Discussion II — A Vision for Improving Children’s Health with School Food
Ann Cooper (Chef, Author, and Food and Society Policy Fellow)

1:45 pm - Developing Linkages Between Local Growers and School Nutrition Programs
Dr. Mary Gregoire, Ph.D., RD (Professor and Chair, Department of Apparel, Educational Studies and Hospitality Management, Iowa State University) Dr. Cathy Strohbehn, Ph.D. (Professor, Department of Apparel, Educational Studies  and Hospitality Management, Iowa State University) 

2:30 pm - Break

 2:45 - 5:00 pm - Working group discussion — Farm to School: How to Take the Next Steps Locally
Facilitated by Carol Richardson-Smith and Matt Russell (INCA Board Members) 

1:10 pm - Farmer Discussion: Using Alternative Methods to Raise Poultry
Mark Runquist/Linda Barnes, Melbourne, Iowa (chickens)
To Be Announced (ducks and geese)
Tim Daley, New Hartford, Iowa (heirloom turkeys)
Mike and Barb Haigwood, Messena, Iowa (egg production) 

2:30 pm - Break 

2:45 pm - Keeping Your Poultry Healthy Using Organic Methods
Dr. John Brown (Head Veterinarian at Centurion Poultry, Lexington, Georgia) presented at 2003 Midwest Poultry Federation Meeting in St. Paul, MN regarding organic poultry systems.

Afterwards: Poultry Equipment Needs, Uses and Examples: Chicken Tractor See and discuss the demonstration of a chicken tractor (Mike and Barb Haigwood, Messena, Iowa)

Learn About the University of Nebraska's Food Processing Center, Food Entrepreneurship and Food Production Expertise for Producers
Jill Gifford (Food Entrepreneur Assistance Program Manager and Business Consultant for UNL) will answer questions such as: Have you ever thought of starting a food business? Do you have a family recipe you can bring to the marketplace? Are you a producer considering adding value to an agricultural product?

Organic Research and Related Issues
Laura Krouse (Farmer, Mount Vernon, Iowa), Dr. Kathleen Delate (Iowa State University), and Bob Burcham (Neely-Kinyon Farm Manager) speak about the latest organic research and transition issues when converting from conventional production to organics, as well as pesticides, herbicides and fungicides allowed in organic production. This session is focused on grain production in long rotations with forage legumes. 

Growing Food and Profit: Farmers’ Perspectives on the Value of Working Together with the Local Community
Donna Bauer (Owner/Manager, Taylor Ridge Bed and Breakfast, Audubon, Iowa), the coordinators of the Growing Food and Profit Program, and local farmers will demonstrate the capacity within communities to open the door for specialty crop production.

 Food Preservation I
Sam Beattie (Assistant Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist, Iowa State University) will preside over a discussion on Canning of food:  basics for safety.  A brief primer for those interested in preserving foods through thermal processing.  The differences between the processing of low acid, high acid, and acidified products will be discussed.  Equipment will also be demonstrated.  Don't miss another workshop from Sam concerning food preservation at 2:00 p.m. 

Potluck Lunch and Displays

Workshop II

Farmer Led Insights to Root Crop Production
Farmers Tom Shimer (Des Moines), Gary Huber (Maxwell) Gary Guthrie (Nevada) and others discuss production issues with Leeks, Potatoes, Onions, Garlic, Carrots, etc. Learn tricks of the trade from actual producers. 

Community Garden Workshop
Rick Tafoya (M&M Divide Resource Conservation and Development Coordinator), Dennis Molitor (Director, Carroll County Iowa State University Extension Service) and others will speak about how they initiated a Community Garden that targeted the growing Hispanic community in Denison, Iowa. 

The Nuts and Bolts of Organic Community Supported Agriculture (CSA)
Diane Weiland and Ray Jensen (Henry A. Wallace Country Life Center and Prairie Harvest CSA near Orient, Iowa) are both active in running the Prairie Harvest CSA which served 63 families in 2004. Specific topics include but are not limited to: the amount of garden space needed, seeds and equipment used, the organic certification process, and how to attract customers. 

Innovative Farmers' Markets
Jerry Rosman (Market Manager for Floyd Boulevard Local Food Market, Sioux City) and Lori Johnson (Red Oak Farmers' Market Manager) will lead a discussion about farmers' market successes and challenges.

 Food Preservation II
Sam Beattie (Assistant Professor and Food Safety Extension Specialist, Iowa State University) will preside over a discussion discussion titled Watch that headspace and other reasons your preserved products spoiled.  The importance of maintaining good processing technique will be emphasized.  Leading problems seen at the state fair will be discussed and the ways to prevent them. (Sam also leads a food preservation discussion at an 11 a.m. session).

Grape Production 101 for Table Grapes and Wine
Shirley Fredriksen (Coordinator of Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development) and local grape producers will facilitate a discussion about the intricacies of table and wine grape production in southwest Iowa. 

Digging Deeper: Ensuring Food Security by Strengthening and Expanding Local Food Systems
Teva Dawson (Community Garden Coordinator for the Des Moines Parks Department) will share her knowledge gained over six years in establishing more than 100 community gardens in backyards, housing projects and schools. Teva sees gardening as inroad to better nutrition, food security, and self-sufficiency. 

How does Alternative Dairy Production Work?
Jill and Jeff Burkhart (Picket Fence Creamery in Woodward, Iowa) will summarize their dairy production system — one of only three ON-FARM creameries/bottling facilities in the state. Learn about a pasture-grazed Jersey dairy herd that is not given hormones and how family members all fill integral niches to make their system work.

Financial, Environmental, and Advisory Help from Local Government Agencies
Dale Behrends (Guthrie County Farm Service Agency Executive Director) and Jeff Zimprich (Assistant State Conservationist for Field Operations) will describe government programs designed to help beginning farmers, producers who want to diversify, and those who want to increase environmental benefits in their operations. Stop in to get your questions answered about specialty loans, cost-share programs, conservation reserve programs, etc.

 Adding Value to Locally Produced Goods
Charles Carpenter and David Tousain (Beaver Creek Farm near Coon Rapids, Iowa) will speak about building value into some of the goods they produce. Charles will discuss tart cherry crops, certified kitchens and making cherry preserves, and David will talk about adding value to a beekeeping enterprise by making beeswax candles. 

Closing Speaker — Darcy (Dougherty) Maulsby

Darcy has been a freelance writer for the past 10 years, and will summarize her thoughts from the day and provide insight as to where we — as a local foods community — go from here. Darcy has covered Iowa agriculture and rural issues for a variety of publications, including Farm News. She also runs Darcy Maulsby & Co., a marketing and communication agency. Don't miss this wonderful conclusion and friendly send-off from the 2005 Iowa Network for Community Agriculture Annual Local Foods Conference!

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