What the hay are cover crops? What’s the difference between produce that’s Certified Organic or organically grown? Scroll through to learn more about some common sustainable farming practices in Iowa. Want to learn more about your favorite farmers’ practices? Check out the producer page on our online storefront for more information about our […]
A beekeeper’s secret to a bountiful hive: tuning into nature’s seasonal cues. Paying close attention to things like solstice dates, bud bursts and even animal calls can help beekeepers not only produce more honey (yum!) but cultivate abundant bee populations. West Des Moines beekeeper Julia McGuire is on a mission to better understand phenology, the […]
At Trumpet Blossom Café in Iowa City, the menu changes seasonally, even daily, but it almost always features locally sourced ingredients. Chef and owner Katy Meyer is committed to taking care of the planet, serving high-quality food to her customers and participating in our region’s thriving local food system. Meyer has relationships with several local […]
Where does your food come from? Over a third of global greenhouse gas emissions come from food systems, according to the United Nations FAO. It’s almost impossible to create a truly carbon-neutral plate, but some options are less impactful than others. Food grown and consumed locally has the benefit of travelling far fewer miles […]
For Salt Fork Farms’ Eric Menzel, studying small-scale food production in graduate school wasn’t enough; he wanted in on the action. So in addition to getting his master’s in sustainable agriculture, he got himself some hens. “Chickens are kind of the easiest thing to start doing,” he said. “You don’t really need to know a […]
Invite local farmers into your classroom digitally! Each season, Field to Family prepares up to 3 local farmers to connect with classrooms in our area and share information about what’s happening on the farm. Contact [email protected] to arrange a digital visit. Browse our Farm to Classroom Resource Portal to learn more about bringing the farm […]
Resources for School Gardeners In place of in-person School Garden Workshop events in 2020 and 2021, Field to Family is creating digital resources and videos for school gardeners. View more farm to school resources at our Farm to Classroom Resource Portal. 3 Minutes Meg from Green Iowa AmeriCorps Sustainable Schools walks you through what her […]
Farmer Fair Presentations Go Virtual These videos bring some of our favorite Farmer Fair presentations online! Show them in your classroom, send to students for at-home viewing or use as inspiration for virtual collaborations with local farmers. 7 minutes Recommended for Upper Elementary Join Farmer Susan on a virtual tour of Lucky Star Farm in […]
Field to Family is hiring two seasonal support staff to support our operations during the 2021 growing season. Both positions are part-time, 20 hours/week at $15 hour. Click the descriptions below to learn more about duties & responsibilities, qualifications & requirements and competencies. To apply, send a cover letter, resume and 1-3 references to Director […]
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig toured Field to Family’s facility on Friday, Feb. 5 to discuss getting more food grown close to home on Iowans’ plates. Staff was thrilled to share the organization’s story, introduce local stakeholders and talk about what it takes to connect farmers and buyers on-the-ground. By managing purchase, aggregation, distribution […]