 Our mission at Golden Hills RC&D is to collaboratively develop and lead community, conservation, and cultural initiatives to improve our quality of life in rural western Iowa. Our "official" territory from our original organizational bylaws is an eight-county region in the southwestern portion of Iowa (Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby). In 2023, we added four more counties (Audubon, Carroll, Crawford, and Monona). Several projects extend beyond these 12 counties into more than 20 counties (learn more about where we work).  Click to open a larger version Our goals are to develop industries in local communities that utilize local resources; ensure healthy natural resources that meet the needs of agriculture, industry, private use, and recreational facilities; promote and enhance art, culture and historic resources in rural communities; collaborate with local governments and organizations on projects that benefit the environment; and work on projects that fill gaps in community services to benefit people of southwest Iowa. We accomplish these goals by focusing our work in five program areas: outdoor recreation and tourism, land stewardship, water resources, local foods, and arts and culture. Today's Mission Monday focus is Local Foods.  Click to open a larger version  The Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI) is a network for food producers and consumers working to develop a healthy local food system. SWIFFI works to build a sustainable regional food system that links production, processing, distribution, and consumption, for better health, food security, stronger communities and economic development. SWIFFI is a multi-county coalition of individuals and organizations working together with Golden Hills Resource Conservation and Development. We are a part of the Regional Food System Working Group network at the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. SWIFFI works in Harrison, Shelby, Pottawattamie, Cass, Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page counties. This 2010 report provides great information about the economic potential of local food in Southwest Iowa: The Economic Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Production in Southwest Iowa Considering Local and Nearby Metropolitan Markets.  Golden Hills sends (about) monthly email newsletters about local food and sustainable agriculture events & programs, funding opportunities, and other news & resources. Email [email protected] to get added to the SWIFFI email list. Click the links below to learn more:
We are currently planning farmer meetups and field days. If you are interested in hosting or have suggestions, please complete this form. 
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Check out the latest edition of the East & West Nishnabotna Watershed Coalition newsletter below or download a pdf here.    Photo of an unknown animal at Hitchcock Nature Center For the past several years, there are been wild rumors circulating throughout the Loess Hills that suggest a hairy hominid known to many as Bigfoot or Sasquatch. Some have even gone as far as coining the cryptid "Loessy the Sasquatch" as numerous sightings have been reported. The reports from southwestern Iowa have been met with doubt, even scorn. However, this weekend Golden Hills was present with irrefutably evidence that something is lurking in the Loess Hills of western Iowa.
The first footage came from an anonymous tipster. They were enjoying Pottawattamie County's Arrowhead Park when a large, hairy figure walked nonchalantly through the timber. The figure did not appear threatening, as it walked right past the person recording the footage. It appeared that the figure had no interest in the person. Shortly after receiving the videos from Arrowhead Park, Golden Hills received footage from Fremont County in southwestern Iowa. The first was taken near Green Hollow Cemetery. The creature crossed a gravel road, looking both ways for oncoming traffic, before continuing west into the dense timber. The second clip was taken at Waubonsie State Park. The shocking video shows that the Bigfoot has no concern about being seen in plain view. Park manager Matt Moles declined to comment when asked by Golden Hills staff if park visitors and campers are safe. Harrison County also had reports of the same creature. The brazenness of the creature's behavior was on full display in another anonymous video we received recently. Perhaps the Sasquatch was interested in learning about the Loess Hills at the new Willow Lake Nature Center near Woodbine. If you have seen Bigfoot/Sasquatch, please send us any photos of videos of the encounter. Like all wildlife, maintain a safe distance of at least 50-100 yards. If the creature approaches you, wave your arms and make noise. If that fails, run as fast as you can. If you are with friends of family, make sure you are not the slowest person in your group. |
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