Recent Events
8th Annual Public Forum, "Farm to Institution Purchasing: How Do We Increase Sales?"
Community members, elected officials, farmers, and representatives from local institutions gathered online at this year's forum to explore how farm to institution sales can lead to a more resilient, equitable, and community-based food system. A panel of guest speakers discussed topics such as the role of food hubs, how policies can increase farm to institution sales, how disruptions impact local food procurement, and how to build relationships between producers and purchasers.
Panelists included:
- James Nisly, Local Producer & Food Hub Manager
- Marlie Wilson, Chicago Food Policy Action Council
- Michael Graham, University of Iowa Dining
- Teresa Wiemerslage, ISU Extension & Outreach
View the recording to learn more.
About the Council
The purpose of the Council is to improve dialogue and discussion and provide advice on food and agriculture issues to the county, municipalities, community boards, local agencies, nongovernmental organizations, businesses, and other interested groups. The Council will address food system issues in the county, including the development of the Council’s Governing Principles and strategic goals, data-gathering, research projects, and policies to address food system issues.
Annual Report
Strategic Plan
2021-2023 JCFPC Strategic Plan
Recommendations
Summary of JCFPC Accomplishments and Partnerships
2019 JCFPC Unified Development Ordinance Recommendations
2018 JCFPC Comprehensive Plan Recommendations
2018 JCFPC Agritourism Recommendations
2017 JCFPC Policy Recommendations
2016 JCFPC Policy Recommendations
2015 JCFPC Policy Recommendations
2014 JCFPC Policy Recommendations
2013 JCFPC Policy Recommendations
Public Forum Reports
2018 "Farm, Food, and Fun: Agritourism in Johnson County"
2016 “Alliances: Rediscovering our Food System”
2015 "Past, Present, and Future: Local Foods at the County Farm"
Videos
2021 Virtual Food Policy Council Forum, ‘Building a New Table: Food and Farm Stories’
Welcome from Supervisor Pat Heiden and introduction from Keshia Fields, Inclusion and Equity Specialist. Hear stories about food appropriation, access to culturally relevant food, and the power of building relationships from guest speakers Hải Huỳnh, Coralville City Council member and Community Projects Coordinator at Coralville Community Food Pantry, and El Sadig and Barbiker from Black Diamond Halal Meats with supporter Ed Williams.
2020 Food Policy Council Forum, ‘Land Access and Beyond: How can the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm support beginning and current farmers?’
Welcome from Supervisor Pat Heiden and introduction from V Fixmer-Oraiz, Project Manager for the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and CEO and Founder of Astig Planning. Hear stories about land access and community resources from a regional farmer panel. Panelists include: Dayna Burtness, Nettle Valley Farm; Zach Couture, Global Greens LSI; Alfred Matiyabo, Africando Products; Derek Roller, Echollective Farm.
2019 Food Policy Council Forum, ‘Farm Connection: Farmers, the Community, and You’
Welcome from Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass and Remembrance for Kurt Friese. Michelle Kenyon, Director of Field to Family, presents a keynote address about building connections in our community food system.
2019 Food Policy Council Forum, ‘Meet your Meats Panel’
A panel of local meat producers discuss their operations, their products, and challenges and opportunities for the future. Moderated by Kristy Walker, Food Policy Council Chair. Panelists include: Dennis and Lisa Hebl, David Irkl, and Nick and Jenny Koster, Turkey Foot Farm.
2019 Food Policy Council Forum, ‘Specialty Crop Producer Panel’
A panel of specialty crop producers discuss their local farm products and current challenges facing direct to consumer farmers. Moderated by Morgan Weiss, Food Policy Council member. Panelists include: Carmen Black, Sundog Farm & Local Harvest CSA; Kyle Tester, Wilson’s Orchard; Colleen Bringman, Bringman Family Farms; Katie Biesendorf, Farm Worker at Muddy Miss Farms and Dirty Face Creek Farm.
Past Events
2022 Local Foods Roundtable: Transforming the Food System Through Storytelling
The 2022 Local Foods Roundtable was a space for community members to connect and consider how stories and narratives influence thoughts, actions, and policies related to the food system. In small groups, attendees shared stories, explored existing food narratives, and discussed how our community can reshape narratives to better reflect our collective vision for the food system.
Local Foods Storage and Processing Roundtable
The Johnson County Food Policy Council hosted a roundtable discussion with local foods stakeholders to explore local foods storage and processing needs. The group discussed how shared food storage and processing spaces could address current challenges and how the community can draw upon existing resources and networks to meet needs.
Learn more about the roundtable here.
Council Information
Resolution Establishing the Council
Organizational Guidelines