Growing Connections in the Raccoon River Valley

INCA’s 15th Annual Local Foods Conference

Perry, Iowa 

March 4-5, 2011

Pre-Conference Event - Friday, March 4, 2011

Mapping the Connections

3:00-5:00 p.m. - Town/Craft Center, 1124 Willis Avenue, Perry, Iowa

A limited number of participants will be invited to this working session to map the local food system within a 45 mile radius of Perry.  Results from Friday’s session will be discussed Saturday morning.  For further information, contact Conference Coordinator, Linda Nelson, by email at Lsnelson1@hotmail.com

Wine and Cheese Tasting Social

5:30-6:30 p.m.

This event is free to all conference attendees.  For those not registered for the Saturday conference by February 22, 2011, the cost is $10 per person. 

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Hotel Pattee

1112 Willis Avenue – Perry, Iowa

Registration and Refreshments

7:30-8:30 a.m.

Join us for registration and refreshments while getting settled in to the conference.

Conference Welcome

9:00 a.m.

Judith McMahon, Two Rivers Story Spinners

Welcome by Ryan Marquardt, INCA Board Chair

We will welcome you to the conference, introduce those involved, and help

you make connections.

Keynote Speaker

9:30-10:30 a.m.

Bill Menner, State Director for Rural Development in Iowa

The presentation will highlight existing regional food efforts and innovative initiatives underway in Iowa.  He will also focus on the opportunities that exist through USDA for a comprehensive expansion of local-foods production, processing, distribution and consumption.

Break

10:30 – 11:00 a.m.

Food Mapping Discussion and Annual Meeting

11:00 -12:15 p.m.

Food Mapping – What were the connections?

INCA board members, Andy Larson and Matt Russell, will explain the food system mapping that was done on Friday afternoon. Additionally, we will discuss what they and the participants learned about the local food system and the potential for growth in this area of Iowa.

INCA Annual meeting – Changes in store for this organization?

The annual meeting for INCA will be led by INCA board chair, Ryan Marquardt.  In addition the board will announce some changes in the organization and the way they will work towards their mission in the future.

All Iowa Potluck Lunch

12:15 -1:30 p.m.

The potluck lunch has long been an INCA tradition.  Please bring a hot or cold dish that will serve at least six people.  INCA will provide the beverages and table service.  Volunteers will receive your dish when you register and be able to assist you in keeping crock pots hot. If you bring a cold dish we ask that you please keep this item in an insulated container and bring it in at the time of the lunch.  Please gather your serving dishes at the end of the meal prior to the beginning of the first workshop session at 1:30 p.m.

Workshop One

1:30 -2:30 p.m.

            (See workshops options below.)

Break at the Hotel Pattee

2:30-3:00 p.m.

Workshop Two

3:00-4:00 p.m.

(See workshops options below.)

Gathering Up the Day

4:00 – 4:15 p.m.

INCA Board members and planning team members will ask for your final thoughts about the day and gather evaluations about the conference.

1:30 -2:30 p.m.

So, You Want to Farm.  What’s Your Plan? 

There are many questions and options to think through when considering the opportunity to start up a small farm operation. A good plan is essential to a good beginning. This session will be led by Gary Huber, Senior Program Specialist for Practical Farmers of Iowa. He also coordinates the Pork Niche Market Working Group and manages the Iowa Food Cooperative. He and his wife, Penny, have 24 acres where they raise specialty produce for various local markets in central Iowa.  (A Spanish interpreter will be provided for this session.)

How Do I Market What I Grow? Bring your questions and join an open discussion on what folks have learned about marketing what they grow.  Whether you are interested in a CSA, farmer’s market, a food cooperative, etc., you will pick up tips and learn from what others have tried.  This session will be led by Ethan Book of Crooked Gap Farm who has experimented with several marketing methods; and Jeff Kienast, organic grain farmer & meat goat producer.

Exploring Agri-Tourism

Building relationships with consumers is an integral part to marketing local foods.  As a part of building relationships, growers need to get to know their consumers and provide a fun experience for families.  We’ll discuss what goes into the organizing of these events and how they impact small farm businesses and communities.  Sean Skeehan of Blue Gate Farm will lead a discussion about his experiences in the annual “Farm Crawl”, a one-day tour of seven independent family farms in south-central Iowa.

Rediscovering Food Preservation

Even high tunnels can’t extend the growing season through the coldest of the winter months in Iowa.  But freezing, canning, drying and proper storage of foods can allow us to enjoy many foods when they aren’t in season.  Jody Gatewood, Iowa State University Extension Nutrition and Health Program Specialist, will lead a discussion and answer your questions about food preservation.

Working Together: Small Farmers, Restaurants, and Institutions

Sounds simple enough: Small farmers grow food, and restaurants and institutions such as schools and care facilities prepare and serve this food.  But challenges do exist on the side of the grower and on the side of the restaurant or institution.  Join us in this open discussion led by Donna Sevenich, Food Service Director at Dallas Center-Grimes Schools, and Scott and Julie Wilbur of Wilbur’s Produce in Boone to learn how local foods can become more widely used in meals served at restaurants and institutions.

3:00-4:00 p.m.

Financing Your Small Farm Operation

When thinking about starting or expanding a small farm operation, many questions can arise.  And even after a good plan is developed, questions surrounding financing may still exist. Paula Volesky, loan specialist with the Iowa Farm Service Agency will discuss financing options through FSA and others. (A Spanish interpreter will be provided for this session.)

Extending the Growing Season

Extending the growing season is one way to increase farm sales.  If you are interested in hearing real experiences from growers who are using high tunnels you will want to attend this session led by Jill Beebout of Blue Gate Farm.  Jill will share their experiences since completing their first high tunnel in the fall of 2006 and their second structure in 2010.

How Can Local Places or Events Be Used to Showcase Local Foods?  A multitude of recreational, tourist, and historic attractions occur near the Raccoon River Valley.  Bike trails, barn quilts, and historic sites such as Bonnie and Clyde’s Last Stand are just a few local attractions that bring in families. How might small farmers take advantage of these attractions to let people know where local foods are available?  Come join a brainstorming session on how to use these opportunities to showcase local foods with Beth Grabau, Iowa Farm Service Agency Outreach Coordinator, and Mickey Carlson, Iowa State University and Iowa Finance Authority.

New Approaches to Healthy Meal Planning

What we eat plays a big role in our health both short term and long term.  Planning meals that include local food choices will help families stay on track to healthy eating.  Carol Richardson Smith, certified Family and Consumer Scientist, Vice President of the newly organized Iowa Food Systems Council, and Brian Smith RD LD with Iowa Lutheran Hospital, will lead this discussion.

Explore and Debrief Morning Programs

This session is designed for those individuals who want more information as a result of hearing the keynote speaker, Bill Menner, or the Food Mapping discussion.  This will be an open discussion facilitated by Andy Larson, INCA Board member. Speakers from the morning programs will join in the discussion and answer questions.   

Scholarships

A limited number of discounted registrations will be available.  For details, please contact Conference Coordinator, Linda Nelson, by email at Lsnelson1@hotmail.com or by phone at 515-491-3984.

Interpreters

Spanish interpreters will interpret the morning sessions and two workshop sessions using equipment loaned by the Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

Questions about the Conference

Contact the Conference Coordinator, Linda Nelson, by email at Lsnelson1@hotmail.com or by phone at 515-491-3984.

Parking

A free public parking lot is available at the northwest corner of the intersection of 1st Street and Willis Avenue. This is in the first block west of the Hotel Pattee. Some street parking is also available.

Lodging Information

The Hotel Pattee is offering special room rates for those making reservations before February 11, 2011.   To receive the special rate, call 515-465-3511 and tell them you are attending the INCA conference.  View the rooms at the Hotel Pattee’s website: www.hotelpattee.com

Visitor Information

For other visitor information, please visit the city of Perry’s website:  www.perryia.org.