Upcoming Programs
Check back soon for information about upcoming field days and farmer meetups this summer and fall!
Previous Programs
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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2021-2022 Meetups & Field Days
We are currently planning farmer meetups and field days for fall & winter 2021. If you are interested in hosting or have suggestions, please complete this form.
Email Updates
Golden Hills sends at least monthly email newsletters about local food and sustainable agriculture events & programs, funding opportunities, and other news & resources.
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org to get added to the SWIFFI email list.
Email lance@goldenhillsrcd.org to get added to the SWIFFI email list.
About SWIFFI
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.
Click the links below to learn more:
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.
Click the links below to learn more:
