1. Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard & Winneshiek Counties Teresa Wiemerslage Iowa State University Extension

2. Map of tributaries and water resources

3. The Problem: Producers observed a disconnect between downtown businesses and the ag community.

4. “Why don’t we grow our own food in the American Heartland?”

6. Why Local Food Fits

7. Above Average… 7417 Farms; County Average = 1236 Source: 2007 Ag Census CountyFarms Acres in farming Average Farm Size Allamakee103271%266 Chickasaw103790%279 Clayton165579%247 Fayette139885%298 Howard87789%318 Winneshiek141885%221 State Avg93892%331

8. Total Ag Sales = $1.25 billion 59% of farm income is from livestock Source: 2007 Ag Census County Crop Sales (million) Livestock Sales (million) Allamakee$35.526%$97.274% Chickasaw$98.644%$127.656% Clayton$86.838%$143.262% Fayette$134.447%$151.953% Howard$91.853%$82.647% Winneshiek$71.436%$128.364% State Avg$10.3 B51%$10.1 B49%

9. Sold $1.3 M of food directly to consumers. 2 nd Allamakee: $329,000 7 th Winneshiek: $282,000 29 apple orchards 47 vegetable farms Source: 2007 Ag Census

10. $3.5 million in organic sales 10% of the certified organic farms in Iowa 26% of the total organic sales for the state State Ranking: Organic Sales 1 st Winneshiek 2 nd Allamakee 6 th Howard 8 th Clayton Source: 2002 Ag Census

11. CountyFood at home (million $) Food away from home (million $) Total (million $) Allamakee191433 Clayton241943 Fayette282250 Howard131023 Winneshiek251944 Total109 (56%)84 (44%)193 Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Dollars Spent on Food each Year Total Income = $1.29 Billion

12. Currently in NE Iowa, less than 1% of food is locally purchased. Shifting 25% of food spending to local sources would stimulate the local economy with 48 million dollars. By purchasing 25% of fruits and vegetables locally, it would create 204 jobs and $10.8 million in labor income and $91 million in total economic activity in the region. Local food systems have local benefits

13. The Impact

14. 1. Creation of a learning community

15. Organization Over 100 members on listserve Monthly meetings in Decorah Member, partner driven Coordinated by ISU Extension Additional assistance from grant staff, partners, Americorp Current grants: FFI, Leopold Center, IDALS, Community Vitality Center

16. 1. Creation of a learning community Geographic Based Function based (diversify) Help producers diversify Explore regional processing, storage Increase consumption FFI brings broader focus

17. 2. Developed a strategic plan

18. NE Iowa Food & Farm Coalition Active Living Work Group Regional Youth Work Group Regional School Work Group

20. 3. Facilitated institutional purchases of local foods Local Food Breakfasts Clarified policy of use of local foods Farm to School Local food directory and website Producer workshops

21. 4. Expanded the growing season Plantpeddler Greenhouse tours Certified kitchen Investigating storage and processing

22. 5. Engaging schools Comprehensive Farm to School School gardens Food service education Teacher education Cross-age teaching Home Grown School Lunch Week

23. 6. Increased commitment to buying local Luther College – 35% by 2012 Sodexho discussions Food safety education for producers

24. 6. Increased commitment to buying local Local food sales Total sales 200752,620.00 2008Previous54,919.00 $67,719.00 New12,800.00 2009Previous149,605.77 $638,600.46 New488,944.69 Table 1. Sales of locally grown foods by producers in August 2008- June 09.

25. 6. Increased commitment to buying local Increased purchases by institutions from local producers in 2008-09. Local food purchases Total purchases 2007$94,021.00 2008Previous$313,169.67 $320,669.67 New$19,244.00 2009Previous$507,207.31 $544,659.53 New$37,452.22

26. 7. Leverage funding and expertise Producer mini-grants Year# Grants Mini-Grant Amt $ Leveraged 2010?$12,000.00? 2009123,262.5049,792.00 2008205,995.00108,242.23 2007142,940.00134,723.60

27. 7. Leverage funding and expertise Leopold Center & partners WK Kellogg Foundation Iowa Department of Agriculture Community Vitality Center Iowa Farm Bureau Iowa Women in Agriculture NE IA Business Network Since 2006: $65,190 $500,000 Mini Grant match Total = $969,583 (Oct 2009)

28. POLICIES: State fruit and vegetable policy for institutions Iowa Cattlemen's Association adopt new policy to support local markets Working with schools on procurement of local foods Policy & System Change Will Drive Our Work

29. Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette, Howard & Winneshiek Counties www.iowafoodandfitness.org www.iowafreshfood.com