February 8, 2023

We continuously update the SWIFFI Local Food Guide. If you are featured in the Local Food Guide, please check your listing to make sure that the information online is accurate and up to date. For corrections or additions, or if you are not listed and want to be, or know of someone producing local foods that is not listed, please contact: Jamie Fowler at jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org.  

Kurt Rueber takes time to explain the new Cottage Food Laws to interested producers at the Cass County Community Center on Saturday, February 4th.

Cottage Food Laws in the state of Iowa changed in 2022, allowing increased opportunities for bakers and other value-added producers working out of their home kitchen.

Cass County Extension, the Cass County Local Food Policy Council and Golden Hills RC&D hosted an informational meeting to discuss the changing laws for home baking and cottage foods. Food safety expert, Kurt Rueber, of the Food Bureau, housed under the Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals, lead the discussion. The meeting was very informative. If you are interested in starting a Cottage Food business, or you already operate one, and you need help navigating the new laws, please reach out to Jamie Fowler, Local Foods Coordinator at Golden Hills RC&D. She can be reached at jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org or 712-482-3029 ext. 12. She is here to help in any way possible.

Upcoming Golden Hills/SWIFFI News & Events

A Southwest Iowa Farmer Meetup will be held on Saturday, February 25th at the new Neighborhood Bakehouse in Red Oak. This is a free networking and social event for southwest Iowa local food producers or interested parties. Snack and drinks will be provided.

The event is coordinated by Golden Hills and co-hosted by Maggie and Steve owners of Resilient Farms outside of Red Oak.

Please RSVP by the 21st to jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org

We are currently planning additional farmer meetups and field days for 2023. If you are interested in hosting or have suggestions for topics, presenters, or locations, please complete this form. 

If you have any events or news you'd like included in upcoming SWIFFI updates, please email me. You can also follow the

SWIFFI Facebook page for updates.

• Hort Farmer Meet-up coordinated by the Practical Farmers of Iowa and hosted by Danelle Myer, owner of One Farm and One Farm Market, is this Friday, February 10th from 10am-noon. The event will be at the Aroma Bakery and Cafe, 409 Walker St., Woodbine. Please RSVP to Jacqueline Venner Senske at jacqueline.venner.senske@practicalfarmers.org or call her office at 515-232-5661.

• The Produce in the Park Sweetheart Market is this Saturday, February 11 from noon-3pm at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA. This will be a fun event with a variety of vendors, Pim's Thai food truck and a bouncy house for the kids! Go to Produce in the Park Atlantic, Iowa for more details.

• Iowa Learning Farms is hosting a Cover Crop Workshop in Walnut on Tuesday, February 21 from noon-2pm. RSVP by February 13 to 515-294-5429 or ILF@iastate.edu. This will be a free workshop and meal for farmers, landowners and conservation professionals. The workshop will be held at the Walnut Community Center-Community Room, 415 Antique City Drive, Walnut, IA.

• Register now for the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference taking place on February 22 & 23. Pre-conference workshops on sweet corn and floriculture will be held on Tuesday, February 21.

• The Iowa Forage and Grassland Council annual conference will be held in Ames on February 28.

• Register for the Virtual Local Food Leader workshop sessions, organized by Iowa State University by March 16. This certification will teach foundational competencies critical for successful food systems development.

• Eligible Iowa farm owners should apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farrm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively. To apply download the application here.

• There's still time to complete the 2022 Census of Agriculture. The census is a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Even small plots of land, urban or rural, count if $1,000 or more fruits, veggies, or food animals were raised or sold. According to the USDA, "For America's farmers and ranchers, the Census of Agriculture is their voice, their future, and their opportunity." February 2023 is the deadline. Get it done.

Funding Opportunities

• USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program applications must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on May 1, 2023. Click here for information.

Contact: Jamie Fowler | Golden Hills RC&D | jamie.fowler@goldenhillsrcd.org