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.
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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:
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. 

Upcoming Programs

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 Local Foods Summit
Friday, November 10, 2023 in Avoca
More details will be posted here soon!

Previous Programs

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 jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org
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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 jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org

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 jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org 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!
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 lance@goldenhillsrcd.org
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 lance@goldenhillsrcd.org
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/
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:
  • 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. 

Cool-season Crops, and Growing Crops in the Cold

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:

Tools for Growing Vegetables on 140 Acres

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:

Farm to School Training

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

Food Safety & Inspections Training

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.

Email Updates

Golden Hills sends (about) monthly email newsletters about local food and sustainable agriculture events & programs, funding opportunities, and other news & resources.
​Email jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org to get added to the SWIFFI email list.