Northeast iowa resource conservation & development (RC & D) works with partners from throughout our region to explore natural resource based economic development opportunities while at the same time…

Northeast iowa resource conservation & development (RC & D) works with partners from throughout our region to explore natural resource based economic development opportunities while at the same time protecting and enhancing natural resources. This project, revitalizing northeast iowa orchards: assisting farmers and businesses by developing a strategic marketing campaign and providing access to a mobile juice press aims to create economic opportunities for rural northeast iowa producers by providing emerging and expanding orchard owners access to an orchard education and training initiative, driftless area branding campaign, and access to a mobile juice press and trained operators. This project builds upon conversations to allow rural producers to overcome barriers and have an opportunity to sell to cider makers (convergence cidery),local food enterprises (oneota CO-OP, iowa food hub, and decorah farmers market),and other regional stakeholders. As a result, small family farms in rural iowa will be able maximize their production capacity by utilizing 2NDS and "defective" apples/pears that previously had no revenue value. The increased economic potential will lead to more orchard owners being able to maintain and expand their operations, thereby allowing for the long-term sustainability of these orchards past the lifetime of the grant and expanding consumer access to locally produced food in the driftless area.