Local Foods

Discover history, local food and nature at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm Open House from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2024, at the Historic Poor Farm, 4811 Melrose Avenue, Iowa City. This free event is open to all ages and will showcase the site’s offerings and the upcoming launch of event rentals.  

The event will feature historic and natural area tours and panels with partner organizations Global Food Project and the Historic Poor Farm Disability Advisory Committee. Attendees can also enjoy food trucks and a local vegetable harvest with GROW: Johnson County. 

The Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and Asylum District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places since September 2014, is one of the few remaining relatively intact examples of the county farm model established in the 19th century. In 2016, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors began a master planning process to provide a 10-year vision for the Poor Farm to preserve the farm’s history, educate the public, offer recreation areas and train beginning farmers.  

More information about the Historic Poor Farm is available at www.jchistoricpoorfarm.com

Johnson County strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully. If you are a person who requires a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, contact Julie Watkins at 319-356-6000, ext. 8012 or [email protected] by 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.