Tommy Hexter, middle, executive director of Grinnell Farm to Table, is joined by 2023 summer interns Tristan Davis, left, and Julianna Vajda, right, at the businesses located at 1032 Main St. in Grinnell. Grinnell Farm to Table is an on-line marketplace were area residents can purchase locally raised fresh, healthy foods once a month. The business serves about 80 customers a month and with the help of the USDA, provided $95,000 in locally grown foods to food pantries in Grinnell, Brooklyn, Malcom and Montezuma. Furnished photo. By J.O. Parker
Grinnell Farm to Table is an on-line marketplace were area residents can purchase locally raised fresh, healthy foods once a month. The non-profit business currently has 36 mostly local farmer producers who offer everything from fresh vegetables to all kinds of meat including beef, pork, bison, goat, lamb, poultry, grains, dairy, eggs, honey, jams, salsa, popcorn, berries, herbs and spices, fruits, various types of flour, nuts, breads, cakes and more. There are also bath and body products, goat milk soap, fresh tofu, cheese, garlic, live plants, flower bouquets and home and garden supplies. The majority of the food products sold at the business are raised, prepared and packaged within 25 miles of Grinnell. The business is under the direction of executive director Tommy Hexter and a 12-member board. According to Hexter, the farmer producers and market managers who participate in the Grinnell Farm to Table outreach believe that local food is good for the land, for farm animals, for the environment and biodiversity, for the local economy and for the health and well-being of all the customers. The Grinnell Farm to Market was originally founded in 2011 as an LLC (limited liability corporation) by Grinnell College students. “The idea was to collectively purchase food from local farmers (and offer to the students and community),” said Hexter. The business has gone through a handful of changes in ownership with Hexter being the fourth person to take over the business in September 2020. In 2020, the business had 14 farmer producers and generated $20,000 in sales. In 2023, the business generated $60,000 in sales from 36 farmer producers. Currently, the business is serving 80 families a month. In addition, with the help from a USDA Grant called the Local Food Purchasing Assistance program, Grinnell Farm to Table was able to donate $95,000 worth of free food in 2023 to food pantries in Grinnell, Brooklyn, Montezuma and Malcom. “We pay the farmers for all the food we sell and give away,” said Hexter. In January 2023, Grinnell Farm to Table merged with the Local Food Connection, an organization founded in 1999, and the two entities now operate as a non-profit business. Local Foods Connection used donations to purchase weekly produce boxes called CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) shares from local farmers and delivered them directly to families with limited financial means in Iowa. “They provided food and recipes to the families to help them prepare delicious and nutritious meals with local produce,” noted Hexter. Hexter said the benefit of being a non-profit allows the business to receive more support from community foundations like the GreenState Foundation and United Way of Grinnell, and also to receive government grants from the USDA to allow the business to purchase food from local farmers to donate to schools and pantries. In June 2023, the business moved into a building at 1032 Main St., just north of McNally’s Foods. Prior to that, the business operated through the Drake Community Library with a local pickup location. Hexter said the idea is to provide customers with locally grown foods in one location without them having to drive to each farm. “The goal is giving access to good Iowa-grown food to everybody,” said Hexter. Hexter is a native of Crozet, Virg., a small community near Charlottesville. He grew up wanting to be a farmer. After visiting the ‘Field of Dreams’ site in Dyersville at age 12, Hexter said he fell in love with Iowa. He followed in the footsteps of his mother and attended Grinnell College, graduating in 2021 with a degree in food systems. He was a junior at Grinnell College when he purchased the Farm to Table business. When asked about his future plans, Hexter said he would like to expand the business hours and to offer food items for walk-in customers. In addition to serving as executive director of Grinnell Farm to Table, Hexter works with the Iowa Farmers Union as a Rural Organizer for farmers’ issues. Hexter said there is no fee to become a member, and no requirement to buy. “Just check out our local food offerings each month and order what you want, when you want,” said Hexter. “If you want a small quantity of something – one pound of corn meal, say, or one bag of greens – that’s all you order.” He said the business is part of a larger movement of Iowans growing food for their families and neighbors. “When you see a family start to make a living by growing their own food it gives us hope in the future of small town Iowa,” said Hexter. “It’s small farms making a difference.” Visit grinnellfarmtotable.locallygrown.net to create an account and start ordering foods. Tylor Nelson, right, the newly hired Poweshiek County Conservation Director, is joined by Mark Vavroch, left, the outgoing director and Amy Andrews, middle, the county naturalist, at a retirement event for Vavroch at the Foster Center on Dec. 12, 2023. Nelson took the reins as the county conservation director on Oct. 23, 2023. Vavroch first joined the county in 1987, taking over as director in 1990. He retired on Oct. 13, 2023. By J.O. Parker
Tylor Nelson, the new Poweshiek County Conservation Director, isn’t letting any grass grow under his feet since taking the reins of the organization late last year. Nelson began his duties as conservation director on Oct. 23, 2023, taking over from March Vavroch, who had been with Poweshiek County Conservation since 1987 and became director in 1990. A native of Ankeny, Nelson attended Hawkeye Community College and Upper Iowa University, graduating in 2014 with a degree in Conservation Management and Natural Resources. Nelson said from a young age, he learned the value of preserving our natural resources from wildlife to trees, water and soil. His interest in natural resources led him on his current career path. Nelson and staff oversee Diamond Lake Park, which encompasses 660 acres of land and features a 90-acre lake, a fish cleaning station, hiking trails, a playground, four shelter houses, paved bike trails, 100 plus electrical and tent campsites with grills, three shower houses, three restrooms and two dump stations. The park also has several miles of grass trails around the main lake and the 7-acre pond east of Diamond Lake. Diamond Lake is also the water source for the City of Montezuma. In addition, the county conservation board oversees 10 preserves and wildlife areas encompassing an additional 1,800 acres. Prior to coming to Poweshiek County, Nelson was the Natural Resource Manager for Guthrie County. He said opportunity and location led him to apply for the position. Joining Nelson in the conservation department is Cole Rozendaal, natural resources technician; Daniel Schreur, park technician and Amy Andrews, naturalist. The county conversation is under the direction of a board of directors. Currently, Nelson and staff are planning for wetland restoration at two locations north of Diamond Lake. Plans are in the winter of 2024, to drain and dig out the two wetlands that fed into Diamond Lake. “We also plan to install a pond on new land acquisition north of the Stagecoach Trail,” said Nelson. Nelson said his goal since coming to Montezuma is learning about the community and appreciating the area more each day. “This is a big project,” he said of the wetland restoration project. “People have asked me about my plans and I tell them it’s all about habitat and making quality improvements.” For more information on activities and events at Diamond Lake and the area preserves and wildlife areas, visit http://poweshiekcounty.org/conservation/events/ or contact Andrews at 319-213-5607 or aandrews@poweshiekcounty.org. Nelson can be reached at 641-623-5607 or at tnelson@poweshiekcounty.org. The new Poweshiek County Veterans Affairs Executive Director Chris Nolte, left, is shown with outgoing executive director Russ Schuck. Schuck is retiring on March 31 after 8 years of service to the county veteran’s organization with Nolte taking the helm on April 1. Poweshiek County Veterans Affairs Commission Chair Uwe Meyer announced that Russ Schuck has announced his retirement from the position as Executive Director as of March 31. Schuck has held the position for 8 years.
“We have been very fortunate to have had Russ’s service over the past 8 years,” noted Meyer. “He has done an excellent job helping Poweshiek County Veterans receive benefits that they deserve. He has been an excellent director and a true advocate for our veterans.” Meyer also announced the naming of a returning Poweshiek County resident to assume the position of Executive Director. Chris Nolte, who served the Grinnell Area Chamber of Commerce as Executive Director, and Grinnell Regional Medical Center as Director of Public Relations and Development has accepted the appointment. Nolte and his wife, Jean, recently retired to Grinnell after an absence of almost 22 years. Following their departure, Nolte served as Chamber and Development Corporation Director first in Storm Lake and then Winterset. In Winterset he also served for 12 years as Director of Public Relations and Development for Madison County Healthcare System. He also worked as Volunteer Coordinator for Everystep Hospice for Madison, Adair and Clarke Counties. “The Commission felt the timing of Nolte’s return to the area was a tremendous stroke of luck. Chris brings many years of experience in outreach and helping people,” said Meyer. “He also has experience working with the federal government and has a feel for the challenges that often accompany that task.” Nolte is a Vietnam era veteran of the U.S. Air Force and will officially begin his duties on April 1. EVERYONE! After several months of development working with a dozen volunteers, and tapping the mind of Scott Droessler and his Community of Artists and Veterans in Cedar Rapids, we're almost ready to open our Art & Music Therapy Solace program on the third floor of the Grinnell Masonic Lodge, 928 Main St. An open house is slated for Friday, March 29 from 6 - 8 p.m.
All wrestling fans and the general public are invited to join the BGM wrestling program in celebrating a remarkable milestone in the team's history - the 50th anniversary of the BGM Wrestling Team! Over the past five decades, the BGM wrestling program has seen countless dedicated athletes, passionate coaches, and unwavering supporters come together to create a legacy of excellence in the sport of wrestling. This event promises to be a memorable gathering where past and present wrestlers, coaches and supporters can reconnect, reminisce, and honor the rich tradition that they helped build.
The 50th-anniversary celebration will take place on Saturday, April 6 at the Malcom American Legion Hall and will feature a series of exciting activities and events, including a nostalgic walk down memory lane with a display of team memorabilia, a chance to meet both past and current team members, and a gala dinner where those present can toast to the enduring spirit of BGM wrestling. "Your presence at this momentous occasion is of utmost importance to us, as your contributions to our team's history have left an indelible mark," noted BGM Wrestling Coach Wyatt Bauman. Please RSVP by March 22 to ensure your spot at this special event. We can't wait to welcome you back, reminisce about the good old days, and celebrate 50 years of BGM Wrestling excellence! Timeline 5 p.m. - Social Hour 6:15 p.m. - Introductions 6:30 p.m. - Dinner 7:30 p.m. - Raffles 7:45 p.m. - Speakers/Presentation Get ready to light up the night at Brooklyn’s Teen Flashlight Easter Egg Hunt at BGM Football Field on Wednesday, March 27, starting at 8:30 p.m. Teens in 7th-12th Grades, grab your flashlights and get ready for an egg-citing adventure. We kick things off promptly at 8:30 p.m., so don't be fashionably late or you'll miss out on all the cash and candy-filled eggs! Challenge your friends and classmates to see who can find the most eggs. Remember to bundle up to stay cozy, and don't forget your flashlights and Easter baskets for a night of fun under the stars! Brooklyn's Annual Easter Egg Hunt is slated for Saturday, March 30 at Landes Park. The event is open to all children Ages 2 to 6th Grade.The event kicks off promptly at 9:30 a.m. Don't be late and don't forget your basket!!
|
Archives
April 2024
Categories |