We had a GREAT meeting last Monday at the Shaky Tree Coffee Shop in Spencer. A special THANK-YOU goes to Micah for his hospitality. Wish more of you could have made it but we do understand that this is a busy time of year. We also seem to be meeting ourselves coming and going.

GREAT NEWS!!!!!!!!!!

We have formed a "Farm Group", that will not only consist of farmers but artisans and other interested persons as well. Heading this group will be Kirk & Sonia Brown from Newell. They farm "Certified Organically" and raise mostly grains and hay. Our Main focus right now is the organizing and promotion of local, small family farmers. Other artisans will contribute to this and eventually form their own specialized groups.

We have speakers from such places as:

• Floyd Boulevard Local Foods Market –Pat Garrity & Dennis Schuett –Sioux City
• RC&D Carroll County –Rick Tafoya –an 80 member farm coop
• Many, more speakers have voiced interest in speaking.
• Local farmers will speak about their product and farming practices.
• Local radio station and newspapers have called for interviews so watch for these in the next few months.

We have local committed farmers from 11 county in Iowa and several in Minnesota, Nebraska and South Dakota. We are looking for others to help head the newly formed farm group with Kirk and Sonia Brown. We would like to see those with these expertise’s included:

• An additional "Certified Organically Grown" member
• A "Certified Naturally Grown" member
• An 80% or more organically grown but not certified member
• An 80% or less organically grown member
• A traditional grower member
• 1 or 2 craftsman and artisan member

We'll keep you posted as to the next meeting, so until them,