Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development

Local Food System Development

Pathfinders has been instrumental in helping build the local food system in its service area since 2005.

Pathfinders helped the development of Hometown Harvest of SE Iowa local food initiative.

Through support from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, Hometown Harvest has developed a network of local food producers and local food champions to complete capacity building activities in the region. Activities include training and workshops for producers and investigating the feasibility of forming a producer coop and food processing facilities.

Pathfinders also helps manage the local Buy Fresh Buy Local (BFBL) chapter. BFBL is designed to expand the market for locally produced goods by assisting producers with expanding their market and educating consumers about the benefits of buying locally. Pathfinders provides organizational and office assistance to the program including management of campaign members, publicity, special events and development of their Local Food Guide.

Two years ago, Pathfinders received a grant from the Wellmark Foundation to start six Farm to School programs in the region.

Jan Swinton serves at Pathfinders fulltime local food coordinator on staff to oversee all project activities.

 
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NEWS & EVENTS

May 2012 E-News
NEW! Conservation Funding Workshops for Agricultural Producers
Tuesday, June 5 - Camp Mitigwa (Boone)
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Free of charge, lunch provided
Learn more
Pathfinders RC&D Board Meeting
Thursday, July 26
6:00 p.m.
Fairfield, Iowa

Board meetings generally held bi-monthly on 4th Thursday.

The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development Councils Announces Award to Pathfinders RC&D Council

The National Association of Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Councils is pleased to announce that Pathfinders RC&D Council of Fairfield, Iowa has been reauthorized as a member of the national RC&D Circle of Diamonds.

As a standing member of the Circle of Diamonds, Pathfinders RC&D Council has already demonstrated its positive impact on the quality of life within its local area and its accountability to the community it serves through its organizational structure, the processes it uses, and the outcomes it attains.

In earning reauthorization of its Circle of Diamonds membership, the RC&D Council promises to continue to maintain the specific benchmarks set forth in the program guidelines. This mark of excellence shows its honesty, integrity, and strong commitment to the RC&D mission.