Iowa Valley: A catalyst for Accelerated Change

Iowa Valley RC&D’s commitment to serve as a catalyst for accelerated change is reflected in its leadership that is modeling what’s possible through a vibrant ecosystem of farms, businesses, the natural environment, and thriving urban and rural communities. Headlining this leadership position is what they’ve contributed through  their role, in partnership with Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, as administrator of  the large and demanding LFPA (Local Food Purchasing Assistance) and LFS (Local Food for Schools) programs. These two “sister programs”  have involved coordination of many partners and innovative system development to improve food access and invest in local producer businesses. Their partnership with IDALS continued most recently in the rollout of the Iowa RFSI (Resilient Food System Initiative) which offers grants for local food infrastructure projects, including food hubs and market expansion efforts. 

Two additional programs highlight Iowa Valley’s commitment to local communities and targeted technical support.   Grow JC, a flagship project, operating as a non-profit educational farm that practices sustainable agriculture and provides food to local communities. The Clean Start program offers technical support and educational resources to help farmers navigate food safety regulations and improve their practices.

To learn more, visit Iowa Valley’s website and read stories from the ground, subscribe to Substack here.