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

Pathfinders RC&D Monthly Board Meeting
Wednesday, February 22
6:00 p.m.
Pathfinders RC&D Office, 304 South Maple, Fairfield
Cultivating Opportunities: A Look at Local Food Issues in our Changing World
Saturday, March 3
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Advanced Technology Center
Indian Hills Community College, Ottumwa
$25 before February 26
$35 after February 26 or at the door
Registration includes locally grown lunch

Southeast Iowa is filled with opportunities!  Find out what's happening in local food production and explore where we go from here.

For more information, contact Tish Reck at (641) 683-5170 or Tish.Reck@indianhills.edu. 
Register online

Getting Yourself on Google Maps
Tuesday, March 6
9:30 a.m - Noon*
Honey Creek Resort, Moravia

FREE for Historic Hills Byway communities/attractions or CITR Members 
$10 regisration for all others

*Optional Post-workshop Tourism Exchange
Noon - 1:30 p.m., $10 for lunch if attending

This is a comprehensive training on how to get your business or point of interest plotted on Google Maps and how to create functional and user-friendly event maps.  Funded in part through Central Iowa Tourism Region.

For more information contat Katy at Pathfinders at 641-472-6177 or email katy@pathfindersrcd.org

NEW! Grant Received for Mormon Trail Development

Pathfinders recevied $86,000 in Statewide Transportation Enhancement grant funds to identify nationally significant historical resources on the Iowa Mormon Wagon Trails and Iowa Mormon Handcart Trail.  

The project will include a cultural and natural resource inventory and land acquisition study.   The project will also result in preservation and interpretive plans.  This project is being completed as part of  Iowa scenic byway development

While grants funds have been committed, Pathfinders is still securing necessary cash match. The project is expected to start in fall 2012.  

For more information call 641-472-6177 or email Byway Coordinator Katy Anderson at katy@pathfindersrcd.org.