Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette,

Howard & Winneshiek Counties

Teresa WiemerslageIowa State University Extension

Map of tributaries and water resources

The Problem:Producers observed a disconnect between downtown businesses and the ag community.

“Why don’t we grow our own food in the American Heartland?”

Why Local Food Fits

Above Average…7417 Farms; County Average = 1236

Source: 2007 Ag Census

County FarmsAcres in farming

Average Farm Size

Allamakee 1032 71% 266Chickasaw 1037 90% 279Clayton 1655 79% 247Fayette 1398 85% 298Howard 877 89% 318Winneshiek 1418 85% 221State Avg 938 92% 331

Total Ag Sales = $1.25 billion59% of farm income is from livestock

Source: 2007 Ag Census

CountyCrop Sales (million)

Livestock Sales (million)

Allamakee $35.5 26% $97.2 74%Chickasaw $98.6 44% $127.6 56%Clayton $86.8 38% $143.2 62%Fayette $134.4 47% $151.9 53%Howard $91.8 53% $82.6 47%Winneshiek $71.4 36% $128.3 64%State Avg $10.3 B 51% $10.1 B 49%

•Sold $1.3 M of food directly to consumers.•2nd Allamakee: $329,000•7th Winneshiek: $282,000•29 apple orchards•47 vegetable farms

•Source: 2007 Ag Census

•$3.5 million in organic sales•10% of the certified organic farms in Iowa•26% of the total organic sales for the state

State Ranking: Organic Sales•1st Winneshiek•2nd Allamakee•6th Howard•8th Clayton

•Source: 2002 Ag Census

County Food at home

(million $)

Food away from home (million $)

Total (million $)

Allamakee 19 14 33Clayton 24 19 43Fayette 28 22 50Howard 13 10 23Winneshiek 25 19 44Total 109 (56%) 84 (44%) 193

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Dollars Spent on Food each YearTotal Income = $1.29 Billion

• Currently in NE Iowa, less than 1% of food is locally purchased.

• Shifting 25% of food spending to local sources would stimulate the local economy with 48 million dollars.

• By purchasing 25% of fruits and vegetables locally, it would create 204 jobs and $10.8 million in labor income and $91 million in total economic activity in the region.

Local food systems have local benefits

The Impact

1. Creation of a learning community

1. Creation of a learning community

•Organization•Over 100 members on listserve•Monthly meetings in Decorah•Member, partner driven•Coordinated by ISU Extension•Additional assistance from grant staff, partners, Americorp•Current grants: FFI, Leopold Center, IDALS, Community Vitality Center

1. Creation of a learning community

•Geographic Based•Function based (diversify)•Help producers diversify•Explore regional processing, storage•Increase consumption

•FFI brings broader focus

2. Developed a strategic plan

NE Iowa Food & Farm

Coalition

Active Living Work Group

Regional Youth Work

Group

Regional School Work

Group

3. Facilitated institutional purchases of local foods• Local Food Breakfasts• Clarified policy of use of local foods• Farm to School• Local food directory and website• Producer workshops

4. Expanded the growing season

• Plantpeddler• Greenhouse tours• Certified kitchen• Investigating storage and processing

5. Engaging schools

• Comprehensive Farm to School• School gardens• Food service education• Teacher education• Cross-age teaching• Home Grown School

Lunch Week

6. Increased commitment to buying local

• Luther College – 35% by 2012• Sodexho discussions• Food safety education for producers

6. Increased commitment to buying local

Local food sales

Total sales

2007 52,620.00 52,620.002008 Previous 54,919.00

$67,719.00New 12,800.002009 Previous 149,605.77

$638,600.46New 488,944.69

Table 1. Sales of locally grown foods by producers in August 2008- June 09.

6. Increased commitment to buying local

Increased purchases by institutions from local producers in 2008-09.

Local food purchases

Total purchases

2007 $94,021.00 $94,021.00

2008 Previous $313,169.67$320,669.67New $19,244.00

2009 Previous $507,207.31$544,659.53New $37,452.22

7. Leverage funding and expertise

• Producer mini-grants

Year # Grants Mini-Grant Amt

$ Leveraged

2010 ? $12,000.00 ?

2009 12 3,262.50 49,792.00

2008 20 5,995.00 108,242.23

2007 14 2,940.00 134,723.60

7. Leverage funding and expertise

• Leopold Center & partners• WK Kellogg Foundation• Iowa Department of Agriculture• Community Vitality Center• Iowa Farm Bureau• Iowa Women in Agriculture• NE IA Business Network

Since 2006:$65,190

$500,000

Mini Grant match

Total = $969,583(Oct 2009)

POLICIES:• State fruit and vegetable policy for institutions• Iowa Cattlemen's Association adopt new policy to

support local markets• Working with schools on procurement of local foods

Policy & System Change Will Drive Our Work

Investing in the future of Allamakee, Chickasaw, Clayton, Fayette,

Howard & Winneshiek Counties

www.iowafoodandfitness.orgwww.iowafreshfood.com