Are you looking for garden seeds?

The South Sioux City Optimist are teaming with Seed Savers Exchange and the South Sioux City Public Library to raise money to purchase garden tools for the South Sioux City community garden projects. They will be selling Seeds to Grow heirloom seed packets at the public library. Heirloom seeds are currently one of the most popular items to grow. Besides great tasting and more nutritious, you can save the seeds and replant again and again. The packets you can purchase are:

(Each packet of seeds cost $10.00. Each packet consist of 4 packs of seeds that retail for $2.95 each)

#1 Big Salad Bowl:  Seed Savers Lettuce Mixture, Isis Candy Cherry Tomato, French Breakfast Radish, Bushy Cucumber

#2 Container Magic: Silvery Fir Tree Tomato, Swiss Chard Five Color Silverbeet, Empress of India Nasturium, Purple Dark Opal Basil

#3 Kids Favorites: Two Inch Strawberry Popcorn, Sunflower Mixture, Purple Podded Pole Bean, Moon and Stars Watermelon

#4 Pizza Party: Jimmy Nardello’s Pepper, Genovese Basil, Italian Heirloom Tomato, Greek Oregano

#5 Heritage Garden: Grandpa Admire’s Lettuce, Grandpa Ott’s Morning Glory, Boston Marrow Squash, Chioggia Beet

#6 Flower Passion: Sea Shells Cosmos, Red Marietta Marigold, Black Velvet Nasturium, Irish Eyes Sunflower

Money raised will go to purchase gardening tools for the community garden sites located in South Sioux City. Stop in the SSC Public Library and sign up for your garden seeds. 

Do you feel like you are ready for spring? The temperature in Sioux City is forecasted to be in the upper sixties today, so it will sure feel like I’m ready! In addition to the rising temperatures, I am feeling geared up for the growing season after listening to some great speakers in February.

On Februrary 16 the Iowa Organic Association held a “State of Organics” meeting at the New Shoots Farm store, Bakery, and Café in Emmetsburg. Attendees discussed the trends and statistics of organic farming in Iowa. You can find the Organic Trade Associations 2011 Industry Survey here. Farmers also had an opportunity to hear from industry and cooperative representatives. 

Harn Soper of New Shoots Farm in Emmetsburg also spoke. If you haven’t heard the news, New Shoots is an exciting new venture. On the production end, they’re focusing on vegetables, grains and grassfed meat. Further along on the food cycle, they have a café and retail space for farm fresh foods and local products. New Shoots is definitely a diverse farm! The farmstore and café has been open for business since March 1. Check it out if you’re in the area!

On February 17 Flavors of Northwest Iowa and The Security Institute held a Food Safety workshop in Le Mars featuring Atina Diffley from Organic Farming Works, formerly owner of a large vegetable farm near Minneapolis. WOW! Diffley blew me away with her philosophy and practices of organic weed management and post-harvest practices.

For example (farmers out there might know this, but for the rest of us…), Diffley recommends researching and familiarizing yourself with all of the properties of the plants in your gardens and crops--including weeds. Did you know: “You can grow weeds as a soil-building crop. You can make it part of your rotation before you plant your cash crop.” Diffley also said, “Instead of thinking of weeds as the enemy, think of them as one more tool in your toolbox. Work with them to get what you want.”

After hearing Diffley, I will never look at weeds the same way again. And as for food safety, the practices that keep produce fresh from farm to market are the same ones that will keep it safe from contaminants if done right. Food safety is a large part of raising high quality produce. I’m impressed with local farmers attention to this issue, and hope to see more with food safety plans in place on their farms. To learn more about food safety, take a look at resources from ISU Extension and Outreach or contact me.

I’m interested in getting some feedback from readers this month. What is your weed philosophy and how do you manage weeds in your garden? Post below!

Just like we can't wait to slice into the first 2012 tomato, we're anticipating great food from these people and places this coming season. Here's Flavors of Northwest Iowa's sneak peak at the top ten local foodie finds on our radar:

Upper Missouri Valley Local Foods Project (UMVLFP) and the Red Earth Coop
UMVLFP (http://www.umvlocalfoods.org/) has been working toward building small food processing center for a long time, and it’s becoming a reality in 2012! Housed in a beautiful, historic building in Vermillion, SD, the Red Earth Coop and conjoined processing center is currently under renovations with plans to re-open March-April 2012. In the meantime, the team is holding a series of meetings and could use your help! Get involved by e-mailing info@umvlocalfoods.org.

Chef Paul: Real Food, Inc.
He’s been a staple chef in the local food scene around Sioux City for many years. Last year he helped pull off the first ever farm-to-fork culinary tour and now he’s cooking up yet another great idea. Totally local in inception, procurement, design, labor, and renovation, he’s converting a retro Airstream trailer into a mobile restaurant. You’ll soon see “Sproutstrem” (our favorite nickname) rolling across the region serving up fresh, local, organic cuisine. Follow Flavors for updates—we’ll keep you in the loop!

Schools: What are YOUR kids eating?
There are a number of schools in the region who have been putting in gardens, incorporating vegetable growing into their Biology curriculum, and trying to add fresh, locally grown foods into kids’ lunches. On our radar in 2012 is Lunchtime Solutions out of North Sioux City, South Dakota. Lunchtime Solutions manages the lunch programs in 38 school districts in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri. Six of their districts in South Dakota (Vermillion, Dakota Valley, Madison Central, Flandreau, Sioux Valley, and Dell Rapics) added home-style beef chili to their menus in January—using organic locally raised beef  from the Cook Family Farm in Adrian, MN. We can’t wait to see what might be next for farm-to-school. Parents: let us know if you have an interest in fresh, healthy, local foods at YOUR school or share your schools’ current farm-to-school project to be featured on the Flavors blog!

South Sioux City, NE
Joining Marcus, Quimby, Holstein, Ida Grove, Salix, and Onawa in the ranks of new and/or emerging farmers markets will be South Sioux City, NE. We just love the little city—with its bike trails along the river, one of our favorite fresh Italian restaurants (Tratorria Fresco), and its proximity to Cardinal Farms tomatoes among other great qualities. So what’s not to love about their new efforts to add another market day to the Siouxland area?! Intended to be complimentary to the Sioux City Farmers Market, South Sioux City is looking to offer a farmers market incorporating their successful community gardeners on Sunday afternoons. Follow the Center for Rural Affairs for more information.

Dan Avery: Dakota Earth Artisan Italian
Seriously. I had no idea there were so many different flavors of pasta! Artisan Italian is the name of Dakota Earth’s pasta line. An upwards of 43 gourmet flavors available leave me scratching my head, wondering how Dan has so much energy every time I see him. No hydrogenated oils, no transfats, high fiber, no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives, low sodium, MSG free, GMO free, and a good source of whole grain, Artisan Italian pastas are made using organic whole grain flour with organic fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices. Oh, and did I mention they taste amazing?? Visit Dakota Earth website and Artisan Italian website to learn more and find out where you pick up your favorite flavors in 2012!

The Little Sioux Growers Cooperative, Spirit Lake, IA
Flavors is just starting to get familiar with our friends to the north in the Great Lakes region but the Little Sioux Growers Cooperative preceded with their reputation as one of the most successful growers groups in the region. You may have tasted some of the fresh produce grown by the members at Maxwells, Minervas, La Chiesa, and Rababs in Spirit Lake last year. This year, you can order fresh produce directly from them, delivered to a convenient location near you in Spirit Lake and Spencer! Check out their website: http://www.littlesiouxgrowers.com/

Getting's Garden
I ran into the Gettings recently at the High Tunnel Production workshop ISU Extension offered last month. Frantically, I informed them that “I’m down to my last frozen quart of your strawberries!” Apparently, I was far from the first one to tell them this. Each January around the same time, strawberry loyalists from across the region open their freezers to discover that they are out of Getting’s strawberries. It is a sad, sad day. Our only consolation is that Getting’s Garden will open during strawberry season in 2012! Like them on Facebook to follow the countdown to opening day. Do yourself a favor and pick one more flat than you think you will eat. You will thank yourself next January.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Farms
Popular for over a decade across the country, we’re seeing more of them popping up in our neck of the woods! These are three that I know of:
The Cornucopia, Sioux Center, IA (712-490-1004)
Eden Valley Apple Orchard and Farm, Akron, IA (712-540-0127)
Heikes Family Farm, Vermillion, SD (605-222-3949)

Sioux City Farmers' Market
One festival a month?! Continuing on with a Monday evening market?! Even MORE vendors, food, and musicians on site?! The Sioux City Farmers Market opens May 9 for the Wed. and Sat. markets and July 16 for Mondays. Watch for exciting new events happening down at the market in 2012!

Flavors of Northwest Iowa, of course
Gear up for more farm-to-fork culinary tours! Planning is underway. We’re also hosting a series of FUN local food summits across the region. Yes! It’s going to be a local food roadshow. You won’t want to miss it when we come to a city near YOU!

You’ve seen his mead stand at Riverssance for the last five years and you saw him at the Sioux City Innovation Market last year. In fact, you saw him take first prize for “Sioux City’s First Winery.” Pretty innovative, right? But the winery itself isn’t the only innovative piece to Joe’s business. Joe Hannel has been experimenting with wild and local fruits in his wine recipes, perfecting variations using wild grapes, his own homegrown yellow raspberries, and other unique varieties. Always trying to keep the wines and meads as natural as possible, he seeks out the natural flavors of the region.

And he’s made some great discoveries! One up and coming wine you’ll see debuting in 2012 is his new aronia berry recipe. And for the mead-loving Riverssance folks he has an aronia mead for you, too. Aronias are high antioxidant berries that are quickly becoming popular among food producers and health-conscious consumers. The berries featured in his wine are from Eden Valley Orchard in Akron, IA. While Hannel is excited about the berry, he’s even fonder of the flavor. It isn’t finished fermenting but it already has a pleasant earthy flavor that makes you feel as though you’re drinking it straight from Eden Valley bushes!

Other new wines coming out this spring and summer are Cherry Pie, Strawberry Rhubarb, Pomegranate Mead, and Apricot Mead. Hannel will add these to his staples of peach, pear, apple, cranberry, wild grape and spiced variations. You’re lucky to come across his specialty batches of strawberry, black raspberry, or whatever else he dreams up.

There will be many chances to see Joe and try his wines. He’ll be speaking at the Innovation Market Tuesday, February 7, 5:30 p.m. (register to attend at http://siouxcitygo.com/innovation-market/ by this Friday 2/1). Joe attributes the Market with providing a great space to meet new business contacts, network, and expand on innovative ideas. “We [Sioux City] have so much to offer,” Joe says. He’s looking forward to seeing more ideas come forth and blossom this year. I mean, literally, is anyone interested in blossoming more fruit? Because he’s always looking for new local sources!

Try Hannel Cellars wine by picking up a bottle at Helle Hometown Variety in Sergeant Bluff. Or you can meet Joe at the Sioux City Farmers Market and other fun festivals this summer. The Market opens May 9. Take it from me, you’re going to want to be one of the first to pick up his Cherry Pie wine—it’s unexpectedly tarty! In the meantime, you can request a private tasting or stop by Sioux City's First Winery by calling 712-255-0075. Don't forget to visit Hannel Cellars Winery on Facebook!

Think California is the mecca of locally grown foods? Think again! Our markets in northwest Iowa rival those of San Francisco, Oakland, and Sacramento. When you work as a foodie for a living, work blends into your off-season vacation. So for this post I bring news from my latest road trip through California! 

Aside from the excitement of being able to purchase a 100% local and organic meal at a random restaurant on a street without having to hunt it down, timing my trip during kiwi and persimmon season, and getting to sample fresh fruits I've never tasted before, the trip bolstered and re-energized my appreciation for locally grown foods in Iowa even MORE (didn't know THAT was possible!). Iowa's farmers markets hold their own compared to a state that is thought of to be more fruit-and-vegetable-minded than the corn-and-soybean crowd. That being said, we can, of course, still gather some pointers from California agriculture in order to diversify and improve our own fruit and vegetable production and consumption. Take a peek at the food highlights from the trip:

Every farmers market across the globe has their unique attributes and specialty in fresh products. But squelch any lingering notion that smaller, rural farmers markets in Iowa don't match up to the quality and variety of market produce on the coasts. Coordinating Flavors of Northwest Iowa for a year and a half now, I am seeing continual growth. We're offering more workshops for growers to keep growing. We're extending our season, investing in high-tech sustainable solutions in agriculture, seeing new farmers markets starting each year (we saw 5 new ones in 2011 alone), adding variety to market selections, hosting local food dinners, and a whole lot of new and exciting regional food projects in the dockets for 2012!

So as you read all of the "Best Of" lists from 2011 don't forget to include "Iowa Farmers Markets" in your "Best of 2011 Food" list. It's definitely in mine! Join me in the countdown to the opening of our local farmers markets in 2012. We won't be seeing persimmons and kiwi but we'll be showcasing our own delicious, unique native foods. What's more is we're doing it well, very well. Our Iowa fruit and vegetable farmers are skilled at what they do. Let's make it our collective New Years Resolution to head to our fantastic local markets to eat fresh, healthy, and sustainable food grown by our very own.

It's the day before the big feast. Time to get a few of those stored root crops out of the cellar (if you're like me with a tendency to hoard your homegrown goodies after the farmers markets close, this can be a tough step) to cook up your favorite family recipes. The thought of the special meal may induce salivating. If you're anything like the horticulture specialists from Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota Extension (I'm sure you are), you're thoughts probably also turn to research-based education regarding the techniques that produced such fantastic produce for your meal. Right? Well, maybe you won't go so far as to pull up the latest Growers Manual from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture for some post-meal family reading material, but you might be more inclined to attend the Tri-State Fruit & Vegetable Growers Symposium next week.

Friday, December 2, 12:00-5:15 p.m.
Stoney Creek Inn, 300 3rd St, Sioux City, IA
To register call Woodbury County Extension (712) 276-2157
(we will also accept walk-in registration day-of)

We have a great schedule lined up for the day. Check out the list of speakers below. It might induce salivating...

John Ball “Specialty Crops—Not for the timid!”
While there are a multitude of opportunities in specialty crops, they are not without their challenges.  This presentation will outline some of the pitfalls of the specialty crop market and how to avoid them.
John is a Professor of Plant Science at South Dakota State University where he instructs a number of horticulture courses as well as serving as the Extension Forestry Specialist. Dr. Ball’s prior experience includes managing garden centers in the Midwest and East and working with Ball Horticultural Company.  His family operates a small acreage raising dairy goats, chickens and raspberries.

Tim Vala “Marketing Pumpkins & Fun”
Lean how Vala’s Pumpkin Patch went from a U-Pick to a 40-Day fall festival.
Tim is an Omaha city boy who started a u-pick strawberry farm 27 years ago on 6 acres, later adding 10 acres of vegetables. Vala’s Pumpkin Patch is a family business and was the winner of the “2002 North American Farmers’ Direct Marketing Association Farm Marketers of the Year” Award, has been the Gretna Area Chamber and the Sarpy County Business of the Year, and is a member of the NAFDMA Hall of Fame. Visit his website at valaspumpkinpatch.com

Patrick O’Malley “Fruit Trees”
This talk will focus on which types of fruit trees can be grown successfully in the region and the considerations for growing each of these different type of fruits. Main tree fruits to be discussed include: apple, pear (Asian and European), plum, and sour cherry.
Patrick has interests in all aspects of horticulture and has over 30 years of experience in the field.  He has always had a special affinity towards fruits and vegetables.  His formal training has been in the Midwest and Hawaii (B.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State University, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Horticulture from the University of Hawaii).  He has been able to work with both temperate and tropical plants. 

Charlie Caldwell “Aronia Berries”
Why grow aronia and what can you do with it? The aronia has infinite possibilities! Caldwell will cover the basics of aronia berries and provide growing tips on site preparation, planting, plant growth management, and harvesting.
Charlie has been growing aronia since 2005 on a certified organic 14-acre vineyard comprised of half aronia and half grapes. He is a founding member and former president of the Midwest Aronia Association and a longtime member of the Western IA Grape Growers Association.  He was recently featured on the  Iowa Public Television show b.organic.

Joe Hannan “Grape Production”
This session is all about grape production, vineyard establishment, and management for beginning grape growers.
Joe is the Commercial Horticulture Field Specialist for Central and Western IA.  He has a B.S. and an M.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State University and worked as an Agricultural Specialist for 5 years at the Muscatine Island Research and Demonstration farm in Fruitland, IA.  Joe publishes a monthly newsletter as well as a website, www.IowaProduce.org, with information for everything from production, to post harvest handling, and much more.

Chris Zdorovtsov “Ethnic Vegetable Varieties”
Learn about a variety of unique crops that can enhance and diversify your specialty vegetable market.
Chris is a Community Development Field Specialist for SDSU Extension.  She received her B.S. in Horticulture from Iowa State University and her M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences from South Dakota State University.  She has worked for the Chef’s Garden in Ohio, where she trialed specialty vegetables and herbs for high-end restaurants. Chris is the Extension liaison for the Sioux Falls Community Gardens program and education chair for Urban Agriculture Initiatives.

Keith Jarvi “Know Your Enemy”
Jarvi will cover the basics of managing insect pests organically. You will learn how to design an insect management plan through integrated pest management principles.
Keith is a native of northern Minnesota with his B.A. in Biology from Gustavus Adolphus College and M.S. in Entomology from North Dakota State University.  He has worked for the University of NE at the Northeast Research and Extension Center and Haskell Ag Lab since 1979, with an emphasis on Integrated Pest Management.  For the last 3 years he has been an Extension Educator for Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston counties in Northeast NE, with an emphasis on Crops for the Future. He has authored over 200 extension articles and publications and presented information at numerous meetings through the years.

Ben Saunders “CSA Sales”
Using a Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) model to market produce has many benefits for both the grower and the CSA members, but there are unique grower responsibilities for this type of market. Saunders will share how Turtle Farm runs their multiple-season CSA program.
Ben is the farm manager at Turtle Farm, a Certified Organic Fruit and Vegetable farm in Granger, IA.  For 16 years the farm has primarily operated as a CSA beginning with 50 members, growing to 180 families for the 2011 season (plus supplying other markets).  Ben has a B.S. in Horticulture with a fruit and vegetable emphasis from Iowa State University and has been managing Turtle Farm for 4 years.  You can visit the farm’s website at www.turtle-farm.com

There's a new CSA in the region! With delivery routes to Akron, Vermillion, LeMars, and Sioux City, Tony and Jennifer Heisterkamp are looking to expand their vision of high quality organic fruits and vegetables at great prices. Their timing couldn't be better. With the recently projected food price index prices going up 3.5 to 4.5 percent in the coming years, CSA can be a great model for both local farmers and consumers. According to ISU Extension and Outreach Co-Director of the Agricultural Marketing Resource Service Mary Holz-Clause, "One detailed three-year study showed that CSA shareholders would have paid 37 percent more at their supermakret for conventionally grown food." Read more from AgMRC here.

Another benefit of becoming a CSA shareholder is that you can create a strong relationship to your farmer. CSA farms often invite you out to the farm, encourage you to participate in some farm activities, and keep you up-to-date on the progress of the crops. It is a fantastic way way to get to know and support local producers.

How does it work? In a CSA system, the farmer grows food for a group of shareholders or subscribers, who pledge to buy a portion of the farm’s crop that season. This arrangement gives growers up-front cash to finance their operation and higher prices since the middleperson has been eliminated. Most CSAs are organized with produce, but some are adding meat products. The  four types of CSAs are:

• Subscription or farmer-driven - The farmer organizes the CSA and makes most of the management decisions. The shareholder or subscriber is not very involved in the farm. This kind of CSA is quickly becoming the most common.
• Shareholder or consumer-driven - Consumers organize the CSA and hire the farmer to grow what they want. The consumers make most of the decisions. This model is often used in the Northeast.
• Farmer cooperative - This is a farmer-driven CSA in which two or more farms pool their resources to supply customers.
• Farmer-consumer cooperative - The farmer and consumer co-own land and other resources and work together to produce food.

We are lucky to have two CSA farms in our region. You are welcome to come to the above meeting (Sunday, Nov. 13, 7:00 p.m.) to learn more about our Flavors of Northwest Iowa program and Community Supported Agriculture with a special feature from Eden Valley Orchard & Farm providing information about their orchard and new CSA start-up.

You can also contact John and Janna Wesselius at The Cornucopia about their CSA deliveries to Orange City, Sioux Center, and Sioux City. Visit The Cornucopia Facebook page to learn more about joining their CSA or call/e-mail them at (712) 490-8218, jhw@mtcnet.net

So while you're craving homegrown food this winter, relax knowing that you are happily supporting local food farmers. Fill your dreams with anticipation of your share box full of fresh, healthy vegetables headed your way in the Spring!

Question: When is the best time to plant a tree?
Answer: 10 years ago!
Do you want your trees to look like this photo below?

Then plant now! Fall is the third best time to plant a tree, says DeBoer Tree Farm owner Kevin DeBoer. The second is Springtime. "You plant when the tree is dormant," Kevin explains. With DeBoer's 1-year tree garuntee policy you may as well get a start on the planting by taking a trip to the farm this Fall. It's the perfect time of year to take the National Loess Hills Scenic Byway Loop as well as stop off at DeBoers to contribute to the natural beauty you just witnessed.

Take a peek at DeBoer's large selection at www.deboertreefarm.com. If it is fruit trees you are looking for (this is a food blog, after all), he has those, too. Notify him by March or earlier this Spring to request special varieties that interest you. Or maybe you've heard to buzz about the aronia berry? He's hoping to supply those healthy berry bushes soon! Whatever you're looking for, you'll enjoy the drive out to the tree farm (and the prices).

A special bonus about shopping locally at the farm is that you might get a glimpse of the oh-so-soft alpacas...

Or the barn that's suspect to have hosted the elusive Jessie James gang on their exploits through Iowa barns!

DeBoer tree farm is located 4 miles north of LeMars, IA on Highway 75 and 9.5 miles West on C-16 or 0.5 miles East of K22 at 23575 C16, Akron IA. Happy fall tree planting!

So what have the locavores (see definition here) in the area been up to?

This bare wall and bricks room in the back of the Upper Missouri Valley Local Foods Farm and Market (108B E. Main Street, Vermillin, SD 57069) is on its way to being transformed into a small-scale local foods processing center. And from the looks of those gathered at the first planning meeting for the formation of a new local food coop and local food non-profit organization, also a gathering place (or food hub, if you will) for some tasty local specialties. Tony Heisterkamp of Eden Valley Orchard and Martin Kleinschmit, an organic grassfed beef farmer out of Hartington, NE both stood to talk about their operations and hopeful future involvement.

Check out the slideshow of the local food meal we had at the meeting:

 After that I caught up with Dennis McDonald at his presentation at Buena Vista University. He's also been working with a group of farmers, a little further east from Vermillion based out of Spirit Lake, IA. The Iowa Lakes Local Food Initiative aggregates locally grown food from farmers to distribute to various restaurants, schools. They're looking to add universities to that list in the near future!

The group of students from SCATE (Students Concerned About Tomorrow's Environment) like the sound of that idea after helping preparing and sampling locally grown and grilled onion, potato, and zuchinni. Homemade butternut squash, sage, and onion soup was also part of Dennis's presentation about the state of our current food system and local solutions.

So basically, the locavores have been up to some great new projects. We have, of course, been eating very VERY well too!

Ahhh, Fall. Time for walks in the brisk wind followed by, you guessed it, a cup of tea with a spoonful of honey in it. And there's no better place to get it then from your local beekeeper. I know of a few in the area (Lloyd Reineke with The Flying Honey Bee can be found at the Cherokee, Quimby, and Marcus farmers markets as well as A Taste of Country near Holstein and Green Acres Greenhouse near Smithland) but recently was able to get a firsthand look at one step of honey production from Alvin Skow at the Sioux City Farmers Market. Extraction:

Skow sold the equipment in the video and upgraded to a new electric-powered system to improve his production of raw honey. This mean Skows honey is unheated, unpasteurized, and unprocessed. 

You can get your honey fix from the Skows Wednesday and Saturday mornings from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sioux City Farmers Market through Oct. 29.