Previous SWIFFI Programs & Events
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup
Thursday, January 16, 2025
7-8pm
The Mill - 818 W. Sheridan, Shenandoah
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
Head to the Mill beforehand to shop local vendors!
Thursday, January 16, 2025
7-8pm
The Mill - 818 W. Sheridan, Shenandoah
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
Head to the Mill beforehand to shop local vendors!
Weeds & Invasive Species Management Workshop
Tuesday, July 16th
10:00am-Noon
Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, Iowa 51542
Free & open to the public.
Presenters:
Topics will include:
Program Resources:
Tuesday, July 16th
10:00am-Noon
Hitchcock Nature Center
27792 Ski Hill Loop
Honey Creek, Iowa 51542
Free & open to the public.
Presenters:
- Aric Ping - Natural Resource Technician with Pottawattamie Conservation
- Dan Fillius - Field Specialist, Commercial Vegetables and Specialty Crops with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach
Topics will include:
- Identification & habitat of common weeds & invasive species
- Mechanical & chemical tools & tactics for vegetable crop fields, livestock pastures, savannas, & woodlands. Organic and non-organic practices will be covered.
Program Resources:
- Aric Ping presentation - Integrated Pest Management
- Dan Fillius presentation slides - Weed Control Systems
- Iowa Cut Flower Farmer listserv
- Iowa Vegetable Farmer listserv
- Midwest Vegetable Growers Network Resource Catalog
- False and Stale Seedbeds: The most effective nonchemical weed management tools for cropping and pasture establishment.
- Manage Weeds On Your Farm: A Guide to Ecological Strategies
- Pottawattamie Conservation Invasive Species Cheat Sheet
Composting Workshop
Saturday, April 13
1-3pm
Milk & Honey, 919 7th Avenue, Harlan, Iowa
Whether you are a home gardener or growing produce for market, organic matter in your soil will increase your chances of success. Craig Keiser, owner of Windy Hill Compost, LLC, will be talking about his operation and offering a few tips and tricks that he has learned along the way. We will also be sharing a bit about worm composting, a process that can take place year-round in your kitchen, with minimal maintenance.
Event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited so please RSVP to [email protected]
Saturday, April 13
1-3pm
Milk & Honey, 919 7th Avenue, Harlan, Iowa
Whether you are a home gardener or growing produce for market, organic matter in your soil will increase your chances of success. Craig Keiser, owner of Windy Hill Compost, LLC, will be talking about his operation and offering a few tips and tricks that he has learned along the way. We will also be sharing a bit about worm composting, a process that can take place year-round in your kitchen, with minimal maintenance.
Event is free and open to the public.
Space is limited so please RSVP to [email protected]
Local Food & Farm Regulations
Thursday, April 11th, 2024
6:30-8:00pm
Free virtual program via Zoom
Learn about federal, state, and local policies and regulations affecting local food producers and value-added food businesses. Register and submit your questions in advance.
Thursday, April 11th, 2024
6:30-8:00pm
Free virtual program via Zoom
Learn about federal, state, and local policies and regulations affecting local food producers and value-added food businesses. Register and submit your questions in advance.
Let's Talk Dirt-y! A class on creating soil mixes
Join Nick Bonham with Lucky Toad Restorative Gardens to learn how to make your own soil mix for growing vegetables and native plants.
Tuesday, March 19
5:30-7:30pm
Iowa Western Dodge Hall - Council Bluffs
Event is FREE but registration is required
email [email protected] to register.
Read our blog post, with photos and videos of the event, here.
Tuesday, March 19
5:30-7:30pm
Iowa Western Dodge Hall - Council Bluffs
Event is FREE but registration is required
email [email protected] to register.
Read our blog post, with photos and videos of the event, here.
Funding Local Farmers
Thursday, February 15
6:30-8:00pm
Virtual program via Zoom
Learn about grant and lending opportunities available for small-scale local food producers in southwest Iowa.
Free but pre-registration required.
Thursday, February 15
6:30-8:00pm
Virtual program via Zoom
Learn about grant and lending opportunities available for small-scale local food producers in southwest Iowa.
Free but pre-registration required.
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup - One Farm Market
Wednesday, January 31
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
One Farm Market
217 E 7th St.
Logan, IA 51546
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
RSVP to [email protected]
Wednesday, January 31
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
One Farm Market
217 E 7th St.
Logan, IA 51546
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
RSVP to [email protected]
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup with Hidden Hollow Farm
Thursday, January 25, 2024
6-8pm
Full Fledged Brewery, Council Bluffs
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
RSVP to [email protected]
Thursday, January 25, 2024
6-8pm
Full Fledged Brewery, Council Bluffs
Meet other local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
RSVP to [email protected]
SNAP & Double Up Food Bucks Training for Rural Farmers Markets-Online Training
Thursday, January 11, 2024
7-8pm
Do you manage a farmers market in Nebraska or Iowa and are trying to increase food access while attracting new customers? Come learn how you can do just that by accepting Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) and SNAP.
Current market managers will share their success stories, and representatives of SNAP and DUFB programs will be available to review grant opportunities and the next steps you can take.
Event is free and online.
Click here to register.
7-8pm
Do you manage a farmers market in Nebraska or Iowa and are trying to increase food access while attracting new customers? Come learn how you can do just that by accepting Double Up Food Bucks (DUFB) and SNAP.
Current market managers will share their success stories, and representatives of SNAP and DUFB programs will be available to review grant opportunities and the next steps you can take.
Event is free and online.
Click here to register.
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup - Cottonwood Hill Farms
Friday, December 15
10am-Noon
Cottonwood Hill Farms
McClelland
Meet local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
10am-Noon
Cottonwood Hill Farms
McClelland
Meet local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
Prairie Seed Processing Day + Farmer Meetup
at Mullein Hill Farm
Sunday, November 5th
1:00pm-4:00pm
2024 Hillside Avenue
Mondamin, IA 51557
Join us for a farm tour and prairie seed saving event. We will have seed saving demos and hands-on seed processing time. Food will also be provided. This is a community event for anyone interested in learning about seed saving. If you have prairie seeds to process feel free to bring them along. Everyone will get to leave with seeds.
Sponsored by Mullein Hill Farm, Golden Hills RC&D, and Center for Rural Affairs.
at Mullein Hill Farm
Sunday, November 5th
1:00pm-4:00pm
2024 Hillside Avenue
Mondamin, IA 51557
Join us for a farm tour and prairie seed saving event. We will have seed saving demos and hands-on seed processing time. Food will also be provided. This is a community event for anyone interested in learning about seed saving. If you have prairie seeds to process feel free to bring them along. Everyone will get to leave with seeds.
Sponsored by Mullein Hill Farm, Golden Hills RC&D, and Center for Rural Affairs.
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup - Flavor Country Farms
Friday, October 20, 2023
4-6pm
Flavor Country Farms, Honey Creek
Meet local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
Please RSVP to [email protected]
Friday, October 20, 2023
4-6pm
Flavor Country Farms, Honey Creek
Meet local food producers and others interested in local food farming in SW IA at a free networking & socializing event.
Please RSVP to [email protected]
SILT Meet & Greet
Please join us for a Meet & Greet Social, Friday evening, to welcome the new director of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), Breanna Horsey, as she culminates her tour of southwest Iowa.
This is a great opportunity for any landowner, beginning or BIPOC farmer, or person interested in learning more about SILT's worthwhile mission: To secure, preserve and steward threatened farmland, ensuring that future generations of farmers have access to Iowa land to produce healthy food in the most sustainable ways possible.
We hope to see you there. Appetizers and beverages will be served. The event will be Friday, September 22nd from 5-7pm at the Classic Cafe, 315 Main Street, Malvern
Please join us for a Meet & Greet Social, Friday evening, to welcome the new director of the Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), Breanna Horsey, as she culminates her tour of southwest Iowa.
This is a great opportunity for any landowner, beginning or BIPOC farmer, or person interested in learning more about SILT's worthwhile mission: To secure, preserve and steward threatened farmland, ensuring that future generations of farmers have access to Iowa land to produce healthy food in the most sustainable ways possible.
We hope to see you there. Appetizers and beverages will be served. The event will be Friday, September 22nd from 5-7pm at the Classic Cafe, 315 Main Street, Malvern
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup
Saturday, June 10, 2023
1:00-3:00pm
Paradigm Pastures, Crescent, Iowa
Meet other local food producers for a networking & socializing event.
RSVP by email to [email protected]
1:00-3:00pm
Paradigm Pastures, Crescent, Iowa
Meet other local food producers for a networking & socializing event.
RSVP by email to [email protected]
Culinary Club - Local Foods Workshop (Clarinda or virtual)
The local food scene is growing in Southwest Iowa, and state laws on local food sales have recently changed. More and more locals are selling food they make or grow at a farmer's market, through Facebook, or to a local grocery store or restaurant. Southwest Iowa Food and Farm Initiative (SWIFFI) is a network of food producers in coordinated by Golden Hills. Join our Local Foods Coordinator Jamie Smidt Fowler as she discusses local SW Iowa food at this event hosted by Clarinda Public Library Culinary Club on Monday, April 24 at 6:30pm (live in Clarinda or via Zoom). Register for the Zoom link here.
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup
Saturday, February 25, 2023
3-5pm
Neighborhood Bakehouse - 308 E. Coolbaugh, Red Oak
Meet other local food producers for a free networking and socializing event.
Partners include Golden Hills, SWIFFI, Neighborhood Bakehouse, and Resilient Farms.
RSVP requested: email [email protected]
Local Food Workshop
When: Saturday, February 4, 2023
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th St, Atlantic, IA 50022)
What: The local food scene is growing in Southwest Iowa, and state laws on local food sales have recently changed. Whether you are interested in selling food you make or grow at a farmers market, through Facebook, or to a local grocery store or restaurant, this afternoon workshop is for you.
Who: Anyone who sells or is interested in selling local foods including produce, meat, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, syrups, salsas, baked goods, prepared food (including food trucks), and more.
Cost: Free!
To register: No registration requied, but RSVPs are appreciated to Golden Hills RC&D Local Foods Coordinator Jamie Fowler at [email protected] or (712) 482-3029.
Find notes and resources from this program here.
Time: 1pm to 4pm
Where: Cass County Community Center (805 W 10th St, Atlantic, IA 50022)
What: The local food scene is growing in Southwest Iowa, and state laws on local food sales have recently changed. Whether you are interested in selling food you make or grow at a farmers market, through Facebook, or to a local grocery store or restaurant, this afternoon workshop is for you.
Who: Anyone who sells or is interested in selling local foods including produce, meat, eggs, honey, jams, jellies, syrups, salsas, baked goods, prepared food (including food trucks), and more.
Cost: Free!
To register: No registration requied, but RSVPs are appreciated to Golden Hills RC&D Local Foods Coordinator Jamie Fowler at [email protected] or (712) 482-3029.
Find notes and resources from this program here.
SW IA Farmer Meetup at PFI Conference
Visit us at the PFI Conference this weekend in Ames!
January 20-21.
Find our vendor table with information about Golden Hills, SWIFFI, and local foods.
Meet at our booth immediately before lunch at 11:30am on Saturday
if you want to sit with other SW IA folks!
January 20-21.
Find our vendor table with information about Golden Hills, SWIFFI, and local foods.
Meet at our booth immediately before lunch at 11:30am on Saturday
if you want to sit with other SW IA folks!
Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup
Friday, October 28
4:30-6:00pm
Brun Ko Farm - Exira
Meet up with food producers and other local food system advocates for a free networking and information-sharing event! Bring some snacks or drinks to share if you'd like, and a lawn chair.
RSVP by 10/25 by emailing [email protected]
Friday, October 28
4:30-6:00pm
Brun Ko Farm - Exira
Meet up with food producers and other local food system advocates for a free networking and information-sharing event! Bring some snacks or drinks to share if you'd like, and a lawn chair.
RSVP by 10/25 by emailing [email protected]
Food Preservation classes - Learn about these programs in partnership with Iowa Western here.
SWIFFI/Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup
Sunday, July 24
4:30-6:00pm
One Farm - Logan
Meet up with food producers and other local food system advocates for a free networking and information-sharing event! Bring some snacks or drinks to share if you'd like, and a lawn chair.
RSVPs requested by 7/22: email [email protected]
Sunday, July 24
4:30-6:00pm
One Farm - Logan
Meet up with food producers and other local food system advocates for a free networking and information-sharing event! Bring some snacks or drinks to share if you'd like, and a lawn chair.
RSVPs requested by 7/22: email [email protected]
Join Practical Farmers of Iowa and Golden Hills RC&D at Ellen and Daniel Rosmann's farm for a free, public screening of Livestock on the Land! The film is a feature-length documentary that tells the story of regenerative grazing and its promise for the Iowa landscape. We'll have a social hour with snacks prior to showing the movie outdoors. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy movie night on the farm!
Location:
Pin Oak Place at Rosmann Family Farms:
1240 Ironwood Rd.
Harlan, IA 51537
Please do not use the address in GPS as it may lead you down a dirt road. The farm is located 4 miles northwest of Highway 59 and Cyclone Avenue in Harlan.
7:30 - Social hour (PFI will provide snacks)
8:30 - Film begins (film is 1 hour & 15 min.)
Learn more at https://practicalfarmers.org/programs/livestock/livestock-on-the-land/
Location:
Pin Oak Place at Rosmann Family Farms:
1240 Ironwood Rd.
Harlan, IA 51537
Please do not use the address in GPS as it may lead you down a dirt road. The farm is located 4 miles northwest of Highway 59 and Cyclone Avenue in Harlan.
7:30 - Social hour (PFI will provide snacks)
8:30 - Film begins (film is 1 hour & 15 min.)
Learn more at https://practicalfarmers.org/programs/livestock/livestock-on-the-land/
The Cass County Local Food Policy Council invites people from Southwest Iowa to participate in one of two upcoming sessions to discuss Iowa food needs and opportunities. The Iowa Food System Coalition (previously Iowa Ag Vision) is gathering input to understand needs and opportunities throughout the Iowa food system—from farms and grocery stores, to restaurants and consumers. Participants will discuss Iowa food challenges, strengths, and goals for the future.
Iowa Food System Input Sessions for Southwest Iowa:
All people have experience with food, and everyone in Southwest Iowa is welcome to participate. However, people who work in food-related jobs and people who are passionate about local food are particularly encouraged to attend.
These events are part of the Iowa Food System Coalition ’s All Iowa Talks About Food. The Coalition is a broad spectrum of local food & farm leaders across Iowa working to better coordinate statewide work, to further invest in, and develop, enduring local/regional food supply chains that are fair, equitable, and lead to the economic vitality of all involved.
Iowa Food System Input Sessions for Southwest Iowa:
- Feb. 15, 9:30-11 AM - Virtual - Register here.
- Feb. 24, 6:00-7:30 PM at Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) - No registration is required.
All people have experience with food, and everyone in Southwest Iowa is welcome to participate. However, people who work in food-related jobs and people who are passionate about local food are particularly encouraged to attend.
These events are part of the Iowa Food System Coalition ’s All Iowa Talks About Food. The Coalition is a broad spectrum of local food & farm leaders across Iowa working to better coordinate statewide work, to further invest in, and develop, enduring local/regional food supply chains that are fair, equitable, and lead to the economic vitality of all involved.
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Cool-season Crops, and Growing Crops in the Cold
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Monday, January 31
7:00pm-8:30pm Virtual program From leafy greens to root crops and herbs, growing cool season crops can stretch harvest to well past the first frost. Best practices for growing cool-season crops will be covered. Learn also about the 48-week CSA season that Dan Fillius utilized while at the Michigan State University Organic Farm, which promised members 3 fresh crops every week throughout the winter. This training will be led by Dan Fillius, Field Specialist, Commercial Vegetables and Specialty Crops with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach. Registration required. $5 fee. Resources from this program:
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Tools for Growing Vegetables on 140 Acres
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Monday, January 24
7:00pm-8:30pm Virtual program Ever wonder what it would take to grow vegetables on a large scale? Learn about the tools and practices that Dan Fillius used while farming 140 acres of vegetables at Featherstone Farm in Southeastern MN. Tools and techniques covered include harvest conveyors, cultivation techniques, seeders, coolers and people management tools. This training will be led by Dan Filius, Field Specialist, Commercial Vegetables and Specialty Crops with Iowa State University Extension & Outreach. Registration required. $5 fee. Resources from this program: |
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Farm to School Training
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Farm to School Training
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 3:00-5:00pm Farmtable Procurement & Delivery 1901 Hawkeye Ave. Harlan, IA 51537 This training is designed for producers interested in selling to local schools. Topics will include: Working with Food Hubs in Iowa, Wholesale Readiness, Marketing, & more. The training is free and open to the public but registration is required. Presentation slides & resources from Extension & State staff. Presentation slide from Ellen Walsh-Rosmann |
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Food Safety & Inspections Training
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Food Safety & Inspections Training
Wednesday, November 10, 2021 5:00-6:30pm Farmtable Procurement & Delivery 1901 Hawkeye Ave. Harlan, IA 51537 This training is intended for local food producers and businesses. Iowa Department of Inspections & Appeals staff will share information about legal requirements for food processing & sales. Topics will include: Determining when a license is required, what types of license are needed, and other questions about regulations and regulatory requirements for the different types of licenses. Free and open to the public, but registration required. Presentation slides. |
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