2010 Winter gathering, potluck and annual membership meeting

Title: Growing Our Roots
Location: Perry, Iowa  (Town/Craft Center, 1122 Willis Avenue)
Date: March 13, 2010 (9:00 am to 3:00 pm)

The Gathering was free and open to the public.  Memberships were not required but available for $35.

INCA has traditionally used its annual local food conference as a planning tool to encourage the development of an area’s local food system.
This year’s smaller gathering kicked off a full year of planning for the 2011 Local Food Conference to be held in Perry.
Members from across Iowa and participants in the Growing Food and Profit groups were encouraged to take this opportunity to
reconnect with the INCA community and share ideas in a community mapping session.

Workshops and presenters included:
“Making Poultry Pay” by Tai Johnson-Spratt, Foxhollow Poultry Farms, Elkhart, IA
“Grow Your Farmers’ Market” by Kelly Foss, director of special events, Downtown Farmers’ Market, Des Moines, IA
“Profitability for Farm to Market” by Matt Russell, Coyote Run Farm, Lacona, IA and State Food Policy Project Coordinator at Drake Agricultural Law Center
“Planning the 2011 Local Food Conference” by Ryan Marquardt, Wild Rose Pastures, Reasnor, IA.

The Gathering featured a traditional potluck meal at noon.  Participants were encouraged to bring a dish featuring local and sustainably produced foods to share and their own table service.  Apple cider from Deal’s Orchard, Jefferson and homemade ice-cream from Picket Fence Dairy at Woodward was provided.  The Membership’s annual meeting and election of officers will immediately follow lunch.

For more information, please contact Ryan Marquardt, INCA Board chairman at 641-793-2444 or inca.community@gmail.com.