Imagine a food system with a vibrant ecosystem of farms, businesses, the natural environment, and thriving urban and rural communities.

Farmer Development

Value Chain Development

Founded in 1998, Iowa Valley RC&D’s influence is grounded in community, partnerships, and collaboration as we train and support farmers, build local food infrastructure, generate new innovative markets, improve access of locally grown foods, and model and communicate the positive impact of a future food system that nourishes people and place.
The Farmer Development Initiative provides education and technical support to beginning and experienced farmers in Iowa with the goal of increasing farm business viability and resilience. This initiative supports 75 farmers per year through on-farm demonstration, paid apprenticeships, fellowship programs, land and equipment access, and workshops.
The Value Chain Development Initiative works to connect the dots between producers and consumers of local food in Iowa; from the farm gate to the consumer’s plate. We work with partners across the state to lead advocacy and facilitate partnerships, design sustainable systems through market matchmaking and technical assistance.
A thriving food value chain in Iowa is one where everyone has access to the local food they want and farmers get a fair price so they can keep feeding our communities. The LFPA is one of the projects driving this local food value chain initiative.

Meet the Team

Jason Grimm

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Giselle Bruskewitz

SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Julia DeSpain

CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Kaci Ginn

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR
Emmaly Renshaw

SENIOR PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Lisa Stark

EDUCATION AND OUTREACH COORDINATOR
Teresa Kurtz

GRANTS AND FINANCE MANAGER
Sophie Churchill

PROGRAM MANAGER
Phil Jahnke Sauer

VALUE CHAINS MANAGER
Kenna Bell

BUSINESS EDUCATION MANAGER
Sarah Nelson

FARM COORDINATOR

Our Programs

What Was Said About Our Programs:

"[The LFPA] is getting food that people want to the people who need it without shortchanging the farmer. We need more programs like this! It is too much to ask farmers of any kind to grow, clean, market, sell, navigate bureaucracy and it is WAY too much to ask that of newly arrived immigrants in the area. Why wouldn’t we just have a system where people who want to grow food are able to get to the people who need it?"

Will Kapp, Global Food Project
" The Iowa Local Food for Schools program made it possible for the kids at this local school district to eat food grown nearby by people who are invested in their community. "

Emily Roberts, Field to Family
"Representation matters and the idea of me being able to show other women, other younger girls, especially young black girls, how versatile and beautiful farming is has become a pivotal point in my agricultural journey. I definitely gained a lot of confidence during my experience as a Grow Apprentice"

Amiya Jones, 2022 Grow Apprentice
"I received non-judgmental support from Iowa Valley RC&D while creating a Food Safety Plan, they're folks who know food safety in and out!”

Corbin Scholz, Rainbow Roots Farm
"We were able to purchase heavy duty double-sided ground cover from Nolt’s Farm Supply to use for our cabbage production, drip tape for irrigation, and a truckload of organic compost from Dubuque Mulch Company to help restore and replenish the soil in our cabbage field. The stipend from Iowa Valley RC&D will help us plant more no-till cabbage and other vegetables in the years to come.”

Adrian White, Jupiter Ridge Farm
"From a producer standpoint, the LFPA gives a high market value. We signed up a half a dozen or more new producers this year in our area being able to use that as a selling point because they know where their food's going and they're getting paid [a fair price for it]."

Shad Swanson, Life 5B