Senator Tom Harkin to Address Local Foods Conference
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 farms regardless of size.

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

"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.



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>Matt Russell
>1841 20th PL
>Lacona, IA 50139
>641-947-4052 Cell: 515-689-8219
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Iowa Farmers Union
PO Box 8988
528 Billy Sunday Rd
Ames, IA  50014
800-775-5227
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www.iafu.org