Inspired by the highly successful Illinois gathering convened by Basil’s Harvest, the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy and Environmental Education (UNI-CEEE) and the Iowa Food System Coalition (IFSC) are collaborating to host the Healing from the Ground Up: Iowa Summit.

The current state:

Healthcare delivery, food systems, and agriculture operate largely in isolation today, limiting our ability to address the upstream contributors to chronic disease and create sustainable food systems. Human health depends directly on food quality, which is determined by agricultural practices and planetary health throughout the food system from production to disposal. Consumers seek comprehensive guidance that goes beyond basic dietary recommendations – they want to understand preventive nutrition while making choices that are economically viable and culturally appropriate.

What to Expect:

The summit provides opportunities for engagement, learning, and development and will:

Bridge critical knowledge gaps

• Enhance healthcare professionals’ knowledge about the food system and agriculture.

• Build a shared understanding of how regenerative practices impact soil health and food quality.

• Explore connections between soil health, nutrient density, and health outcomes.

Drive systems-level change among professional stakeholders

• Develop collaborative frameworks for agriculture, food systems, and healthcare

• Establish networks for continued learning and implementation.

• Develop actionable strategies to implement in individual and collective work within communities.

Why it matters

By integrating our approach into agriculture, food systems, and healthcare, we can cultivate more resilient communities, improve public health outcomes, and build a more sustainable future for all.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to be part of a transformative dialogue that could reshape our approach to health and sustainability from the ground up.

Who Should Attend

• Healthcare providers

• Healthcare administrators

• Dietitians and nutritionists

• Community health

• Public health professionals

• Policymakers

• Researchers and educators in related fields

• Food service directors and institutional buyers

• Community leaders

• Farmers and agricultural professionals

• Health Insurance companies

• Funders

Reserve your spot by February 15th at midnight. Space is limited! Registration will close sooner if event capacity is reached. No refunds on registration.

Registration includes all meals and non‑alcoholic beverages:

• March 2 – breakfast, coffee/tea, lunch, appetizers, dinner

• March 3 – breakfast, coffee/tea, lunch

Farmers-please purchase the Discounted Registration Rate of $75 under Farmer Registration.

For overnight attendees, use this LINK to access a discounted rate of $119/night (+tax) at the Holiday Inn & Suites / Bien Venu Event Center (7400 Hudson Road, Cedar Falls, IA 50613). Reservations must be made by February 1, 2026.

Sign up for the Iowa Food System Coalition newsletter to receive updates about this event.