The first-ever Community Food Systems + Farm to School and Early Care Conference will be held June 15–17 in Waukee.

Fresh, locally sourced foods could become more widely available to Iowans thanks to a unique partnership between Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Community and Economic Development (CED

Local and regional food systems have grown in popularity over the past decade as shown by the increasing supply of and demand for local foods.

Many children in Iowa are enjoying access to and learning about local foods through their schools or childcare facilities because of the efforts of dedicated groups of people who make up the Iowa Farm to School and Early Care (F2SEC) Coalition.

Iowans interested in beginning or improving their agritourism business will have the opportunity to learn directly from leading agritourism operators and experts during two special Agritourism Entrepreneurship Business Education Tours.

Five communities—Decorah, Elkader, Eldora, Fairfield, and Shellsburg—received funding this year from the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) to participate in the Rural Housing Readiness Assessment (RHRA) program.

To better support its clients’ needs in terms of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), CED has added a new program that will provide education and coaching to its customers in the area of cultural competency. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development and the Iowa Economic Development Authority will be hosting the second annual Rural Housing Readiness Assessment Conference on April 10, 2023, at the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center in Ames.

The ISU Extension and Outreach Community and Economic Development Data and Technology Team recently redesigned the Iowa Retail Trade Analysis reports for cities and counties and migrated them to the Extension and Outreach Indicators Program data portal. 

Every Iowa community has a unique culture, and every culture has exceptional stories. Communities can bring those stories to life—if they have the training and tools to do it well. Tour guides and volunteers will have the opportunity to hone their skills at the 2023 statewide Guide Training Workshop.