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NIFF Coalition Offers Workshop for Farmers Market Vendors
Posted: March 8, 2010
CALMAR -- The NE Iowa Food and Farm Coalition (NIFF) is hosting a workshop on “Preparing for the Farmers Market Season” on March 23 at the NE IA Dairy Foundation Center in Calmar. The workshop will run from 10 am to 3 pm and will feature two speakers and a producer panel.
Growers who want to get serious about farmers markets and the income opportunities they can provide will learn how farmers markets are affecting Iowa, as well as strategies to draw in customers, convey their stories, make the sale and bring customers back.
In the morning session, participants will learn about the state rules and policies of selling at farmers markets from Bob Haxton of the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals. Mr. Haxton is program manager for the Food & Consumer Safety Bureau. He will explain the food handling and food safety rules for selling potentially hazardous and other food products in farmers markets.
The focus of the afternoon session will be on marketing and merchandising at farmers markets. Andy Larson, ISU Extension Specialist in Small Farm Sustainability, will discuss practical ways farmer-vendors can present themselves and their products to sell at farmers markets.
The day will end with a panel of experienced local farmers market vendors. Each will share their unique perspective and experience in marketing. Come prepared with questions and concerns.
The workshop will be held in room 115 at the NE IA Dairy Foundation Center, 1527 Hwy 150 South, Calmar. Those who register by Mar. 17 will receive a toolkit with resources and tools for vendors. The program costs $10 and includes lunch and the toolkit. Scholarships are available from the NIFF Coalition upon request. Call the Allamakee County Extension office at 563-568-6345 to register. Participants may also register online. For more information, call Teresa Wiemerslage, ISU Extension at 563-794-0599.
The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition is working to build a stronger local food and farm economy by supporting the development and marketing of locally grown agriculture products to enhance the lives of local citizens. This workshop is supported in part with funds from Iowa State University Extension, the Buy Fresh Buy Local Chapter of Upper Iowa and the NE Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative.
Working Group to Offer Small Farm Energy Demo Grants
Posted: March 3, 2010
CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – Iowa farmers with small to midsize operations may apply for grants to demonstrate energy efficiency and conservation measures or how they are using renewable energy from their farm to meet energy needs. This opportunity is from the Farm Energy Working Group of the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, facilitated by the UNI Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT).
"Adopting technologies using on-farm resources for small and mid-sized farms offers many ways for farmers to reduce their energy use," said Kamyar Enshayan, working group leader and CEEE director. Grants awarded last fall compare a vertical axis wind turbine to a conventional three-blade unit, test underground bunkers for drying and cold storage of root crops, and use a biomass furnace to heat a high tunnel greenhouse.
Grants of up to $2,000 to pay for the farmer’s time for installation, administration and report writing will be considered for a farm demonstration project. The grants cannot cover any equipment purchases. No matching dollars are required. Proposal deadline is March 31.
For more information about the Farm Energy Working Group and to view the application, go to: http://www.ceee.uni.edu/farmenergy.aspx or contact Carole Yates at mailto:carole.yates@uni.edu, (319) 273-7599.
Iowa Network for Community Agriculture (INCA) to host “Growing Our Roots” gathering
Posted: March 3, 2010
Iowa Network for Community Agriculture (INCA) to host “Growing Our Roots” gathering, potluck and annual membership meeting, March 13, 2010, 9:00am to 3:00pm at the Town/Craft Center, 1122 Willis Avenue, Perry, IA 50220.
The Gathering is free and open to the public. Memberships are not required but will be available for $35.
INCA has traditionally used its annual local food conference as a planning tool to encourage the development of an area’s local food system. This year’s smaller gathering will kick off a full year of planning for the 2011 Local Food Conference to be held in Perry. Members from across Iowa and participants in the Growing Food and Profit groups are encouraged to take this opportunity to reconnect with the INCA community and share ideas in a community mapping session.
Workshops and presenters include:
“Making Poultry Pay” by Tai Johnson-Spratt, Foxhollow Poultry Farms, Elkhart, IA;
“Grow Your Farmers’ Market” by Kelly Foss, director of special events, Downtown Farmers’ Market, Des Moines, IA;
“Profitability for Farm to Market” by Matt Russell, Coyote Run Farm, Lacona, IA and State Food Policy Project Coordinator at Drake Agricultural Law Center, Des Moines, IA;
“Planning the 2011 Local Food Conference” by Ryan Marquardt, Wild Rose Pastures, Reasnor, IA.
The Gathering will feature a traditional potluck meal at noon. Participants are encouraged to bring a dish featuring local and sustainably produced foods to share and their own table service. Apple cider from Deal’s Orchard, Jefferson and homemade ice-cream from Picket Fence Dairy at Woodward will be provided. The Membership’s annual meeting and election of officers will immediately follow lunch.
For more information, please contact Ryan Marquardt, INCA Board chairman at 641.793.2444 or inca.community@gmail.com. Reservations are encouraged.
Reservation Contact:
Chris Henning, INCA Gathering Coordinator
inca.community@gmail.com or 515-370-2436
USDA Unveils “Food Environment Atlas”
Posted: Friday, February 26, 2010
Putting most of its informational eggs together in one basket, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has created and released a new web-based mapping tool called Your Food Environment Atlas. The Atlas presents highly detailed information on local food environments and health outcomes, including grocery store access and disease and obesity prevalence. The tool is intended to help researchers, policy makers, and the public more readily find information about a variety of factors that affect access to healthy and affordable food.
USDA’s Economic Research Service developed the Atlas as a follow-up to First Lady Michelle Obama’s recently-announced Let’s Move! campaign. Let’s Move!, which highlights healthy choices, healthier schools, physical activity, and accessible, affordable and healthy food, “has set an aggressive goal of solving childhood obesity within a generation.”
The Atlas contains county-level information on 90 indicators in three, broad categories: food choices, health and well-being, and community characteristics. The first category offers information on proximity to grocery stores, the number of food stores and restaurants, and data on fast food consumption. The second category includes statistics on food insecurity, obesity, and physical activity levels. Entries in the third category provide information on income and poverty, demographics, and urban-rural demarcations.
For further details on the Let’s Move! campaign, click on: www.LetsMove.gov.
Beginning Farmers: Look beyond Commodity Crops
Posted: February 26, 2010
[Source: www.cfra.org, Feb 2010]
We’re often asked how best to support beginning farmers and ranchers once they’ve accessed land. We’re always on the lookout for ideas, but the following advice is a good starting point.
Look beyond commodity crops. Commodities are usually priced near the cost of production. However, beginning farmers and ranchers need high-margin enterprises to start off. They have smaller operations, less available cash and credit, and less room for error than established farmers.
High margins (or profits) can result from reducing costs, replacing purchases with labor, and selling high-value products. Several options fit with beginners here in the Midwest.
Cut costs. Reducing purchased inputs or using natural systems can cut the need for cash. Farming systems like “organic” both reduce purchases of synthetic inputs and use natural fertility/pest/weed control systems to grow acceptable crops. Using grass and forages for livestock feed instead of harvested/purchased feeds can greatly reduce equipment and facilities costs. Avoiding debt also reduces interest expense.
Use management and labor to replace purchases. Management-intensive grazing uses knowledge and labor to increase productivity of forage and livestock, resulting in more forage per acre, better use of existing forage, and more meat/milk/fiber per acre. Management skills and labor can replace expensive facilities.
Hogs raised in deep-bedded hoop houses were found to yield the same profit as hogs in controlled-environment houses. Hoops cost two-thirds less, but labor made up the difference. That labor is the farmer paying himself. However, s/he should beware of just doing the high-labor activities like calving or farrowing. It’s easy to do lots of work only to sell animals into a low-value market, so a new farmer must be sure to add more value to the animals in some way.
High-value products don’t have to be high-input. The products can be the crops themselves or added-value processed products from those crops. “Natural” meats are worth 5 to 20 percent more than commodity meat. Certified organic produce and grains are worth 20 to 300 percent more than commodity crops.
Milk is a value-added product to the feed and the cow. Organic milk is worth 40 to 80 percent more than commodity milk. Grass-based milk is worth another 10 to 50 percent. The farmer can often name his/her price for grass-based butter, yogurt and ice cream. “Value,” however, is defined by each buyer, so accessing these markets is as important as producing the product.
Add it all up, and the highest margin enterprises that have worked well in the middle U.S. for beginners are direct-marketed produce, certified organic field crops, grass-based dairy and beef, and hoop-house hog farrowing and finishing. It’s possible to start small with all of these, although the dairy option requires more facilities. A farmer must be sure to run the numbers before getting too tied into a production system.
USDA SARE has several good books on natural beef operations and sustainable businesses that might help (www.sare.org). If beginners are not familiar with these types of operations, they can learn a lot from visiting others to see how they run their operations and market their crops. In addition to its many publications on alternative crops and marketing, ATTRA (www.attra.org) lists organizations that sponsor farm tours and conferences where beginners can meet farmers.
Using MarktMaker to Find Food and Sell Food
Posted: Thursday, February 18, 2010
Iowa MarketMaker is an interactive mapping system that locates businesses and markets of agricultural products in Iowa, providing an important link between producers and consumers.
Producers, include MarketMaker in your marketing plan as a way for food buyers to find you.
MarketMaker Tips & Pointers:
Setting up a User Account / Updating Information
You may or may not have a User Account set up. What is a user account for, you ask? A user account gives a business the ability to make changes to their current information. If your products, address, description, etc. changes, you can log into your information and make corrections instead of having to contact MarketMaker staff to do it for you. You can also post ads for products you have for sale as well as see the number of views that have occurred on your MarketMaker profile.
To request a user account, go to http://ia.marketmaker.uiuc.edu/. Click on Register/Log In on the left side of the page. On the next page,
click on Request Account Access. Fill in the 4 pieces of information and hit submit. An email will be sent to you that contains the username and password assigned. Once you receive it, log into your user account and
change the password to something you can remember.
If you already have a user account and forgot the password, follow the directions above except click on “Forgot Password?” instead of Request Account Access. Enter the username assigned to you and submit. A
new password will be emailed to you.
If you already have a user account but can’t remember your username or password, click on Request Account Access and complete the information needed. Your old user account will be deleted and a new one set up with a new username and password. An email will be sent containing this information.
For more information about Iowa MarketMaker, contact the Value Added Agriculture program at Iowa State University. The Value-added Agricultural Program (VAAP) provided unbiased, science-based information to help establish or expand agricultural-related businesses in Iowa. Whether it's a new start-up or an established business wanting to expand, the VAAP works directly with the owners of the business.
Microloans Available for Small Businesses
Posted: February 11, 2010
Entrepreneurs in northeast Iowa now have another financing option to launch their ideas. The Northeast Iowa Food & Farm Coalition, or NIFF Coalition, was recently approved as an affiliate of Iowa Microloan.
“Iowa MicroLoan was created to help Iowans realize their goal of achieving business success when there is a solid idea, team, and commitment to make it work,” says Dan Lane, Iowa State University Extension Program Coordinator. “Iowa MicroLoan was created for those microbusinesses that are considered on the fringe of risk-bearing capacity for most traditional financial institutions.”
The NIFF Coalition is one of six Iowa Microloan affiliates in the state. The NE IA affiliate is focused on loans to agriculture entrepreneurs especially those interested in local food production, however all parties interested in the loan program are encouraged to apply.
“We are excited to bring this financing option to northeast Iowa,” said Lane. “We heard stories about farmers being denied loans for small farm equipment and other capital purchases for local food production because that is a new type of farming for our area. Iowa Microloan is a good fit for those situations.”
Iowa MicroLoan provides a source of capital for those seeking a direct loan of $5,000 to $35,000 or a co-financing arrangement of up to $105,000. Applicants must have applied for a loan at a traditional credit source and have been denied before either of these opportunities are available.
One unique feature of the Iowa Microloan program is that it offers a technical assistance plan of work tailored to the needs of the business. Successful applicants receive a technical assistance grant up to $500 per year to assist in the cost of accessing technical assistance resources and have access to networks of microbusiness development mentors, coaches, and professionals.
The northeast Iowa affiliate is a synergistic combination of three partners using their resources to benefit the region. Iowa State University Extension and the NIFF Coalition along with the Northeast Iowa Business Network and Upper Explorerland Regional Planning Commission have combined their resources and talents to spearhead the program.
For more information about the Northeast Iowa Microloan program, contact Dan Lane at 563-245-1451, danlane@iastate.edu.
Join Practical Farmers of Iowa for their Winter Farminar Series
Posted: February 3, 2010
Practical Farmers of Iowa is excited to announce their winter lineup of online webinars, or “farminars.” Practical Farmers of Iowa has four farminars scheduled for this winter, beginning January 26. To register and participate in the farminars, visit www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar.
Farmers have asked for more learning opportunities in the off-season, and farminars are a good vessel for sharing knowledge. You are able to communicate with and hear from others any place there is a computer connected to the internet. Chris Corbin, beginning farmer near Ames, participated in the first farminar series: “The farminars helped me learn about a diversity of topics from the seat of my home. You save time and money not having to travel to a meeting during winter in Iowa.” Farminars also open up the ability for people worldwide to participate in the meeting, not just those in the vicinity of the speaker.
Practical Farmers of Iowa winter farminars are:
Tuesday, January 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Whole Farm Soil Planning” with Amber Anderson-Mba
• Learn how to use the online Web Soil Survey to access valuable soils information for your farm. Learn the best place to put perennials, annuals, and building structures. Amber grew up on a diverse farm in northwest Iowa. She is now a soils lecturer at Marshalltown Community College and staff for Iowa Farmers Union.
Tuesday, February 2, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Ramp Up Vegetable Production” with Martin Stosiek
• Martin Stosiek will provide a virtual tour of his farm while discussing areas where he has ramped up production and how he made decisions to scale up in these areas. Martin will also discuss his diverse market outlets. Martin and his wife Christa have operated Markristo Farm near Hillsdale, New York, since 1988. They produce a diverse crop of vegetables, cut flowers, and bedding plants on over 20 acres of certified organic land.
Tuesday, February 9, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Grow Vegetables Year-Round” with Adam Montri
• Adam Montri will discuss how you can grow year round with low technology high tunnels in a cold climate. Adam produces food all year at Michigan State University’s Student Organic Farm and Ten Hen Farms, his home farm that he operates with his wife Dru. He will provide detailed crop schedules. Adam is Outreach Specialist for Michigan State University.
Tuesday, February 16, 7:00-8:30 p.m., “Opportunities in Agroforestry” with Tom Wahl
• Tom Wahl will overview the potential for various high value tree crops suitable for Iowa’s climate, including cultural practices, production, prices, markets, pests and diseases. Tree fruits to discuss include chestnut, persimmon, heartnut, paw paw, and more. Tom and his wife Kathy have grown high value tree crops since 1986 and also operate a small tree nursery.
Practical Farmers of Iowa will offer a series of four spring farminars beginning March 2. The spring series will offer participants a “Fish Bowl” view of a beginning farmer learning from an experienced farmer. More details will be released about the spring series as the dates approach.
Did you miss the fall farminar series? All archived farminars are available online at www.practicalfarmers.org/farminar.
Practical Farmers of Iowa’s winter 2010 farminars are made possible by funding from the Ceres Foundation, the Wallace Genetic Foundation, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, and individual donors to our Next Generation Campaign.
Practical Farmers of Iowa includes a diverse group of farmers and nonfarmers. Corn, soybeans, beef cattle, and hay are the top enterprises for PFI farmers, although many have a variety of other operations, including fruits and vegetables. For more information, call 515-232-5661 or visit www.practicalfarmers.org.
Tour Niche Pork Facilities This Winter Virtually
Posted: February 3, 2010
This winter, hog farmers have the chance to see other niche pork operations through three webinars. The webinars will occur February 3, February 10, and March 25. Each webinar occurs over the lunch hour from noon to 1:30 p.m.
In the first two webinars, you will take a virtual tour of the Scott Sibbel operation. Scott’s farm is near Carroll, Iowa, and you’ll be able to see and discuss technologies, ideas, and strategies used in Scott’s operation. Emphasis will be placed on new and innovative techniques and ideas. There will also be opportunities to discuss operation-specific solutions to challenges, and a mini discussion topic will be addressed each week.
The third session will use records from actual niche pork farms to review and discuss key management topics that are important for successfully raising niche hogs.
These webinars offer opportunity to interact with others who share your interests will be rewarding and educational.
If you do not have a computer but would like to participate, you can contact your county ISU Extension office and arrange participating from there.
To learn more about how to sign up for the webinars, visit http://connect.extension.iastate.edu edu/niche or contact Gary Huber, gary@practicalfarmers.org (515)450-6812, or Dave Stender: (712)261-0225, (712)225-6196 or dstender@iastate.edu.
Farm to School Team Teachers Trained
Posted: January 26, 2010
High school students from four school northeast Iowa school districts recently participated in a training coordinated by Iowa State University Extension at Luther College. The training prepared students for their role as cross-age teachers in the Farm to School program which will begin in January.
The high school age team teachers will facilitate Farm to School lessons with second grade students once a month using folios developed specifically for northeast Iowa. The folios feature a different local food each month and provide information for parents and students.
Students from Howard-Winneshiek, Starmont, Postville and Turkey Valley high schools participated. Students from Oelwein and Decorah will be trained at a later date. Each school has an adult coach for the program. In addition to participating in the recent training, the coaches will also be in the classroom to support and supervise the team teachers.
Vanette Grover, 4-H and Youth Development Specialist with Iowa State University Extension, provides support for the Northeast Iowa Farm to School program.
This Farm to School project is part of the Northeast Iowa Food and Fitness Initiative (FFI). It is partially funded through the W. K. Kellogg Foundation Food & Community program and the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture. Six school districts are Farm to School pilot sites. The focus of Northeast Iowa’s Farm to School chapter involves three interdependent components-- education, food service, and school gardens. For more information about Farm to School or the FFI, visit www.iowafoodandfitness.org.
