AMES, Iowa — Iowa farmers, food systems advocates and business owners can count on the resources of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach as they have in the past – now under a new program name: Farm, Food and Enterprise Development.
FFED staff come from a merger of the former Local Foods and Value Added Agriculture programs, as well as from the current Community and Economic Development program. The team of 20 will provide resources and technical assistance to communities and extension staff statewide on topics including:
- small farm profitability,
- agritourism,
- community food systems planning and development,
- farm to school and farm to early childhood education,
- business feasibility and financing, and more.
“Focusing on small farms, food systems and enterprise development will allow us to develop stronger educational programs and collaborative partnerships,” said Craig Chase, Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program manager with ISU Extension and Outreach.
The program is divided into three areas, which will be led by Christa Hartsook (small farms), Courtney Long (food systems) and Brian Tapp (enterprise development).
For more information on the new program’s mission and programs, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/ffed or contact them at contactFFED@iastate.edu, 515-294-3086.
— Craig Chase and Leigh Adcock, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
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