UNI Local Food Program staff and Nourish Iowa AmeriCorps VISTA members from across the state gathered at Waukee High School June 15-17th for the Community Food Systems and Farm to School Early Care Conference.
This conference was a unique opportunity to celebrate and engage with food systems practitioners, farm to school coordinators, and early care providers. We learned about the amazing work happening throughout Iowa communities!
We had the opportunity to network and hear from others across the state as well as local organizations including Tri-County Child and Family Development, Black Hawk County Public Health, and a local childcare provider, Angie Dobbs.
Tri-County Child and Family Development was the winner of a 2023 Golden Root Award. They won 2023 Early Care Center of the Year. Lyz Schmitz, CFO and Tracey Sauke, RD, LD were at the Local Foods Reception to accept the award. They also presented at the conference with Angie Dobbs. Tri-County has been expanding their farm to ECE program for years! They developed take-home farm to ECE resources for at-home gardening and family learning during COVID. With a strong commitment to local procurement, they have developed dependable partnerships with local producers. For hands on learning and eating, they built indoor carts for year-round gardening and celebrations of local food!
The Golden Root Award is a celebration of Iowa schools, early care and education providers, and residential child care institutes working to grow and share their love of local food and community.
It was a busy three days! Here was our schedule.
The conference was hosted by The Iowa State University Extension & Outreach Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development team.
