If you’re a vegetable grower, you’re probably familiar with high tunnels and low tunnels. But what are mesotunnels? All three of these tunnel types are used to create some sort of protective barrier between crops and the environment. “Meso” means “middle,” so mesotunnels are medium-size tunnels – taller than low tunnels and shorter than high . . . read more

The newest commercial vegetable and specialty crop specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach knows the needs and concerns of the industry. Dan Fillius, who will begin his new role June 7, has spent the last three years as a produce safety specialist, helping fruit and vegetable producers comply with the Food Safety Modernization . . . read more

Joe HannanExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-993-4281jmhannan@iastate.edu Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will offer voluntary, on-farm assessments to Iowa fruit and vegetable growers in preparation for Food and Drug Administration farm inspections conducted under the Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule. The On-Farm Produce Safety Team will offer voluntary On-Farm Readiness Reviews to farms that . . . read more

Shannon M. ColemanFood Science and Human Nutrition515-294-9011scoleman@iastate.edu Throughout the state, farmers markets are opening for the season, providing many opportunities for Iowans to sell home-prepared foods. This part of the U.S. food supply chain is known as the cottage food industry and cottage food producers are subject to certain regulations. Iowa State University Extension and . . . read more

Kaley HohenshellProgram Coordinator515-745-2401kaleyh@iastate.edu The COVID-19 pandemic emphasized the importance of resilient local food systems. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has transitioned its nationally recognized Local Food Leader professional development certification course to a virtual format. This certification includes cohort workshops hosted through Zoom and online curricula through Moodle. The first online workshop of 2021 . . . read more

A popular source of online information for the agricultural industry in Iowa has a new and improved look. The Ag Decision Maker, published by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, unveiled a new design Jan. 16. The new site offers the same timely information Iowans and farmers across the Midwest have depended on for years, but . . . read more

The Sustainable Iowa Land Trust (SILT), a statewide nonprofit that works with landowners to permanently dedicate their land to table food and market farming, will host a virtual showcase of Buffalo Ridge Orchard, a Central City, Iowa-based farm, on March 9. The showcase is designed to help Iowa landowners and heirs to land who are . . . read more

The 2021 Iowa Specialty Producers Conference, moved virtual for the first time due to COVID-19 restrictions, was held Jan. 19 & 20, 2021, and event organizers are calling it a success.   “We were fortunate to be able to still provide the same top notch speakers and a wide variety of quality programming to fulfill continuing educational needs . . . read more

Joe HannanExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-993-4281jmhannan@iastate.edu The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Pesticide Bureau has approved a continuing instruction course for fruit and vegetable commercial (Category 1D) and private pesticide applicators. The training session is scheduled for Feb. 22 from 9-11:20 a.m. and is separate from the Iowa Specialty Producers Conference this year.  For . . . read more

Ajay NairExtension Commercial Horticulture Specialist515-294-7080nairajay@iastate.edu Specialty crop growers experienced a wild year in 2020, with complications from the drought, derecho and the COVID-19 pandemic. This trio of events served as a reminder for many growers about the importance of risk management and being prepared for rapid change. While many specialty crop growers saw increased demand . . . read more