Local Food Systems Why Local? Why Now? Craig Chase ISUEO Specialist – Local Foods LFFP Coordinator LCSA MFSI Program Leader

Problem #1 Who is going to farm and what are the opportunities for a beginning farmer? Can most beginning farmers make a living with a conventional C-Sb farming operation given… –Current land prices –Current machinery prices? What are the expectations that a beginning C- Sb conventional farmer can be large enough to make a living?

Local Food Systems Benefits Opportunity #1 – the capital costs for beginning farmers is much less due to smaller machinery and land base needed. –Fruit and vegetable operations, along with niche livestock offer an opportunity for beginning farmers that want to farm, to be able to farm with less risk and less capital outlay.

Problem #2 With fewer farms surrounding small rural communities, there are fewer young families with children in school and fewer consumers to purchase local merchandise resulting in declining small rural communities. Declining communities lead to fewer opportunities for non-farm kids to remain in the communities they grew up in.

Local Food Systems Benefits Opportunity #2 – Development of local food systems contributes jobs to the Iowa economy. –According to Dave Swenson at ISU, if all Iowans purchased locally 5 servings of fruits and vegetables for 3 months, $302 million in economic activity would accrue along with the creation of 4,094 jobs. –According to a recent USDA study, for every $1M in local produce sales, 13 FTE on-farm jobs are created.

Problem #3 There are changes occurring to the global climate resulting in wider swings in temperatures and weather events (droughts, floods, etc.) due to increases in greenhouse gases. Non-renewable energy supplies are decreasing and prices are more sensitive to supply swings.

Local Food Systems Benefits Opportunity #3 – Local food systems offers the potential to lower greenhouse gases and fuel usage through a more regional distribution system than the global system that is currently in place.

Problem #4 One third of U. S. children are obese or overweight. Over the past three decades, obesity rates have doubled in 6-11 year olds and tripled in year olds. Obese children are more likely to develop Type 2 Diabetes, high blood pressure and high blood lipids. 1 in 3 children born in 2000 will be diabetic in their lifetime (CDC). Our children will be the first generation to have a life expectancy shorter than their parents.

Local Food Systems Benefits Opportunity #4 - Promote healthier eating habits –Students: Regular access to healthy food has been proven to be one of the strongest predictors of improved school performance. –Food Service: school meal participation average increase +9%.

Local Food Systems Interest Interest is increasing rapidly because of the benefits of local food system development. Local food can add diversity to Iowa’s agricultural landscape. Economic benefits to beginning farmers and to state’s economy.

Response from the Legislature Iowa Local Food and Farm Plan was a response to increasing consumer demand for local food. –Requested by Iowa legislature in 2010, presented in January –29 operational recommendations / six sections: Business development and financial assistance Processing Food safety Beginning, minority, and transitioning farmers Assessing progress Local food incentives.

Response from the Legislature Local Food and Farm Initiative passed legislation. Initiated Coordinator and Advisory Council: –Iowa Farmers Union –Iowa Farmers Market Association –League of RC&Ds –Regional Food System Working Group –Industry representative –Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Preliminary report due February 2012, final report due June 2012.

Response from the Legislature 5 section leaders to assess progress, identify barriers, and outline next steps for each recommendation. Identify projects to fund based on section leader findings and recommendations.

Next Steps… From regional and national studies, it appears: –The largest barrier is likely to be expanding production and aggregation; second largest is providing GAP and other training to ensure food safety. –Other areas of expanding opportunities include working with beginning, minority, and transitioning farmers and urban agriculture.

Next Steps… BOTTOM LINE The pace and the breadth of what happens next is dependent upon financial commitments by the legislature and other interested parties.

Questions….. Any questions or comments? Thank You for This Opportunity! Craig A. Chase Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture Marketing and Food System Initiative Program Leader Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Local Food and Farm Program Coordinator Local Food Systems and Alternative Enterprise Analysis 209B Curtiss Hall Ames, IA (515)