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Expert to Discuss Local Food System Aug. 27 Posted 21 August 2008 Area farmers and food producers are invited to a special seminar to learn more about the next steps in the development of the local food system in Northeast Iowa. A local food system includes how your food is produced, processed, distributed, prepared, retailed and eaten by the consumer.  It is a complex structure and it is critical to build all  the components of the system at the same time.   Coordinated efforts and cooperation between growers are critical for efficiency and efficacy.  “Developing an Integrated Local Food System in NE IA” will be presented next Wednesday, Aug. 27, beginning at 6 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation Center in Calmar.  Don Dwyer is a consultant with over 29 years in the greenhouse and horticulture industry.  His work has taken him all over the world contributing to projects like the Nepal Medicinal Plant Project where he worked with local farmers to cultivate and process pharmaceutical plants.   In Saudi Arabia, he helped create over 300 acres of greenhouse production to create a local food system in that harsh environment. Using his international experiences in local food system development, Don will identify the challenges in NE IA as we look at an integrated approach to local food production and the best strategies for the development for the local food system in NE IA.    Dwyer is currently working with Mike and Rachel Gooder, owners of Plantpeddler in Cresco,  on the diversification of their greenhouse facility for the production of off-season specialty crops including fruits and vegetables.  He is principally involved to develop a formal business plan for them.  Dwyer will also address business plan development for local food producers that evening from 7:15-8:30 p.m.  A complimentary meal featuring locally grown food will be provided for attendees starting at 5:30 p.m.  Reservations are required by calling 563-568-6345 or emailing wiemer@iastate.edu by Friday, Aug. 22.   Participants are also asked to bring a  fresh fruit or vegetable item to share with a local food shelf.  This seminar is sponsored by the NE IA Food & Farm Coalition (NIFF) with funding from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and the Regional Food System Working Group.  The NIFF Coalition and the Food & Fitness Initiative (FFI) are working together to create community environments that support access to fresh, locally grown, healthy, affordable food and safe environments for physical activity and play. More information about these programs can be found at www.niffcoalition.org or www.iowafoodandfitness.org.

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