-Saturday, December 15-17, the Red Oak Farmers Market is hosting a Christmas Market. Thursday and Friday vendors will be available from 11-6 and Saturday from 10-5. The Christmas Market will take place at 1809 N. 4th Street, the White Fair Building, in Red Oak. 

 

  • On Saturday, December 17th, FarmTable Procurement and Delivery will a Holiday Market in their warehouse, located at 1806 Industrial Parkway, Harlan. This event will run from 9-1. 


  • A Christmas Market will take place on Thursday, December 22nd from 3-7pm at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA at 1100 Maple Street in Atlantic. Visit the website or check out Produce in the Park Atlantic, Iowa on Facebook for more information.

 

  • Co-op Innovation in the Food System Winter 2022/2023 are virtual sessions put on by the Nebraska Cooperative Development Center. Join the conversations with cooperative businesses making positive changes in the food system. These sessions are for anyone who wants to learn about creative ways that producers, processors, community members and others can work together to address issues present in the food system. The first session is December 6 from 12-1pm. FREE. Register at the link provided. 

 

  • The Specialty Crop Financial Management Boot Camp will run virtually from 9-noon on Dec 6, 7, 15 and 16. This boot camp, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Food, Farm and Enterprise Development Program, is designed to provide producers with the opportunity to optimize their business model, examine their financial infrastructure, develop a financial plan and prepare to raise money for further business development. The event is FREE, but registration is limited. To register visit https://goiastate.edu/TDIQUE

 

  • Practical Farmers of Iowa’s annual conference, On Common Ground, will be held January 21-22, 2023, in Ames. Preregistration ends January 12th, so register now to save on registration costs. This annual conference has been a keystone event for sharing knowledge, building connections and celebrating agriculture in Iowa. There will be 60-plus sessions on a wide variety of agricultural topics, more than 70 exhibitors, locally sourced meals and a spirit of curiosity and community. Don’t miss this event. 


  • The OGRAIN Winter Conference will be held January 27-28 at the UW-Madison campus. The 7th annual conference will continue to connect organic grain growers with new research and the organic grain community of the upper Midwest. Follow the link to sign up. Early bird registration ends on Christmas day. 

  



  • The Iowa Specialty Producers Conference takes place February 22-23 in Ankeny. The conference is an educational event for Midwest specialty crop producers to gather, network and grow knowledge and experience. All producers, large or small, who are growing fruits, and vegetables or specialty crops for sale are welcome to join. Registration is not yet open. Visit the link provided for the latest registration information. 


Other Updates, News & Resources

  • The Red Oak Farmers Market is still looking for produce growers, bakers and crafters to join the Christmas Market, December 15-17. Cost is $20 for a 10'x10' space. Contact Maggie McQuown at 214-394-4445 or mmcquown@visibleEDGE.com.
  • Sign up for the Iowa Beet Farm to School newsletter for all the latest news about Farm to School.
  • Certified Regenerative by AGW offers a certification process for farms that improve soil health & water quality, grow healthy food, increase biodiversity, provide better treatment for workers and animals, and more.
  • Did your specialty crop operation recently incur on-farm food safety program expenses related to obtaining or renewing a food safety certification in calendar years 2022 or 2023? You may be eligible for financial assistance through USDA’s Food Safety Certification for Specialty Crops Program (FSCSC). 

Funding Opportunities



Visit the SWIFFI website

Contact: Jamie Fowler | Golden Hills RC&D | jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org

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