Iowa Valley RC&D

Iowa Valley RC D (IVRCD) Proposes to Strengthen Farmer Business Stability and Expand Market Access With the Fresh Connect Csa Voucher Program and Farmer Business Coaching Program. Csa Employer Voucher Programs in Other States Have Reduced Barriers for Consumers to Support Farms and Also Have Resulted in an Increase of Fruit and Vegetable Servings, Increase in Meal Preparation at Home and Additional Local Food Purchases Outside of the Csa. Project Partners Propose to Implement a 2-YEAR Pilot Csa Voucher Program With 200 University of Iowa Employees and 8 Csa Farms to Measure the Impact on Stabilizing and Growing the Csa Market for Farms and Providing New Markets for Beginning Farmers. Ivrcd Will Research and Interview Two Existing Csa Voucher Programs and Publish a Case Study Report and Business Plan for the Voucher Program. the Business Coaching Program Will Expand Beginning and Underserved Farmers Knowledge of Their Farms Financial and Marketing Skills Through the 6-MONTH Program. the Program Will Use One-on-one Coaching Sessions to Help 18 Direct Market Farms Improve Their Business Management Skills and Implement a Marketing and Branding Package Through Direct Financial Assistance Stipends. the Coaching Program Will Improve Each Farms Direct Marketing Skills Through Either Farmers Markets, Csas, Farm Stands and More.