FFED Staff Can Support Your Food Systems Work on COVID-19 Response and More

FFED Staff Can Support Your Food Systems Work on COVID-19 Response and More

Fill out the form below to request assistance
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The ISU Extension and Outreach Farm, Food, and Enterprise Development (FFED) Food Systems Team wants to support local and regional food systems through technical assistance. Institutions and organizations—including farmers, food businesses, cities, schools, state agencies, and nonprofits—are encouraged to share needs for food systems engagement in regards to COVID-19 responses and other on-going efforts.

​Support areas could include community food systems support and facilitation, farm to school procurement strategies and student education, or particular farm and food business technical assistance regarding design or strategic planning. 
 
Please complete this short online form to share your technical assistance needs and be connected with staff who can provide assistance on a variety of projects. 

COVID-19 response projects will be prioritized at this time. Based on the scope of the project proposal, free consultations may be available while more in-depth and long-term projects may involve the development of a fee for service agreement. 

Support can range from quick, one-time consultations to intermediate and long-term support. Examples include: 

• Connecting with Iowa food system networks and specialists
• Strategizing, brainstorming, and problem-solving
• Food system-based research and assessments, including data interpretation and evaluation
• Technical assistance for community food systems projects, including conceptual design development, project management, etc. 
• Supporting coalition development, which may include facilitation support, developing or refocusing a coalition
• Creating a design or community outreach plan for a school or community garden
• Direct-to-consumer or mid-tier market development support including: sourcing and purchasing local food into a meal program at a school or early care site, or supporting a farmer to find new opportunities for direct marketing
• Understanding impacts and identifying local and national best practices for food systems

Please let us know how we can best support you during these challenging times. Questions? Contact program coordinator Chelsea Krist, cekrist@iastate.edu.