Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development

10/28/2026

Build local markets at the Come to the Table: Iowa Supply Chain Summit!

📅 November 17-18, 2026
📍 Hotel Millwright (Amana) & Fireside Winery (Marengo)

Whether you can make it for part or all of the event, this summit is your opportunity to connect, learn, and collaborate. We are bringing together local food and farm businesses, RFSI grant awardees, buyers, food hubs, institutions, restaurants, grocers, schools, and partners from every corner of the state to build real relationships and strengthen our regional food supply chain.

Opening night will include a locally-sourced dinner and keynote speaker Danna Larson, founder and host of the Rural Revival podcast. We'll also premiere our newest video highlighting the vital impact of RFSI funding on the middle of the food supply chain—told directly from the perspectives of a local farmer, producer, and food hub.

We hope to see you there!

👉 Register by November 1 ! https://www.iowavalleyrcd.org/cometothetable

Come to the Table: Iowa Supply Chain SummitMark your calendars and register for the Come to the Table: Iowa Supply Chain Summit November 17th & 18th at Hotel Millwright in Amana & Fireside Winery in Marengo. Come to build new relationships and explore opportunities to buy, sell, collaborate, and str...

10/19/2026

Whether you're an experienced farmer, an urban gardener, or a curious community member, join Iowa Valley RC&D and Facilitator Mark Quee this Thursday for an engaging workshop about the benefits of cover cropping. It's FREE to attend! We ask that you please register here: https://tinyurl.com/5n9xpfyk

Bring your questions and experiences, and we'll learn together! Light refreshment provided.

Build Better Soils Cover Crop Workshop
Date: THIS Thursday October 22nd
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Johnson County Historic Poor Farm
4811 Melrose Ave, Iowa City
Host: Iowa Valley RC&D
Workshop Facilitator: Mark Quee, Scattergood Farm Manager

Hope to see you there ! 👋

10/06/2026

Hats off to the unsung heroes of our food system - the farmers who pour their heart and soul into growing nutritious food for their communities! 🌱

James Nisly, the visionary behind Camp Creek Organic, has a passion for quality food and land stewardship. For decades, he's run his 40-acre organic farm in Kalona, Iowa, producing an array of veggies, microgreens, and more. His tireless efforts farming and operating a local food hub ensure fresh produce reaches Iowa communities 365 days a year!

A huge thank you to James for his generous donation of fresh eggs, cabbage, sweet potatoes, and herbs to Plated with Purpose on October 8 ! 🙏

10/01/2026

Let’s celebrate the local farmers powering 𝙋𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙋𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙚 !

We’re co-hosting a benefit dinner at the Webster on October 8 and we couldn't do it without Buffalo Ridge Orchard! This Central City family farm is donating fresh apples for our special menu and for the Great Apple Crunch that night. 🍏🍏🍏

"We're proud to be providing fresh apples for our local schools and communities, and we're thrilled to support Iowa Valley RC&D’s Farm to School work by donating our apples for October 8!”

Join us in thanking Buffalo Ridge Orchard for their amazing support! 🫶✨ You can find their produce at farmers markets, grocery stores, their CSA share offerings, and school cafeterias across Iowa.

And remember: it's LAST CALL for tickets - only a couple left! Get yours here: https://donorbox.org/events/962004

09/23/2026

Let's celebrate the local farmers and producers involved in supporting Plated with Purpose, the benefit dinner we are co-hosting at the Webster on October 8!! West Fork Farmstead raises pasture-based cows, pigs, eggs, and honey - and they are generously providing the pork for the evening's crown roasts.

About Plated with Purpose, WFF says: "We hope people get a chance to learn about how each of us can help strengthen our local food system and support getting more local food into our schools. For us, supporting schools and kids through local food means doing what we can do to increase access to nutrient-dense food - and hopefully, food they will enjoy, as local food is fresh and delicious!"

Secure your seat:
https://donorbox.org/events/962004

09/17/2026

Eat Well. Do good.

Join us at Plated with Purpose October 8 at the Webster for a dinner fundraiser celebrating Farm to School month. Proceeds from the evening benefit Iowa Valley RC&D’s Value Chain Development Initiative connecting local farms to food hubs, cafeterias, and institutions.

Your ticket includes a locally sourced, four course dinner with pairings included.

See you at the Webster!

09/10/2026

Plated with Purpose returns to the Webster! Join us in celebrating Farm to School month and enjoy a locally sourced, 4-course dinner with w**e pairings on October 8 @ 6 pm. You’ll be supporting Iowa Valley RC&D’s local food system initiative! 🍴🍷Secure your seat: https://donorbox.org/events/962004

08/28/2026

New to food farming or want to brush up on your food safety protocol? Feed Iowa First is hosting Emmaly from Iowa Valley RC&D for a hands-on refresher workshop to review food safety practices for your vegetable operation.

This workshop will focus on field, washing, packaging, and traceability exercises.

Training held at Feed Iowa First Wanatee Farm location: 6945 Lakeside Rd, Marion, IA 52302

Thanks to Iowa Farmers Union for financial support, there is no cost to attend but registration is appreciated.

07/30/2026

Bugs in your garden? Don’t panic…

We’ve got the experts who can help!

Join us for a FREE, hands-on pest management workshop with superstar guest Dan Fillius from Iowa State Extension.

📅 When: Saturday, August 8th
⏰ Workshop Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 Where: Johnson County Historic Poor Farm, 4811 Melrose Ave. in Iowa City

🔗 How to join: Spots are limited. Tap the link in our bio to register right now.

The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm is also hosting its Open House from 3:30 PM – 7:30 PM that same day. Arrive early to tour the beautiful grounds and enjoy a variety of family-friendly activities!

See you on the Farm! 👋🌱

07/17/2026

Whether you’ve been farming a vegetable acreage for years, or just started gardening in the backyard, you’ve no doubt come face to face with some bugs that can decimate your harvest. We are thrilled to have pest management superstar Dan Fillius from Iowa State Extension join us at Iowa Valley RC&D for a FREE hands-on workshop ‘One Step Ahead: Strategies for Organic Pest Management’ Saturday, August 8th, from 5-7 pm at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm.

Johnson County Historic Poor Farm is also hosting an OPEN HOUSE from 3:30-7:30 PM that day, so come early if you’d like to tour the grounds and take part in non-pest activities! All are welcome.