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Growing Connections in
the Raccoon River Valley
Friday, March 4,
2011
Town/Craft Center
1124 Willis Avenue - Perry, Iowa
Mapping the Connections
3:00-5:00 p.m.
A limited number of participants will be invited to
this working session to map the local food system within a 45 mile
radius of Perry.
Results from Friday’s session will be discussed
Saturday morning. For further information, contact Conference
Coordinator, Linda Nelson,
by email at
Lsnelson1@hotmail.com
Wine and Cheese Tasting Social
5:30-6:30 p.m.
This event is free to conference attendees. Those not
registering for the Saturday conference may register for this event only
for a fee
of $10 per person by February 22, 2011.
Saturday, March
5, 2011
Hotel Pattee
1112 Willis Avenue – Perry, Iowa
Registration and Refreshments
7:30-8:30 a.m.
Join us for registration and refreshments while getting settled in to
the conference.
Conference Welcome
9:00 a.m.
Judith McMahon, Two Rivers Story Spinners
Welcome by Ryan Marquardt, INCA Board Chair
We will welcome you to the conference, introduce those involved, and
help you make connections.
Keynote Speaker
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Bill Menner, State Director for Rural Development in Iowa
The presentation will highlight existing regional food efforts and
innovative initiatives underway in Iowa. He will also focus on the
opportunities
that exist through USDA for a comprehensive expansion
of local-foods production, processing, distribution and consumption.
Break
10:30 – 11:00 a.m.
Food Mapping Discussion and Annual Meeting
11:00 -12:15 p.m.
Food Mapping – What were the connections?
INCA board members, Andy Larson and Matt Russell, will
explain the food system mapping that was done on Friday afternoon.
Additionally,
we will discuss what they and the participants learned
about the local food system and the potential for growth in this area of
Iowa.
INCA Annual meeting – Changes in store for this organization?
The annual meeting for INCA will be led by INCA board
chair, Ryan Marquardt. In addition the board will
announce some changes in the organization and the way
they will work towards their mission in the future.
All Iowa Potluck Lunch
12:15 -1:30 p.m.
The potluck lunch has long been an INCA
tradition. Please bring a hot or cold dish that will serve at least six
people. INCA will provide the
beverages and table service. Volunteers will receive
your dish when you register and be able to assist you in keeping crock
pots hot. If you
bring a cold dish we ask that you please keep this item
in an insulated container and bring it in at the time of the lunch.
Please gather your
serving dishes at the end of the meal prior to the
beginning of the first workshop session at 1:30 p.m.
Workshop One
1:30 -2:30 p.m.
(See workshops options below.)
Break at the Hotel Pattee
2:30-3:00 p.m.
Workshop Two
3:00-4:00 p.m.
(See workshops options below.)
Gathering Up the Day
4:00 – 4:15 p.m.
INCA Board members and planning team members will ask for your final
thoughts about the day and gather evaluations about the conference.
1:30
-2:30 p.m.
So,
You Want to Farm. What’s Your Plan?
There are many questions and options to think through when considering
the opportunity to start up a small farm operation. A good plan is
essential to a good beginning. This session will be led by Gary
Huber, Senior Program Specialist for Practical Farmers of Iowa.
He also coordinates the Pork Niche Market Working Group and
manages the Iowa Food Cooperative. He and his wife, Penny, have
24 acres where they raise specialty produce for various local markets in
central Iowa. (A Spanish interpreter will be provided for this
session.)
How
Do I Market What I Grow?
Bring your questions and join an open discussion on what folks have
learned about marketing what they grow. Whether you are interested in a
CSA, farmer’s market, a food cooperative, etc., you will pick up tips
and learn from what others have tried. This session will be led by
Ethan Book of Crooked Gap Farm who has experimented with several
marketing methods; and Jeff Kienast, organic
grain farmer & meat goat producer.
Exploring Agri-Tourism
Building relationships with consumers is an integral part to
marketing local foods. As a part of building relationships, growers
need to get to know their consumers and provide a fun experience for
families. We’ll discuss what goes into the organizing of these events
and how they impact small farm businesses and communities. Sean Skeehan
of Blue Gate Farm will lead a discussion about his experiences in
the annual “Farm Crawl”, a one-day tour of seven independent family
farms in south-central Iowa.
Rediscovering Food Preservation
Even high tunnels can’t extend the growing season through the
coldest of the winter months in Iowa. But freezing, canning, drying and
proper storage of foods can allow us to enjoy many foods when they
aren’t in season. Jody Gatewood, Iowa State University Extension
Nutrition and Health Program Specialist, will lead a discussion and
answer your questions about food preservation.
Working Together: Small Farmers, Restaurants, and Institutions
Sounds simple enough: Small farmers grow food, and restaurants and
institutions such as schools and care facilities prepare and serve this
food. But challenges do exist on the side of the grower and on the side
of the restaurant or institution. Join us in this open discussion led
by Donna Sevenich, Food Service Director at Dallas
Center-Grimes Schools, and others to learn how local foods can
become more widely used in meals served at restaurants and institutions.
3:00-4:00 p.m.
Financing Your Small Farm Operation
When thinking about starting or expanding a small farm operation,
many questions can arise. And even after a good plan is developed,
questions surrounding financing may still exist. Paula Volesky, loan
specialist with the Iowa Farm Service Agency will discuss
financing options through FSA and others. (A Spanish interpreter will
be provided for this session.)
Extending the Growing Season
Extending the growing season is one way to increase farm sales. If
you are interested in hearing real experiences from growers who are
using high tunnels you will want to attend this session led by Jill
Beebout of Blue Gate Farm. Jill will share their experiences
since completing their first high tunnel in the fall of 2006 and their
second structure in 2010.
Bike Trails, Barn Quilts, Historic Places. What’s At Your Door Step?
A multitude of recreational, tourist, and historic attractions occur
near the Raccoon River Valley. Bike trails, barn quilts, and historic
sites such as Bonnie and Clyde’s Last Stand are just a few local
attractions that bring in families. How might small farmers take
advantage of these attractions to let people know where local foods are
available? Come join a brainstorming session on how to use these
opportunities to showcase local foods with Beth Grabau, Iowa Farm
Service Agency Outreach Coordinator, and Mickey Carlson, Iowa
State University and Iowa Finance Authority.
New
Approaches to Healthy Meal Planning
What we eat plays a big role in our health both short term and long
term. Planning meals that include local food choices will help families
stay on track to healthy eating. Carol Richardson Smith, certified
Family and Consumer Scientist, and Vice President of the newly organized
Iowa Food Systems Council, will lead this discussion.
Explore and Debrief Morning Programs
This session is designed for those individuals who want more
information as a result of hearing the keynote speaker, Bill Menner, or
the Food Mapping discussion. This will be an open discussion
facilitated by Andy Larson, INCA Board member. Speakers
from the morning programs will join in the discussion and answer
questions. | 
