Senator Tom Harkin to Address Local
Foods Conference


By Matt Russell

Iowans Gather to Shape Future of Food in Iowa

Farmers, consumers, educators, public health professionals, and students will join policy makers in a discussion about the future of Iowa food and farming.  Iowa Network for Community Agriculture (INCA) will host the 12th annual local food conference at Marshalltown Community College this Saturday February 3. "Breaking New Ground: The Future of Food and Farming" will begin with a dialogue session exploring how local foods can provide solutions for childhood health and nutrition, for rural development, for food security, for all Iowa

Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey will participate in the morning dialogue speaking and answering questions at 10:00  AM.  Brother David Andrews, Executive Director of the National  Catholic Rural Life Council will facilitate the dialogue.  Senator Tom Harkin, Chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, will speak and answer questions during the noon

"The news has been filled with stories of food, food miles, organic agriculture, and local food.  Iowans are coming together to make these trends powerful forces for our health, for our communities, for our farms, and for our tables," said Matt Russell, Iowa Network for Community Agriculture board chair.  "This conference is a celebration of the good work being done all around the state."

Participants will bring food to share and INCA will provide service and beverage. This potluck lunch is a tradition of the local food conference and will showcase some of the best food Iowa has to offer.

Language translation headsets will be available to allow English and Spanish speakers alike to share in the conference compliments of the Raices Project, an initiative of the Northwest Area Foundation.

For more information go to the INCA website at www.growinca.org or contact Matt Russell: 515-689-8219.  INCA has secured sponsorships for any college or high school student to attend free of charge.

The conference will be held at Dejarden Hall at Marshalltown Community College from 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM, Saturday February 3.

Matt Russell
1841 20th PL
Lacona, IA 50139

641-947-4052 Cell: 515-689-8219
mattrussell@iowatelecom.net

farms regardless of size. lunch.  Dan Looker of Successful Farming Magazine will end the day with the closing keynote.