Food for Thought: Envisioning the Future of Family Farming & Food Policy in Iowa

To register for the 2013 IFU State Convention, click here.  Early registration rates apply through Friday, November 1.

To learn more about supporting the 2013 State Convention as a sponsor or exhibitor, visit the 2013 Convention Sponsor & Exhibitor page here. 

Full Schedule:

Beginning Farmer Policy Forum
Friday, November 15, 10:00AM-4:30PM
Hotel Fort Des Moines, 1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines

Beginning farmers and farm policy advocates should attend to learn, discuss and share ideas on how policy can be used to promote the success of Iowa's next generation of family farmers.  The day will feature a series of interactive workshops on policy topics impacting beginning farmers and ranchers:

• Federal Programs for Beginning Farmers, featuring John Whitaker, State Executive Director of the USDA Farm Service Agency and Bill Menner, Iowa Director of USDA Rural Development (invited)
• Improving Farmland Access & Affordability in Iowa, featuring John Baker & David Baker, ISU Extension Beginning Farmer Center
• Noon meal, featuring a locally-sourced menu
• Risk Management Considerations for Beginning Farmers, featuring Vallery Eisenmann, Iowa Territory Manager for Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
• Iowa Food Safety Regulation & the Food Safety Modernization Act, featuring Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union
• Regulatory & Social Policy Considerations in Marketing Local Foods, featuring Matt Russell, Drake Agricultural Law Center
• Closing Discussion: Creating a Policy Agenda for Iowa's Beginning Farmers

Cocktails, Farmers & Friends
Friday, November 15, 5:30PM-7:30PM
Raccoon River Brewing Company, 200 10th Street, Des Moines

This reception and fundraiser hosted by the IFU Education Foundation, featuring NFU President Roger Johnson, is a great opportunity to get together with Farmers Union members and farm and food advocates for an evening of food, drinks and conversation.  All donations received will support the IFU Education Foundation's 2014 youth and adult education programs.  RSVP to IFU Managing Director Jana Linderman,jlinderman@iowafarmersunion.org, 319-651-2250.

IFU Annual Member Meeting & Policy Forum
Saturday, November 16, 8:00AM-5:00PM
Hotel Fort Des Moines, 1000 Walnut Street, Des Moines

The second day of the the 2013 IFU State Convention will feature the annual member meeting, including:

• Review of amendments to IFU bylaws
• Remarks from IFU President Whitney Davis
• Remarks from NFU President Roger Johnson
• Elections for IFU President, open seats on the IFU Board of Directors and delegate to the 2014 NFU Convention in Santa Fe

Saturday will also feature the annual policy discussion and educational workshops, including:

• Discussion and approval of 2014 IFU legislative policy & policy priorities
• Risk Management Considerations for Direct Market Farms, featuring Vallery Eisenmann, Iowa Territory Manager for Hastings Mutual Insurance Company
• Implementing Iowa's Nutrient Management Strategy, featuring Bill Stowe, Director of Des Moines Waterworks and Ralph Rosenberg, Executive Director of the Iowa Environmental Council
• Keynote address by Roger Noonan, President of the New England Farmers Union